The Connection

Candidate for Senate in the 36th district

Town of residence: Dumfries

Age: 54

Family: Carmella (spouse), Danya (daughter), John (son-in-law)

Education: Graduate degree in Aviation Management

Offices held, dates: Councilman (2010-2012), Mayor (2012-Present)

Occupation and relevant experience: U.S. Marine (25 years), Aviation Consultant, Mayor Town of Dumfries

Community involvement:

American Legion; Historic Dumfries Virginia Inc. (2009-Present); President Historic Dumfries Virginia (2014-Present); Ellis Airport Board Jacksonville, NC (2005-2006); Gun Owners of America; President Hampstead Landing Homeowners Association (2007-2010); Image Church (Dumfries); Kiwanis International; Marine Corps Aviation Association; Marine Corps Association; Marine Corps League; Life Member Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Prince William County; National Rifle Association (NRA); Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC)(2012-Present); Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA)(2013-Present); Prince William Chamber of Commerce (2010-Present); Prince William County Republican Committee; Life Member Southern Illinois University Alumni Association; Life Member U.S. Air Force Association; Life Member Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW); Virginia Municipal League (VML)(2010-Present); 11th District Republican Committee Representative.

Website: http://www.gmforemansenate36va.com

Email address: gmforeman@gmforemansenate36va.com

Name three favorite endorsements:

Virginia Society for Human Life, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPac, National Federation of Independent Business

Questions

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

Fixing the economy (economic development). If we are addressing economic development then infrastructure (roads, etc), schools and homes fall into place. Your Senator must work hand-in-hand with County and Town governments. Tax dollars must be put to work effectively and judiciously.

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

Leadership. As a 25-year Marine Corps veteran, a Mayor, a businessman and a consultant my experience is diverse and will bring a fresh perspective to Richmond. My opponent is a career Richmond insider and a politician who’s voting record doesn’t line up to what he says he supports.

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

I was elected as a Councilman and then as Mayor as a Republican in a town that President Obama and Governor MacAuliffe won in a landslide. That crossover appeal shows that I can work effectively across the aisle and earn the trust of Democrats. I attribute that success to my straightforward, honest approach. Not one party can fix all problems — we need a Senator who works well with others.

In order, list your top 5 specific legislative priorities.

Create jobs and grow our economy; Fix the Route 1 corridor; Address planned development; Strengthen ethics laws; Reach across the aisle to solve problems.

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

The people who live here haven’t changed, but their attitude towards government and politicians have. They are tired of the insiders, and want people who are willing to work together for a common cause.

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

Yes – this should have been addressed a long time ago. My opponent was in office when the current laws allowed these predators to set up shop – now he says he has a plan to eradicate them. My opponent has shifted the discussion from a meaningful conversation on economic development to an election year conversation focused on his priority of a one focused area. My opponent wants to solve every concern by raising taxes.

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?

The ACA has created more problems that it has solved because it was pork barreled. At the end of the day, we must create a healthcare safety net for our citizens. We cannot put the burden of this program on the business owners and the middle class. This is a great question for a current legislator as to why something hasn’t been done already. My goal will be to bring people together to find a compromise that solves the problem.