Both Parties See Winning Issue in 2004 Tax Vote

RICHMOND -- Democrats and Republicans are mounting aggressive campaigns to win House of Delegates seats in Northern Virginia by invoking last year's state tax package, as Gov. Mark R. Warner's signature program continues to reverberate in state politics.

In taking on incumbent delegates, Democrats are highlighting Republicans' opposition to the 2004 budget package that funded education, health care and public safety initiatives. Republican candidates are arguing that the tax package was bad for Northern Virginia because it didn't bring home money for transportation projects and the region does not receive an equitable share of the revenue raised.

All 100 House of Delegates seats statewide are up for election this year.

Democratic leaders said they think the popularity of the initiatives, as reflected in several statewide polls, gives them a powerful message to run on in the Washington suburbs.

A Washington Post poll conducted Sept. 6 to 9 found that the budget plan backed by Warner, which will raise $1.5 billion over two years, is supported widely.

"It's not a coincidence," Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said of the party's campaign theme. "These are some of the members who most aggressively and most vigorously opposed the budget reform package."

The package was passed after 17 House Republicans joined with Warner and the state Senate to support the tax increases. Only one of the mavericks, Harry J. Parrish (R-Manassas), is being challenged by Democrats in the Nov. 8 election.

Democrats in Northern Virginia are targeting Dels. Richard H. Black (Loudoun), David B. Albo (Fairfax) and Robert G. Marshall, Jeffrey M. Frederick and Michele B. McQuigg (all of Prince William). For Albo, Marshall and McQuigg, it's the first challenge they have had in several election cycles, according to state records.

Several Northern Virginia Democratic candidates said Republican opposition to the tax package would be central to their platforms. Others said their foes' opposition was out of step with their districts.

"I'm running because of my opponent's ineffectiveness in office, and his failure to support last year's budget reform is certainly a piece of that," said David Poisson, who is challenging Black, one of the General Assembly's most conservative members. Democratic sources who spoke on condition that their names not be used said party polls have Poisson within striking distance of the four-term delegate.

Republican incumbents countered by pointing out that the tax package did not include money for road and rail projects. Indeed, of the $1.5 billion raised, hardly any was spent on transportation.

Republican challengers are using the same argument in races against incumbent Democratic Dels. Stephen C. Shannon, Mark D. Sickles and Vivian E. Watts, all of Fairfax.