The Connection

Incumbent, Unopposed

Town of residence: Falls Church

Family: Rachel – Spouse, Emily – Daughter, Zach - Son

Education: Juris Doctorate, American University; B.A. Middle East Studies and Journalism, NYU

Offices held, dates: Delegate (Va-53) 2014 - Present

Occupation and relevant experience: Real Estate Attorney, Ekko Title Co-Founder

Community involvement: Fairfax County Bipartisan Election Process Improvement Commission, McLean Planning Committee, Fairfax County Bar Association, Virginia State Bar

Website: www.MarcusSimon.com

Email address: DelMSimon@House.Virginia.Gov

Twitter handle: @MarcusSimon

Name three favorite endorsements: 1) Virginia Association of Realtors, 2) Equality Virginia, 3) My "F" Grade from the NRA

Questions

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

Repairing the world. We live in a great commonwealth, in a great country at an incredibly exciting time in history — and we can do even better. We should continue to strive to improve our society, creating opportunities for everyone to succeed, and making sure the most vulnerable among us aren't neglected or left behind.

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

I believe I stand out from other candidates because of my ability to bring my vision for a more inclusive, prosperous, healthier Virginia about. As a successful small business owner, attorney, former Army prosecutor, and an experienced legislative staffer I bring a unique set of skills, experiences and qualifications that ensure I will be a successful Delegate.

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 the member of the House Democratic Caucus with less seniority than all but two members of the entire House, I successfully collaborated with the very conservative Chairman of the Criminal Law Subcommittee to pass Virginia's Revenge Pornography statute at a time when only 3 other states has made revenge pornography a crime.

In order, list your top 5 specific legislative priorities.

• Student Loan Debt relief
• Mental Health Reform
• Expanding Fair Housing protections to the LGBT community
• Medicaid Expansion
• Gun Violence Prevention

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

Over the past decade the 53rd house district of Virginia, comprising of Falls Church and Merrifield has grown a lot. We have seen a great influx in population to the region as a whole as well as several infrastructure and redevelopment projects. The demand for housing and private sector growth which is not reliant on federal spending has shifted what once was a purely commuter district to one of mixed business and community opportunities.

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

Yes. I am particularly interested in ending the bait & switch practices of moving borrowers into unregulated "consumer finance loans" rather than better regulated car title loans.

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

Yes.

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

Yes. I will not vote for a budget bill that does not include Medicaid Expansion.