The Connection

Incumbent, unopposed

Town of residence: Oak Hill

Age: 56

Family: Married to Robin; three grown children: Mark, Heather and Kristin

Education: B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Valparaiso University, M.S. Meteorology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Offices held, dates: Virginia House of Delegates, 2010—present; Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce 1989-93

Occupation and relevant experience: business person; co-founder of Sterling Semiconductor, now a unit of the Dow Corning Corporation; adjunct professor, George Mason University 1993-96

Community involvement: I’ve participated in a number of organizations and activities over the years through schools, church, scouts and sports associations.

Website: www.LeMunyon.com

Email address: deljlemunyon@gmail.com

Twitter handle: @JimLeMunyon

Name three favorite endorsements: Fairfax Chamber of Commerce—NOVABizPAC; Virginia Education Association; Police Benevolent Association

Questions

What is one issue that defines your call to serve, why does it matter, and how will you tackle it?

Increasing the mobility of people of Northern Virginia by improving our transportation network. In particular, the can be accomplished by directing funds to transportation projects that give us the “biggest bang for the buck” in terms of congestion reduction. I authored the law that requires this, and now work to ensure its effective implementation.

What distinguishes you from your opponent(s) and why should voters choose you?

I do not have an opponent, but I hope voters will vote for me because I share the priorities of a majority of people in the 67th district.

Given the political makeup of the state legislature, what examples from your own experience suggests you can successfully bridge the intense partisan differences there?

I am a Republican, and I frequently cosponsor legislation with Democrats. I’m scored as the most bipartisan member of the House of Delegates by the non-partisan Sunlight Foundation. This does not mean “moderate.” Instead it means that I work well with people who hold different viewpoints.

In order, list your top 5 specific legislative priorities.

1. Keeping Virginia’s budget balanced.
2. Stopping to proposed toll on I-66 inside the Beltway, and instead widening this road.
3. Increasing funding for public education while reducing administrative burdens on teachers.
4. Reforming Virginia’s tax laws to encourage more job creation.
5. Passing a public charter school amendment to the state constitution to give parents more choices in public education.

How has your district changed in the last 10 years? What caused those changes?

Like most parts of Northern Virginia, people change residence frequently in the district I represent. There are always new people to meet in the 67th district!

Will you support legislation restricting high interest lending including car title loans?

Yes, and I have voted for such legislation in the General Assembly.

Will you support funding for Fostering Connections which would result in an influx of federal funding for foster children aging out of foster care?

I need to learn more about how this would work before offering an opinion.

Do you support expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and if so, what would you do to make that happen?

The federal government ought to return the additional tax dollars Virginians pay under the Affordable Care Act without strings attached. I would direct these funds to additional care for people with physical and intellectual disabilities and mental health concerns, rather than provide healthy people with insurance.