DISTRICT 31: Democrat Roy D. Coffey, a longtime civic activist with a background in transportation planning, is a good choice for this district in Prince William and Fauquier counties. A planner who works for the Architect of the Capitol, Mr. Coffey takes a pragmatic approach to improving public transit, emphasizing improved bus networks. Republican L. Scott Lingamfelter, a 10-year incumbent, has no plan to deal with traffic and has devoted much of his energy to chasing away illegal immigrants, a federal responsibility.
DISTRICT 34: Barbara Comstock, a smart, energetic Republican freshman, seeks reelection in a district that stretches from McLean in Fairfax County to northwest Loudoun. But Ms. Comstock has taken a pledge opposing new taxes that makes a mockery of her stated commitment to tackle transportation problems. Her Democratic opponent, Pamela B. Danner, eschews such simplistic positions. A 25-year resident of McLean, Ms. Danner, a lawyer, has led the McLean Community Foundation and served on the Fairfax County Water Authority Board. Her pragmatism would be a welcome addition to the statehouse.
DISTRICT 36: Kenneth R. Plum, the longtime incumbent in this Fairfax district centered around Reston, leads the House Democratic Caucus. Experienced, savvy and practical, he has fought for funding for schools and roads, and crusaded to eliminate the death penalty and provide legal protections for gay men and lesbians. Republican Hugh “Mac” Cannon is an earnest opponent but not ready for prime time in Richmond.
DISTRICT 37: Democrat David L. Bulova, the incumbent, and his Republican challenger, Brian W. Schoeneman, have waged a civil, thoughtful race. Both are well-versed on issues affecting their district, which includes the city of Fairfax and parts of Centreville. Mr. Schoeneman is solid but has offered no compelling rationale for unseating Mr. Bulova, whose sensible stances on transportation and education make him worthy of reelection.
DISTRICT 38: First-term Democrat Kaye Kory of Fairfax’s Annandale area won against tough opponents in both the primary and general elections and did so without our endorsement. This time around, she has it, in part due to her earnest efforts to reflect constituent views on school discipline policy and in part because she has no credible opponent.
DISTRICT 39: Democrat Vivian E. Watts, who represents the Springfield and Newington areas of Fairfax, is a seasoned legislator and a bona fide expert on regional transportation issues whose popularity and strong record seem to have deterred serious opponents from running against her. She has had our endorsement in the past and has it again this year.
DISTRICT 40: Republican Timothy D. Hugo is the incumbent in this district, which sprawls from Gainesville in Prince William to Clifton in Fairfax. After a decade in Richmond, Mr. Hugo has risen to the No. 3 spot in the House leadership, a position he has used to block solutions for the state’s crumbling road network. He has advanced an agenda bashing illegal immigrants, among other things by sticking his nose into local matters such as a day laborers’ center in Centreville, which cost no state or local money. Alas, his only opponent is Dianne L. Blais, an independent whose relative lack of experience and narrow focus on a single issue — redistricting reform — mean she is not a viable alternative. We make no endorsement.
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