As the election draws closer for the senate seat representing the 34th district, Democratic candidate Ronald F. "Ron" Christian hopes to be behind another pulpit come next year. An ordained Lutheran minister for 38 years, Christian says his service to the community and his ability to bring people together will be an asset to citizens if they elect him as their state senator.
"I use the phrase very often that service is the rent we pay for living. And all of us who enjoy life, at whatever level, must give something back," Christian said.
Supporters agree that Christian's background for community service make him an ideal candidate.
"Ron's interest in the seat has to do with serving the community, period. He wants to be there for people of the 34th district," said Braddock supervisor Sharon Bulova, who urged Christian to run. "I'd rather have someone who would be there in the long haul. And that's Ron Christian."
Christian, 64, has lived in Fairfax County for 34 years. He has been married to his wife, Judy, for 40 years, and his two adult children went to Fairfax County Public Schools.
Throughout his life, Christian created several nonprofits. He formed the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Fairfax, and started Lutheran Housing Services, which helps abused and battered families find housing. He also serves as vice chairman of the Housing Authority of Fairfax County and coordinator for Faith Communities in Action, and previously acted as assistant chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives.
"All of my working life has been engaged in community affairs as part of my responsibility as a minister. I've often said that faith is to be applied in action, how we live it out, what we do, and how we relate to people," Christian said.
In looking at the issues of transportation, education and taxes, Christian had several ideas for alleviating concerns within those areas. For transportation, Christian wanted to examine both long and short-term solutions to traffic congestion in northern Virginia. Short-term ideas include HOT lanes, and rapid bus services. Long-term possibilities include rail to Dulles or Leesburg and negotiations with the District of Columbia, Prince Georges and Montgomery counties for another bridge or lane across the Potomac River.
Regarding education, Christian supports seeking an equitable share of state funds for maintaining and constructing school facilities; improving the teacher-student ratio and teacher retention; and ensuring that Virginia students have a place for themselves within the higher education system. Christian also said he supported Gov. Mark Warner's six-point plan on education.
"I can't say enough for my support for the educational system. This country was founded on public education. That's how we got to where we are," Christian said.
For taxes, Christian suggested looking at ways to relieve the tax burden among the elderly and lower income households. He also supported allowing counties to have the same taxing ability as cities.
"We must work at a more fair and equitable way to tax people. I think there is a heavier burden now, percentage-wise, placed on the lower-income folk. That doesn't mean that we'll have to raise taxes necessarily to adjust that, it means that we have to look at the whole range and at all the components, and try to seek some positions of justice and equity among people," Christian said.
Christian added that other issues he felt strongly about included the environment, and long-term care and housing for the elderly and the disabled.
"In some cases, people are almost taxed out of their home. And that's not right," Christian said.
Indeed, Christian's commitment to those less fortunate is why some supporters will vote for him in November.
"He seems to embody a lot of Democratic ideals," said campaign volunteer Ari Tuckman of Fairfax. "I think he tends to look for the most good for the most people."
Bulova agreed, "He has an impeccable record for service to the community that I think would translate well into the General Assembly."
As Christian continues to campaign, he hopes voters remember his service to the community as well as his ability to bring people together.
"I'm looking forward to a good race. I'm a committed public servant," Christian said. "I think that as we elect, we don't elect policies. We elect people who we trust to make policy decisions for us in our absence. That's what elections are about. Because every policy, every issue will be changed and shaped by the discussions and debates. And it is the person who can work well, in a bipartisan way, with both sides and all kinds of people, who can do the most good for any group of people, in this case the 34th. My record, 38 years of working with people from diverse languages, cultures and backgrounds, in all kinds of situations, will provide good service to the people of the 34th district and the Commonwealth of Virginia."