Lt. Governor: Leslie L. Byrne

Party: Democrat

Age: 58

Residence: Fairfax County.

Education: Attended University of Utah; visiting professor, Mount Vernon College.

Occupation: Chief financial officer, Byrne and Associates.

Elected offices/civic activities: Member, Senate of Virginia, 2000-03, U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-94, and Virginia House of Delegates, 1986-92; past special assistant to director, United States Information Agency; past director, U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs; past president, Fairfax League of Women Voters; member, Parent Teacher Association.

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

"Education. We must improve the quality of and access to education in Virginia. We must start by providing adequate and consistent state funding to K-through-12 education. This year, the commonwealth shortchanged localities by more than $800 million. One in three Virginia ninth-graders does not graduate from high school. An increase in career-oriented education will help keep these non-college-bound students from dropping out. In the next decade, we will have 60,000 additional students in Virginia colleges and universities. We must start planning and investing for these additional students now."

Why should voters elect you?

"My experience and track record of effectiveness on issues like education, health care, transportation and the environment uniquely qualifies me to be Virginia's lieutenant governor."

Web site: http://www.lesliebyrne.org/

E-mail address: info@lesliebyrne.org