June 5, 2014
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(Some) 8th District Candidates Express Regret Over Positions They Have Taken in Earlier Years SCOTT McCAFFREY Staff Writer
Regrets? They’ve had a few. But in some cases, too few to mention. Candidates for the Democratic nomination for 8th District U.S. House of Representatives were asked not once but twice during a May 30 debate whether there were political positions they had taken that they now believe were wrong. It was a change of pace from traditional questioning, and opened up a window into the psyche of those who seek to succeed U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th). Some took the bait, others did not. “You learn as you go,” acknowledged Patrick Hope, who said he has come to regret earlier support in the General Assembly for mandatory-minimum sentencing and for state tax credits. “I’ve taken thousands of votes in the General Assembly,” Hope said. When you change your mind on an issue, he said, “you try to keep going.” Adam Ebbin also voiced regret for his support in the legislature for mandatory minimums, while Don Beyer said his opposition in the 1990s to same-sex marriage has evolved. “I was wrong,” Beyer said. “I think I’m smarter now. I value consistency [in thinking], but I more value growth.” A crowd of 250 turned up in Ballston
that Friday night, their last chance among umpteen times that the candidates for Moran’s seat gathered to square off. Democratic voters will have their say in a June 10 primary; if past history is a guide, the general election will be a mere formality in the heavily Democratic 8th District, which includes all of Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church and portions of Fairfax County. In the debate, sponsored by the Arlington County Democratic Committee, each of the seven was allowed to ask the other contenders one question. Two candidates – William Euille and Mark Levine – said they hadn’t taken any policy positions they later reconsidered. Each professed consistency on all policy issues through the years. Euille, the mayor of Alexandria, did acknowledge considering a run for General Assembly years ago as a Republican, but said he opted not to do it and came to regret even thinking about it. Lavern Chatman said her husband’s fatal illness led her to change her mind and support the use marijuana for medical use, while Derek Hyra said he is sorry he voted as a member of the Alexandria Planning Commission to support a massive redevelopment project that moved out low-income residents. Hope, who in recent weeks has lobbed attacks at Beyer, suggested Beyer should
Don Beyer, shown in a photo from his campaign Web site with Del. Bob Brink (D-48th) and Lynda Johnson Robb, told a debate audience last week that he regretted past opposition to same-sex marriage in Virginia.
disavow his support in the 1990s for reform of federal welfare programs, a cornerstone of the Clinton administration. “It hasn’t done what we thought it would,” Hope said. Beyer didn’t flinch. “I’m proud of the fact we tried to make welfare better,” he countered. Beyer also took incoming flak from Levine, an attorney and radio talk-show host, who criticized the former lieutenant governor’s support for changes in estate taxes. Both Beyer and Ebbin said they believed estate-tax rates should be reason-
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able, not excessive. For Hope, the debate meant a return to the campaign trail after breaking and cracking ribs while campaigning door-todoor a week before. Moran announced in January he would retire after 24 years in office. The resulting scramble ultimately led to about a dozen prospective candidates jumping into the Democratic primary, before several dropped out. The winner of the primary will face Republican Micah Edmond and several thirdparty candidates, but the outcome is likely not in doubt. Moran in recent races has run up 60 percent or more of the vowte. Find Results on Web: The Sun Gazette will have results of the 8th District race on the Web site at www.insidenova.com/news/ fairfax the night of June 10. Next week’s print edition goes to press prior to the election. Chatman Wins Straw Poll: Lavern Chatman was the winner of a straw poll held at a recent candidate forum sponsored by the African-American Leadership Council. The May 16 event was held at Mount Zion Baptist Church. Contenders for the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District, as well as Republican nominee Micah Edmond, participated. “Voters of the 8th District believe it’s time for a fresh perspective in Washington,” Chatman said in a statement following the straw-poll results. Democratic voters will choose their nominee in a June 10 primary. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic. Beyer Wins Support from Humane Society: Don Beyer’s bid for the 8th Congressional District has been endorsed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund. The organization said Beyer was the best candidate in the Democratic field to “build on Jim Moran’s outstanding body of work on animal welfare.” “Voters who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Don Beyer for Congress,” the organization said. Najarian Drops Bid to Get on Ballot: Nancy Najarian has dropped her bid to be included in the June 10 Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District. Democratic officials could not validate a sufficient number of her petition signatures.