The Connection

Challenger, Delegate District 43

Town of residence: “Groveton” - Alexandria, VA

Age: 38

Family: Married, 2 daughters

Education: Graduate, Hofstra University (BA), Georgetown University (JD), post-graduate work, George Washington University (LLM).

Occupation and relevant experience: Director, Virginia Procurement Technical Assistance Program, George Mason University. Small business owner/counselor, government contract law expert, homeowner.

Community involvement: (1) Training and counseling small businesses in government procurement; (2) Dog rescue volunteer.

Website: http://www.annaurman.com

Email address: anna@annaurman.com

Twitter handle: @AnnaUrman

Name three favorite endorsements: Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia, VA NextGen GOP, Sen. Mark D. Obenshain

Questions

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

We came to the US for the American Dream – economic opportunity, religious liberty, and individual freedom. I want to ensure that this dream remains alive for my daughters’ generation. I see more government, less liberty; we are over-taxed and over-regulated. I’ll fight for a transparent, accountable, limited government that spends money frugally, and honors our Constitutional principles.

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

I believe that individuals are in better position to govern their lives than bureaucrats. I believe in parental rights, in reducing bureaucracy, in reducing taxes instead of burdening us and our children with further debts to pay for unnecessary government programs – whether it’s expanding a broken Medicaid system or adding unaffordable tolls to roads that we-the-taxpayers already paid for. I am a “grassroots” candidate, unencumbered by the unions, transportation industry, and healthcare industry donors – and won’t be beholden to them as a legislator.

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

As much as it may benefit some to exacerbate the appearance of a partisan divide – there isn’t enough time to point fingers and cast around blame. As a working mom, a business owner, I focus on solutions. I study problems, operate on facts, and create strategy to get things DONE.

In order, list your top 5 specific legislative priorities.

Decrease/eliminate taxes and regulation that hurt small businesses

Create meaningful contracting parity for veteran-owned business

Make Virginia a “No Kill” state that doesn’t kill healthy, adoptable animals in our public shelters

Ensure that Fairfax County gets an equitable share of state funding for our roads and schools proportionate to our needs, and our contribution to the state

Ease regulations for “tech transfer” from public universities, which will ensure that scientific and technological developments are more easily developed into new products and services – creating technology, jobs, and wealth.

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

The decline in our schools is evident in increased class sizes and falling scores. The increased congestion is indicative of inadequate attention and lack of planning by current elected officials. High commercial vacancy rates and flight of businesses is a testament to our regulatory quagmire and irresponsible tax policies.

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

No. I believe that adults should have the right to make their own financial decisions. Our goal should be not to regulate, but to educate, so that consumers can make informed financial choices.

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

No. With federal debt careening towards $20 TRILLION, “influx of federal money” means a greater debt burden to all Americans. Furthermore, 18-year-olds are legal adults and as such, should be able to participate in society. If they aren’t ready to take on adult responsibilities at 18, we should ask what’s wrong with the system, not throw more money at the problem.

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

No. I would not advocate investment into an infrastructure for a healthcare system that may be proven unconstitutional. Furthermore, the fundamental premise of forcing citizens to buy health insurance is flawed, and i oppose it categorically. The goal of Medicaid expansion is to provide taxpayer-funded benefits to able-bodied adults who are above federal poverty level; such an expansion is enormously unfair to all taxpayers.