On a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon, Democrat Steve Shannon announced at his kick-off campaign his intentions to run for the 35th District of the House of Delegates.
"I want to work to make our community a better place," Shannon said, when asked why he decided to run.
Shannon works as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for Fairfax County, specializing in child molestation, larceny, and drug-related crimes.
With his wife, Abby, Shannon founded the AMBER Alert for the Washington area. The Metropolitan AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Plan is a partnership between area law-enforcement agencies and broadcasters to issue special alerts for serious child abduction cases.
In his announcement speech, Shannon expressed the desire to work with both Republicans and Democrats to ease homeowners' tax burdens. He also vowed to work on K-12 and university-level education funding, as well as the area's transportation woes.
"Too often politics gets in the way of public service. Real issues are going unaddressed in Richmond. Now more than ever, Virginia needs leaders who can put partisanship aside and focus on solutions to our state's problems," Shannon said.
Shannon also said his experience as a Fairfax County prosecutor makes him aware of community needs.
"I know the community well, I know the police officers well ... and in doing that, I know our strengths and I know our weaknesses," Shannon said during his interview.
Retired Fairfax County Police investigator Jim Riddel agreed.
"I feel that he's a really sharp guy. He's young, he's honest," Riddel said.
Several local and state politicians also showed up at Shannon's kick-off to express their support.
"This is an opportunity to actually pick up a friend" in Richmond, said Supervisor Gerry Connolly (D-Providence).
"He's been willing to take any case you want to give him," said his boss, Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert F. Horan Jr.
If nominated by the party, Shannon will face a Republican challenger in November. Republicans will choose their nominee for the 35th District seat during May 10's firehouse primary at Oakton Elementary. The two Republicans who have campaigned so far are Vienna town councilman Mike Polychrones and Vienna attorney Robert McDowell.
"I found it very interesting that Mr. Shannon's message is a Republican message," said Del. Jeannemarie Devolites (R-35th) on previous statements by Shannon to ease taxpayer burdens. Devolites, whose seat Shannon is running for, also said the 35th District seat is a Republican seat, as constituents voted for President George W. Bush in the 2000 election.
But Shannon responded that the district seat is up for grabs.
"My sense of it from living here is that most people here vote based on the individual and not on the party line," Shannon said. He continued, "The leadership of both parties feel this is a swing district."
Besides serving as a prosecutor, Shannon has also been vice chairman of the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission and director of the Fairfax County Alcohol Safety Action Program Policy Board, which monitors convicted drunk drivers. He earned a master's degree in public policy from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Virginia.
Shannon and his wife, Abby, are members of St. Mark Catholic Church and the Washington Hebrew Congregation. They live in Fairfax with their infant son, Aidan.