endorsement

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Bomb Threat on DCA Flight — There were some tense moments at Reagan National Airport yesterday after a flight from Dayton, Ohio was sequestered and searched for explosives. Nothing was found, however. An individual who made a bomb threat at the Dayton airport ticket counter was taken into custody, the FBI said. [Bloomberg]

New Principals Named — Arlington Public Schools have named two new principals. Kenwyn Schaffner has been named the principal of Jamestown Elementary School and Bridget Loft has been named the principal of Swanson Middle School. “Ms. Loft was greeted by cheers and a standing ovation when she was introduced to the Swanson staff after the announcement of appointment,” an insider tells us. [Arlington Public Schools]

Rousselot Endorses Areizaga-Soto — Former Arlington County Democratic Committee Chair Peter Rousselot has endorsed Jaime Areizaga-Soto in his primary battle against Arlington County Board member Barbara Favola for state Senate. [JaimeForSenate.com]

ART Drivers File Human Rights Complaint — Striking Arlington Transit bus drivers have filed a complaint with the Arlington Human Rights Commission, claiming “ongoing sexual harassment from county contractor Forsythe Transportation.” [Washington Examiner]

Jogging With Grassley — Part-time Arlington resident Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) recently went jogging through his neighborhood with 15 young constituents who were in town for the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. [ECT.coop]

Flickr pool photo by Christaki

Whipple Endorses Lopez in Delegate Race

By ARLnow.com

(Update at 2:15 p.m.) A local Democratic candidate for the House of Delegates has picked up a significant endorsement. Alfonso Lopez was just endorsed by retiring state Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple.

“Alfonso has been a leader on environmental issues that have been my passion in Richmond,” Whipple said in a statement. “[He] has a long record of fighting for our community and has the depth of knowledge on the issues that will make him an effective representative for the 49th District.”

Lopez, formerly an assistant administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Stephanie Clifford, formerly an events coordinator at the Podesta Group lobbying firm, will be facing off in the Aug. 23 Democratic primary for Virginia’s 49th District, which consists of parts of north and south Arlington.

Lopez has been endorsed by Arlington County Board Chair Chris Zimmerman, Arlington Sheriff Beth Arthur, Arlington County School Board member Emma Violand Sanchez and former Virginia Lt. Gov. candidate Jody Wagner. Clifford has been endorsed by Arlington Commissioner of the Revenue Ingrid Morroy, Arlington Treasurer Frank O’Leary, former Arlington County Democratic Committee Chair Peter Rousselot and former U.S. Congresswoman Leslie Bryne.

More State Senate Endorsements

By ARLnow.com

Libby Garvey and Del. Adam Ebbin, both trailing Rob Krupicka in fundraising, picked up some endorsements yesterday in the Democratic primary battle for the 30th District state Senate seat.

Garvey, Chair of the Arlington County School Board, received the endorsement of Fairfax County School Board member Dan Storck and Fairfax County Mt. Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland.

“Libby Garvey offers a unique combination of vision and a proven track record of getting things done,” Hyland said in a statement. “Libby is exactly the style of leader we need working for us in Richmond.”

Ebbin, meanwhile picked up endorsements from three Arlington County officials: County Board member Jay Fisette, Commissioner of Revenue Ingrid Morroy and Treasurer Frank O’Leary.

“When Arlington needed a public defender’s office to ensure the fairness of our judicial system, we turned to Adam Ebbin to help us secure the funding,” Fisette said in a statement. “When we needed him, he delivered, and will continue to do so in the Senate.”

Krupicka, an Alexandria City Councilman, has previously received endorsements from Alexandria officials like Mayor Bill Euille.

Favola Captures Key Endorsement

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) County Board member Barbara Favola’s campaign for state Senate got a boost yesterday when she announced that she had received the endorsement of Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple.

Whipple, who is retiring from the state Senate this year, called Favola “a thoughtful and caring public servant.”

“She has the experience and knowledge of the Northern Virginia community and has been a leader on regional issues, including those dealing with cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and creating a greener environment,” Whipple said in a statement. “She has an unparalleled record in human services coupled with fiscal responsibility. Barbara has first-hand knowledge of raising a child through Virginia’s public schools from kindergarten through college and the challenges our education system faces. She is a dedicated Democrat and will be a strong voice in Richmond. I can think of no one better qualified than Barbara to fill the seat for the 31st Senate District of Virginia.”

So far, no other Democrat has entered the race, although at least two are considering a run — technology consultant Ben Tribbett and attorney Jaime Areizaga-Soto.

More Endorsements for Krupicka, Ebbin

By ARLnow.com

There are two more endorsements to report in the three-way Democratic primary race for the 30th District state Senate seat.

Democratic congressman Gerry Connolly endorsed Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka over the weekend.

“Rob is an exceptionally qualified candidate, and will make an excellent addition to our region’s delegation in Richmond,” Connolly said. “Coming from local government myself, I know Rob’s service on the Alexandria City Council will be an incredible asset in the State Senate.”

Meanwhile former Rep. Leslie Byrne — the first woman to serve in Congress from Virginia — announced her endorsement of Del. Adam Ebbin today.

“Adam represents the progressive leadership this Senate District deserves,” she said in a statement. “I am proud to endorse him.”

Byrne served one term in the 11th District House seat that is currently held by Connolly.

Interviewed today by ARLnow.com, Rep. Jim Moran said he did not anticipate taking sides in the primary between Krupicka, Ebbin and Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey.

“I don’t think I’m going to,” he said. “They’re all friends.”

“I’m of course going to support whoever wins the primary,” Moran added.

Ebbin Picks Up Endorsements of N. Va. Delegates

By ARLnow.com

The battle lines are still being drawn in the race to replace state Sen. Patsy Ticer.

In the battle of endorsements, the current divisions among Democratic candidates are quite clear. Del. Adam Ebbin has the support of fellow state delegates. Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka has the support of fellow Alexandria officials. And Arlington School Board Chair Libby Garvey has the endorsement of Ticer herself.

Ebbin officially announced the endorsement of ten members of the House of Delegates from Northern Virginia this morning. Those supporting him include local Dels. Bob Brink and Patrick Hope.

“Adam Ebbin is ready to be the next Senator from District 30,” Brink said today in a statement. “With his experience in the House, he will be prepared to hit the ground running on day one.”

“A founding member of the Progressive Caucus, Adam Ebbin has a record that speaks for itself,” said Hope. “He’s a leader Northern Virginians will be able to count on in the Senate.”

The primary is scheduled for Aug. 23.

Afternoon Notes: Michael Brown Starts Work as County Manager

By ARLnow.com

County Government’s Michael Brown Era Begins — Former Savannah, Ga. city manager Michael Brown was officially appointed as Arlington’s new County Manager today, a month and a half after his hiring was first announced. Brown’s first order of business this morning was meeting with County Board Chairman Jay Fisette. He also met with his staff and spent much of the day preparing for his first board meeting, coming up this weekend. A public reception will be held in the lobby of 2100 Clarendon Blvd next Monday (May 24) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. to welcome Brown to Arlington.

Iota Jam Session Reviewed — On Thursday night, The Infamous Stringdusters rocked Iota Club and Café in Clarendon. It may be the first time a band that includes a mandolinist, a dobro player, a fiddler and a banjo player started a performance with a “six-way fist bump.” More from jambands.com.

Endorsements for Berry, Murray — Conservative Virginia politics website Bearing Drift has endorsed Matthew Berry as the only GOP candidate who “has the capacity and wherewithal to give Jim Moran a run for his money.” Meanwhile, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi has endorsed former Army colonel Patrick Murray, Berry’s opponent in next month’s eighth district primary.

DCist Does Brunch at Tallula — If you’re looking for a lumberjack-sized plate of pancakes, eggs and bacon, Tallula is not the place to find it. But the Lyon Park eatery does serve up some very artistic-looking brunch dishes that — when paired with one of Tallula’s dessert options — should satisfy all but the most voracious eaters. More from DCist.