Transportation, Schools On Candidates' Minds

Primary for 52nd House Seat Is Tuesday

An ex-Secret Service agent and a Baptist pastor are trying to clench the Democratic nomination needed to enter the final race for eastern Prince William County's delegate seat.

Tuesday's primary winner, either Michael A. Hodge or Luke Torian, will face Republican Rafael Lopez in the battle for the 52nd House District seat in November's election. Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, who lost his post as Virginia Republican Party chairman in April, did not seek reelection.

Frederick has served the district that encompasses Quantico, Dumfries, Triangle, Montclair, Southbridge and Woodbridge for three terms.

Hodge, a D.C. native, said he has spent most of his life serving the country, with the Marine Corps and the Secret Service, where he protected the past four presidents.

Now, he said, it's time to serve the community he moved to seven years ago, acting as its voice in Richmond.

Hodge said one of his priorities would be to enhance the county's commercial sector by providing financial incentives to businesses that create well-paying jobs. He said he would support legislation that would reduce the tax burden placed on small companies.

"We have land in Prince William that sits there unused, and that doesn't make any sense," said Hodge, 48. "We already have the workforce here, so we need to find ways to keep them in the area."

On the transportation front, Hodge said, it is time to raise the gas tax to expand the number of mass transit options. He supports bringing Metro to the county, as well as enhancing rail and bus systems. Larger commuter lots would encourage slugging, a practice in which carpoolers, known as "slugs," accept free rides from strangers, allowing drivers to use HOV lanes that require a minimum of three passengers per vehicle during rush hours.

As a father of five and an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia, Hodge said, he is passionate about education issues. Teachers need more planning time and higher salaries, and colleges need to better prepare students for life after school by offering workforce development programs, he said.

Like Hodge, Torian, 51, said he is a staunch schools supporter. He said that teachers need to get yearly raises and that more reading specialists are needed in classrooms.

"It is important we keep teacher salaries competitive with surrounding jurisdictions," he said. "We want our teachers to know we appreciate them and the work they do."

Torian, who leads First Mount Zion Baptist Church, moved to Prince William in 1995 with his wife and daughter. Over the past 14 years, he said, he has proved his leadership capabilities by turning a once small church into a prosperous worship center that serves more than 3,700 people.

If elected, Torian said, he will "work vigorously" to bring the Metro and more rail and bus services to Prince William. The money for the projects could come not only from state and federal funds, Torian said, but also through partnerships with businesses.

Torian said with more mass transit options in place, it would be easier to expand the commercial sector and bring "corporate America" to the county. The Route 1 corridor in particular, Torian said, is a place where he would target commercial growth.