Still Focusing on Immigration, Miller, Rishell Reprise 2006

Race Centers On Freshman Delegate's Assembly Record

The race for House District 50 probably seems familiar to voters, and for good reason. It features the same two candidates who sparred against each other for the seat last fall and a big issue that's only gotten bigger, illegal immigration.

This time, though, incumbent Jackson Hunter Miller (R) has a record in Richmond, one that he says shows his commitment to battling illegal immigration and that Democrat Jeanette M. Rishell says shows how out of touch the assembly's Republican leaders are.

Last year, Miller defeated Rishell to fill out the term of the late Harry J. Parrish (R) in a district that includes Manassas, Manassas Park and part of Prince William County.

In his first term, Miller sponsored several bills to crack down on illegal immigrants, including a highly publicized measure that would have denied state and local funding from charities and other organizations that provide services to unauthorized immigrants. That bill passed in the House but died in a Senate committee.

If reelected, Miller, a police officer and real estate agent, vows to continue his efforts against illegal immigration, which he calls a "drain on public services." He pledges to revive some of his failed bills and push for federal training for state law enforcement and jail officials so they can start the deportation process for illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

"I was on the forefront of bringing the immigration issue to the statehouse," Miller said. "I was proud to have gone down and represented Manassas in a dignified way . . . and I look forward to going back."

Rishell said her priority is preserving the district's quality of life, which includes fighting illegal immigration. She supports $10,000 fines for employers who hire unauthorized workers.

Voters want fresh ideas, she said, and Miller's first term "was very much a reflection of the current majority party leadership." Rishell calls herself a "moderate Democrat" with grass-roots support.

"I will not be beholden," she said. "The commonwealth has drifted so far to the extreme right-wing position. . . . We're ready to come back to some balance in the General Assembly."

Miller, a Northern Virginia native who has lived in Manassas for eight years, is a former Manassas City Council member and father of two. Rishell, who is on leave from her job as a project assistant at a mortgage company, has lived in Manassas Park for 13 years. She is a mother of two and grandmother of three.

Both candidates for the booming and increasingly gridlocked district also pledge to concentrate on transportation issues.

Miller said his focus is on micro-level projects, such as improvements for the Route 28 corridor in Manassas and Prince William and pushing for the long-proposed and studied "tri-county parkway," which would link the Manassas area to Loudoun County.

Rishell said she would push for dedicated revenue for transportation projects and expansion of Virginia Railway Express. She would also rescind abusive-driving fees, which she called "poorly planned."

On that, the candidates agree. Miller said state lawmakers, himself included, "screwed up" in the execution of the fees. He said he supports the concept but wants to see it overhauled to include out-of-state drivers and exempt first-time speeders from the hefty fines.