Sully District Candidates Forum: Report and Photos

The following report and photos from the Sully District (Fairfax County) candidates' forum last night comes from Sully District Democratic Committee Chair Mary Lee Cerillo. Thanks as always to my friend Mary Lee for everything she does...

What a night! We had a rally before the Sully District candidates forum [last night] with about forty Caputo supporters. Handmade posters were in abundance with all of Delegate Chuck Caputo's accomplishments over the past four years. People are ready to roll and get out the vote.

In comparison, Caputo's opponent [Jim LeMunyon] showed up to the forum with just one supporter...his campaign manager! Pretty pathetic when you look at the mailers he's been sending out to Strong Democrats bragging about how many doors he's knocked on in the 67th House of Delegates district. It sure wasn't evident tonight.

I've got to say, we have some fabulous, intelligent Democratic delegates running for office in Sully District. I'm proud of every single one of them. I wasn't surprised by LeMunyon's response to one of his flyers which claims that he believes in limited government and equal rights for all Virginians. When LeMunyon was asked about his views on women and gays, however, it turned out that statement has not one shred of truth. It's amazing how these people claim that they want limited government and no oversight or regulation until it comes down to their narrow social issues. Then, it's perfectly OK for the government to be in your business [and your bedroom!] and dictate how you're supposed to live your life.

In other news, Stevens Miller called out Tom Rust's claims last night to support equal rights for all Virginians. Of course, Rust's voting record doesn't attest to that.

I hope a very clear message was sent tonight. We are out there with a vengeance. We are proud of our Democrats and what they stand for. Let's keep Virginia moving forward. We can't do otherwise.

Jim Webb Fundraiser for Mark Keam

Yet another excellent report (and photos) from Sully District Committee Chair Mary Lee Cerillo. Thanks!

I attended a wonderful fundraiser this afternoon in Vale Precinct for Mark Keam. Our senior Senator, Jim Webb, was the distinguished guest. Webb was praised for passing a GI bill for our veterans and for working on a laundry list of important issues, including health care. Senator Webb talked about how he has season tickets for the Redskins, who lost this afternoon......AGAIN!! Webb noted that Dan Snyder had donated $50,000 to the McDonnell campaign. Add that to the loss today, and it doesn't sound like Snyder's picking real winners these days.

As Webb pointed out, this time three years ago, he was way down in the polls and was being outspent two to one. Little good it did his opponent!!!! Webb had 14,000 volunteers who worked on his behalf and got him elected. Jim Webb and Mark Keam were both new to politics when they decided to run for office. We have the same hope for Mark Keam as we did for Jim Webb. Mark Keam is another individual with a varied background who has much to bring to Richmond if elected.

Senator Webb spoke about the outstanding endorsement that The Washington Post gave Creigh Deeds earlier today and how important this election is to Virginians. We can either be set back fifty years and lose much of the progressive issues we've worked so hard for in Virginia or we can go back to individuals concentrating on dividing people and social issues. Our state has had a Triple A bond rating for several years now, we are the best managed state, the best state in which to do business, we have the best public schools and Virginia's the best place to raise a child. Why on earth would we want to set ourselves back and go back to the Gilmore days when they never balanced a budget????

Thanks to hosts Mary Ann and Bob Hovis! It sure was great to see Senator Jim Webb again. Many of us were among the 14,000 volunteers who worked to get him elected. Let's do it again, folks...there's too much at stake for us not to!

P.S. Other than Jim Webb and Mark Keam, people pictured in these photos include Del. Ken Plum, former LG candidate Mike Signer, FCDC Chair Mary Ann Hovis and VAYD Vice President of Issues and Advocacy Antonio Elias.

Fairfax Public Safety Endorses Keam for Delegate

Great news from the Keam for Delegate campaign. Go Mark!

Vienna, VA - Today, Mark Keam, Democratic candidate for Delegate (VA-35), announced that he received the endorsement from the Fairfax Coalition of Police, the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics, and the Fairfax Deputy Sheriffs Coalition.

“I am honored to receive these endorsements from members of Fairfax’s public safety community. When I go to Richmond, I will stand side by side with our fire fighters, paramedics and law enforcement officers to ensure that they get the tools they need to continue serving our communities and keeping our families safe. I salute their service and sacrifice and thank them for their support of my campaign for Delegate,” said Keam.

Deputy Sheriff Dan Kalbacher of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriffs Coalition said, “Mark Keam understands the importance of strong public safety entities and will ensure that they get the right training and equipment. The Deputy Sheriffs will have a strong voice in Richmond in Mark Keam.”

“We are honored today to announce our endorsement of Mark Keam for Delegate,” said Olivia Chapman of the Fairfax Coalition of Police. “Mark's hard work and dedication not only proves to us that he will successfully be the voice in Richmond for our police officers, but that he will also bring them the tools needed to continue to keep our community safe.”

Virginia Professional Fire Fighters (VPFF) President Fire Captain Michael Mohler, representing both the VPFF and the Fairfax County Fire Fighters and Paramedics said, “Mark Keam is the only candidate in this race who understands what it takes to help keep Fairfax County fire fighters among the best in the nation.” Mohler concluded, “He will fight to get us the best training, equipment and staff to help keep Fairfax families safe.”