AGE: 61
FAMILY: Wife, Barbara; three children, three grandchildren
CAMPAIGN MAILING ADDRESS: 20978 Flatboat Court, Sterling, Va., 20165
CAMPAIGN PHONE: 703-406-2951
E-MAIL: mail@delegateblack.com
WEBSITE: www.DelegateBlack.com
Occupation: Delegate for the 32nd District
Employment: Self-employed
Education: B.S, .B.A. in Accounting, University of Florida, 1973; J.D., University of Florida, 1976
Qualifications: Eight years in the Virginia General Assembly
1. What is your top public service accomplishment?
I successfully passed five bills that secured $200 million to improve Route 28. My bills used a public-private partnership to avoid raising taxes on Loudoun's families. I have secured funding for six new interchanges on Route 28, $10 million to make safety improvements on Route 15, and $13 million to begin widening Route 7 to Tysons Corner. I believe the key to transportation is focusing the Virginia surplus revenues on improving our roads.
2. What sets you apart from the other candidate in the race?
I have eight years in the General Assembly and Poisson's only experience is when he worked for Senator Dick Durbin (D) who recently compared our military men and women to Nazis. I served 34 years in the military while Poisson avoided the draft. Poisson advocates higher taxes; I do not. Poisson supports increasing toll road fees; I do not. Poisson advocates homosexual adoptions, same-sex insurance benefits and homosexual kissing scenes in school plays; I do not. I was named Legislator of the Year by Family Foundation, Taxpayers for Accountable Government and Right to Work, just to name a few.
3. What is one thing you promise not to do if elected?
I will continue to give the best constituent service possible. For eight years, we have provided excellent constituent service. I have a terrific staff who have given so much of themselves to the citizens of Loudoun County. I believe excellent constituent service is essential to representing the 32nd District. We work hard to maintain a high standard of service despite the distractions caused by numerous attacks at election time. I am a pro-life, anti-tax, social and fiscal conservative.
4. What is the biggest issue facing your district? What should be done to address it?
The biggest issue facing the 32nd District is improving transportation. Virginia has an enormous surplus that should be applied to transportation. Expanding Rt. 7 and completing improvements on Rt. 28 are top priorities. I successfully passed five bills that secured $200 million to improve Rt. 28. As a senior member of the Transportation Committee, I have secured funding for improvements to Rt. 7, Rt. 28 and Rt. 15. The key to transportation is focusing surplus revenues on highways.
5. Is there any additional legislation in regard to abortion that you would support? Would you make any changes to the current laws and regulation about abortion in Virginia?
I am 100 percent pro-life. I always support pro-life legislation and would support any legislation that would end abortion in our country.
6. In Virginia, local governments have limited control of revenue and taxing authority. Should they have more? Less? What changes would you propose?
I believe we have the proper balance now.
7. In Northern Virginia, property taxes have increased dramatically in recent years. What role should the state play in this?
The state should cap property tax increases at no greater than 5% or the rate of population growth plus inflation.
8. What do you believe the role of the state should be in determining the status of same-sex couples in Virginia?
Virginia's role is to protect traditional marriage. My opponent, David Poisson, has been endorsed by the Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Club because he is an advocate of homosexual adoption, same-sex unions, same-sex insurance benefits, etc. I have a 100% rating from the Family Foundation because of my strong support for traditional family values.
9. What are your views about public-private partnerships and other mechanisms to privatize Virginia's highway system? What are the caveats you would identify as we move forward with this process?
I believe in public/private partnerships when private entities incur risk in exchange for rewards. I have obtained $200 million in funding for Rt. 28 through public/private partnerships. This will be the most rapidly constructed large highway project in Virginia history. I am uneasy about proposals to sell the Dulles Toll Road. Voters were promised an end to tolls and instead the tolls were increased. If the toll road is privatized, tolls will be increased even further. This is a lose-lose situation for commuters.
10. Do you believe that illegal immigration is a problem in Virginia? If so, why, and what should be done?
Illegal immigration is a major problem in Virginia. I have sponsored several bills to eliminate state benefits and in-state tuition to illegal aliens. I have urged Congress to authorize 50,000 new border patrol agents to secure our southern border. We must change laws to allow the immediate deportation of illegal immigrants. Localities should be prohibited from spending tax dollars on sites that serve illegal immigrants.