election

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Zpizza Opens in Rosslyn — Office-dwellers in Rosslyn have another lunchtime option. Local pizza chain Zpizza has opened next to the Baja Fresh at 1100 Wilson Boulevard. [TBD]

Alexandria Mayor Endorses Krupicka for State Senate — Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka (D), who’s running for the state Senate seat currently held by the retiring Sen. Patsy Ticer, has received a quick if unsurprising endorsement from Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille. Ticer’s 30th District seat– which encompasses most of Alexandria and South Arlington — is also being sought by Del. Adam Ebbin and Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey. [Krupicka for State Senate]

Arlington Dems Meeting Tonight — With about half of the local elected Democratic establishment eying one another’s jobs, tonight’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting could get interesting. To wit, three out of five county board members and four out of four local House of Delegates members have been mentioned as possible candidates for higher political office this year.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

More Names Mentioned for Senate Seat — Is there a Democrat in Arlington County who’s active in local politics and who’s not thinking about running for the state Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple? Add Alan Howze, former Arlington County Democratic Committee chairman Peter Rousselot, county board member Jay Fisette and Del. Bob Brink to the five names we mentioned as possible candidates on Friday. [Sun Gazette, Washington Post]

Cava Still Hoping for Spring Opening — Construction has yet to begin on the new Cava restaurant on Clarendon Boulevard, but the owner of the upscale Greek restaurant still hopes to open by “late April or early May.” Cava currently has locations in Rockville and on Capitol Hill. [TBD]

Envirocab Still Wants to Expand — The general manager of Arlington-based Envirocab says the company is still hoping to expand. The county board rejected Envirocab’s request to add more cabs to its fleet of 50 hybrids in December. But the company says they don’t “even come close to covering the requests they get each weekend.” [WAMU]

Arlington Science Focus School Profiled — A local TV station takes a look at some of the unique learning methods at Arlington Science Focus school. [WUSA 9]

Garvey Announces Run for State Senate

By ARLnow.com

Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey made her long-expected run for the state Senate official last night.

Garvey is running for the seat of Sen. Patsy Ticer, who announced her retirement last week.  Two other Democrats, Del. Adam Ebbin and Alexandria Councilman Rob Krupicka, are expected to announce their candidacy soon.

Ticer’s state Senate seat is centered in Alexandria, but includes portions of Arlington and Fairfax.

Garvey said she’s running to help the state “put people and progress before these politics.”

“I’m running for Virginia Senate because it seems to me that we’ve reached a point in Virginia where finding a way forward is almost impossible due to political rhetoric,” Garvey said. “It’s clear that Richmond’s priorities have gotten out-of-sync with the real needs of Virginians, especially those here in Northern Virginia. I’m running because we need to start building a strong future for our children and grandchildren.”

Garvey’s full announcement is after the jump.

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State Sen. Patsy Ticer Announces Her Retirement

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 3:00 p.m.) Sen. Patsy Ticer, a Democrat who represents parts of Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax, announced her retirement on the floor of the Virginia state Senate today. Her announcement will kick off a contested Democratic primary for the seat Ticer has held since 1995.

“I finally have come to the end of the line,” she told fellow Senators. “I do not intend to run again this year. I have been in public service for a long time… it’s hard to contemplate what life will be like without it.”

“I will always miss my home away from home in Richmond,” she said, fighting back tears. “It has been the privilege of a lifetime for me to know you and an honor to be of service with you in support of this beloved state. As a member of the Senate of Virginia, I will truly miss you. Thank you.”

The Senate chamber applauded Ticer as she received hugs and flowers from colleagues. Senators from both parties then took turns sharing their memories of working with Ticer, who turned 76 in January.

“I can think of no one else, in my lifetime, who epitomizes the term ‘Southern Lady,'” said Sen. R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania).

“We will remember your grace and lady-like charms,” said Sen. Toddy Puller (D-Fairfax). “I know there are people lining up to run for the seat, but they won’t be Patsy… I’m going to miss you, friend.”

Three Democrats — Del. Adam Ebbin, Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey, and Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka — have all said they would seek Ticer’s seat if she declined to run for another term.

A Republican, Alexandria businessman Michael Maibach, told ARLnow.com that he’s thinking about pursuing the GOP nomination for the seat.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

I-395 HOT Lanes Could Be Reconsidered — Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton tells Potomac Local that should High Occupancy Toll lanes on the Beltway and I-95 prove successful, HOT lanes could still be added to I-395. On Tuesday Arlington County announced they were withdrawing their lawsuit against a planned HOT lanes project on I-395, following an announcement from VDOT that they would no longer pursue HOT lanes between Arlington and Alexandria. [Potomac Local]

DCA Baggage Handler Gets Trapped in Cargo Hold — A baggage handler at Reagan National Airport became trapped in the cargo hold of a plane after another baggage handler closed the cargo door without realizing someone was still inside. The trapped employee had to yell and pound on the ceiling to get the attention of the plane’s co-pilot. [TBD]

Webb Won’t Run for Reelection — Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) said yesterday that he will not run for reelection in 2012. The senator’s announcement opens up the race to Democratic hopefuls and should improve the chances of former Senator George Allen, who will likely win the Republican nomination. Former governor Tim Kaine is now expected to seek the Democratic nomination. Del. David Englin, who represents part of Arlington, is also said to be considering a run. [Politico]

Flickr pool photo by Jason OX4

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Has Biggest Income Jump in U.S. — The 2010 Census data is out, and Arlington had the largest jump in median income among municipalities in the United States. Median household income rose by $12,705 between 2000 and 2009. Two other Northern Virginia localities — Alexandria city and Loudoun County — were also among the biggest income gainers. [Bloomberg]

Hispanic Population Falling in Arlington — While the Hispanic population is on the rise in many parts of Virginia, new census data shows that the Hispanic population in Arlington has actually shrunk. The Hispanic population in Arlington fell 11 percent between 2000 and 2009. Arlington’s Asian population, meanwhile, jumped by 21 percent, while the non-Hispanic white population rose by 16 percent. [Washington Post]

Alexandria Happy With HOT Lanes Decision — Alexandria’s mayor says his city “has always and will always be opposed to” High Occupancy Toll lanes. Thus VDOT’s decision to scrap its plan to build HOT lanes on I-395 came as good news for Alexandria. The project was canceled largely thanks to a $1.5 million lawsuit funded by Arlington taxpayers. [Washington Examiner]

Defense Attorney Enters Race to Become Top Prosecutor — Defense attorney David Deane has officially announced his candidacy for Commonwealth’s Attorney in Arlington. Deane will be challenging Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Theo Stamos for the Democratic nomination. Stamos was recently endorsed by the Arlington Coalition of Police and the Falls Church Police Association. The top prosecutor job is being vacated by the retiring Richard Trodden. [Sun Gazette]

Flickr pool photo by Mattron

Alexandria Businessman Mulling GOP Run For State Senate

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 4:20 p.m.) Alexandria businessman Michael Maibach says he’s thinking about pursuing the GOP nomination for the state Senate seat currently held by Democrat Patsy Ticer.

“I’ve been actively considering this for the past two weeks,” Maibach said in a phone interview. He expects to announce a decision by the end of the month.

Maibach has a long resume that has led him from his native Illinois to California’s Silicon Valley to the Washington region.

As a junior at Northern Illinois University, Maibach was the first American under the age of 21 elected to public office following the passage of the 26th Amendment.

In the 1980s, Maibach worked as an assistant and later an executive with the Intel Corporation. He unsuccessfully ran for congress in California in 1992. He moved to Alexandria in 1997, while serving as head of Intel’s government affairs office.

Maibach now serves as President and CEO of the European-American Business Council.

Citing his “markets and innovation” experience, Maibach says that he would campaign on a pro-growth and pro-business platform, should he decide to run.

“I have a lot of affection for state government,” he said. “States are in charge of the business climate of the country.”

Sen. Ticer is widely expected to retire this year. Three Democrats — Del. Adam Ebbin, Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey, and Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka — have all said they would seek the seat if Ticer declines to run for another term.

Yesterday former congressional candidate Patrick Murray quashed rumors that he may be interested in running for Ticer’s seat this fall, saying that “it’s too soon” after his last campaign.

Ticer serves Virginia’s 30th Senatorial district, which includes parts of South Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County. The state’s redistricting process may end up changing the district’s borders this spring.

Murray Blasts Moran, Setting Up Possible Electoral Rematch

By ARLnow.com

Former Republican congressional candidate Patrick Murray has sent an email to supporters blasting Rep. Jim Moran (D), the man who defeated him in last year’s mid-term election.

On Thursday, Moran started taking heat for comments that he made to a U.S. government-sponsored Arab TV network regarding Americans’ attitudes toward having an African American president. Now Murray is piling on, calling Moran’s comments “wildly inaccurate” and “un-American” in the email reprinted below (after the jump).

Murray, a retired Army colonel who Moran defeated by a 24-point margin, has been lying low since November, but he has maintained his email list and recently set up a new web site. The latest email suggests he may be relishing a rematch against Moran, who he accuses of denigrating his military service.

Reached by phone this afternoon, Murray confirmed that he’s “leaning toward running again.”

“I’ve left the campaign open for a reason,” Murray said. “I’m inclined not to give up after one run, but it’s too early to say.”

“I haven’t ruled anything out for 2012,” Murray added. “I’m committed to this area, I’m committed to the political process, and I’m committed to the Republican party.”

Murray quashed rumors that he may be interested in running for state Sen. Patsy Ticer’s seat this fall.

“It’s too soon after this last campaign, I think,” Murary said, adding that he would support the Republican candidate in the race.

Ticer is widely expected to retire this year. Three Democrats — Del. Adam Ebbin, Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey, and Alexandria City Council member Rob Krupicka — have all said they would seek the seat if Ticer declines to run for another term.

See Murray’s email to supporters, after the jump.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Iwo Jima Memorial Revamp Planned — One of the most memorable sights in Arlington may be getting a face lift. The 56-year-old Iwo Jima memorial is in need of a refurbishment and more frequent flag replacements, supporters say. A group, the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation, also wants to add a volunteer-staffed reception center with permanent restrooms, replacing the plastic portable toilets currently on site. [USA Today]

George Allen Wants His Senate Seat Back — Former Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) says he will run for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and formerly held by himself. The 2012 race will also feature a challenge on Allen’s right during the primary. Some fellow Republicans wasted no time portraying Allen, once thought of as a possible presidential candidate, as “one of the biggest government guys out there” and “a part of the Washington establishment.” [Washington Post]

The Planetarium Booster — Meet Alice Monet, president of the Friends of Arlington’s Donald M. Brown Planetarium group. The retired Naval Observatory astronomer and Washington-Lee grad is helping to raise money to upgrade the planetarium and keep it open for future generations. [Washington Examiner]

Yorktown High Wins Theater Award — Yorktown High School took first place at the National District One-Act Play Festival for the third time running. The competition, held in Fairfax over the weekend, showcases D.C. area theater talent. “Yorktown’s show Bottom’s Dream, an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, will advance to the Northern Region One Act Play Festival [on] Feb. 5,”  a parent tells us. “Yorktown will hold an encore performance of the show at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at Yorktown High, 5200 Yorktown Boulevard.”

Flickr pool photo by Shannon Field

Treasurer O’Leary To Hold Re-Election Kick-Off

By ARLnow.com

Arlington Treasurer Frank O’Leary will officially kick off his re-election campaign on Thursday, Jan. 6.

O’Leary, who first took office in 1984, touts his efforts to bring down the tax delinquency rate in Arlington County. The rate was nine percent shortly before he took office, and is just over one half of one percent now.

Republicans are currently looking for qualified candidates to run against O’Leary and other Democrats who are up for re-election this year.

After the jump is O’Leary’s letter to supporters announcing his re-election bid.

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Moran wins DPVA Chair, Rousselot Mulls Next Move

By ARLnow.com

A collection of party leaders voted former Del. Brian Moran (brother of Rep. Jim Moran), chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia on Saturday. Moran defeated an underdog bid by Peter Rousselot, former chair of the Arlington County Democratic Committee.

Rousselot says it was worth the trouble to advance his agenda for the state party.

“I set a reform agenda in my DPVA Chair campaign, and I gained many new supporters for reform both in Arlington and around Virginia,” he said.

At least one activist is now calling for Rousselot to pursue another intra-party fight. Ben Tribbett, who runs the Not Larry Sabatao blog, says he’s trying to convince Rousselot to challenge state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple in next year’s primary.

Tribbett cites Whipple’s endorsement of Moran for chair and her willingness to serve as a “token” Democrat on Gov. Bob McDonnell’s government reform commission as reasons why she should be unseated by a fellow Democrat.

“Senator Whipple has represented Arlington for 16 years in the State Senate without ever having a serious election where voters had a serious choice of who was best to represent Arlington,” Tribbett said. “I think after her recent actions it’s time for the voters to have a chance to speak.”

So far, Rousselot is not dismissing the idea outright.

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