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NEWS
October 24, 2009 -- The Washington Post Newspaper
District 39: Three candidates are vying to unseat incumbent Democrat Vivian E. Watts, whose hard work, mastery of issues and legislative savvy have earned the respect of lawmakers in both houses. Republican Joseph G. "Joe" Bury has a fine civic record but few concrete ideas and little interest in pursuing major transportation projects. Independent Green Party candidate James L. "Jim" Leslie urges better rail service and more affordable housing, and Libertarian Matt J. Cholko believes in slashing government services and taxes and ending gun regulations. None is the equal of Ms. Watts, a former state secretary of transportation.
October 21, 2009 -- Fairfax County Times Newspaper
Our Picks District 39
Watts for Delegate in the 39th
It's never a good thing when a longtime incumbent looks up to find three people battling for her seat, but Vivian Watts (D) remains the right person to lead this district. While not the most visible member of Fairfax County's delegation, Watts' record is full of legislation that has benefitted commuters, senior citizens, schoolchildren, veterans and just about everyone else who calls Fairfax home. Most recently, Watts worked tirelessly to ensure that the Capital Beltway HOT lanes project entailed more than making money and moving cars. Thanks to her efforts, sound walls accompanying the project will be higher; countless trees will be planted or preserved; and access to Inova Fairfax Hospital from the new lanes will be much easier. Through the years, the feedback we've received from the 39th District is that Watts genuinely cares about improving the lives of her constituents and knows how to work the system in Richmond.
The 39th House District includes parts of Annandale and Springfield.
NEWS ARTICLES
October 1, 2009 -- Springfield Connection
July 27, 2009 -- Meet the Candidates Broadcast
June 17,2009 -- Cox Local Edition Broadcast
PRESS ENDORSEMENTS FROM PRIOR YEARS
NOVEMBER 24, 2007 - WASHINGTON POST
District 39
Democratic incumbant Vivian E. Watts is an especially valuable House member whose political and legislative savvy have boosted Northern Virginia's quest for equitable state funding for schools, transportation, mental health and Medicaid services.
NOVEMBER 5, 2005 - WASHINGTON POST
District 39
Voters in this district are fortunate to be represented by Vivian E. Watts (D), whose intelligence, hard work, and political and legislative savvy have earned the respect of lawmakers from both parties. Her opponent, Michael J. Meunier (R), chief executive of an information and technology consulting firm, is no match.
NOVEMBER 2, 2005 - SPRINGFIELD CONNECTION
Watts in the 39th
Del. Vivian Watts (D), 65, who served in the House of Delegates in the 1980s and currently since 1996, is the former executive director of Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates and a former Secretary of Transportation and Public Safety. Her intelligence, experience and dedication to community make her an important choice to return to Richmond.
OCTOBER 28, 2005 - SPRINGFIELD CONNECTION
Watts in the 39th
We have to agree with Vivian Watts that she still has a tremendous amount to offer and she is still needed in the House of Delegates. Her experience and perspective are badly needed in a legislative body where institutional knowledge is in short supply.
While Watts recognizes that overall in Northern Virginia, transportation is the top issue, in her district, the rising influence of gangs is of primary concern.
“As a member of the Criminal Laws Subcommittee, we’ve passed the toughest anti-gang laws in the nation,” Watts says. “But we need additional local, state and federal law enforcement personnel — as well as local health and housing inspectors — and we need them working cooperatively to penetrate into gangs and convict those who drive the violence.”
The demographics of her Annandale/Springfield district mean Watts has to be prepared to grapple with quality of life issues beyond traffic, including multiple families living in single-family homes, blighted properties and neighborhood parking issues. She has been effective in building bridges for solutions with local officials as well.
It’s too bad that Watts has been drawn into some hand-to-hand combat by some of the less-than-optimal tactics of her energetic and well-funded opponent, Michael Meunier (R).
Meunier could have much to offer in future political activism. “When I grew up [in Egypt], I didn’t have a voice in anything,” said Meunier, who didn’t have electricity until he was 10 years old. “I appreciate democracy more than most people do.”
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