Leesburg Election Guide 2012
The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Leesburg and Loudoun County this year.
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As we look ahead to November’s elections, Leesburg Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Just click on the links below to read more about each one and bookmark this page for future updates.
Voting Info
Absentee voting has already started and continues into early November. Information about absentee voting (how, where, and whether you qualify) is available here.
On Nov. 6, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Look up your voting precinct here.
You can also look up what is on your ballot through the State Board of Elections website.
Leesburg Town Council
Mayor:
- Kristen Umstattd: Mayor Kristen Umstattd Announces Re-election Bid, Q & A: Mayoral Candidate Kristen C. Umstattd
- Linda Shotton: Leesburg Resident Linda Shotton to Run for Mayor, Q & A: Mayoral Candidate Linda Shotton
Council Members:
- Katie Hammler: Katie Sheldon Hammler Seeks Lower Tax Rates, Homeowner Affordability, Councilwoman Katie Hammler Seeks Third Term, Q & A: Town Council Candidate Katie Hammler
- Tom Dunn: Thomas S. Dunn Seeks Change in Upcoming Election, Campaign Kickoff: Thomas S. Dunn, Q & A: Town Council Candidate Tom Dunn
- David Butler: David S. Butler Focused on Enhancing Quality of Life, Dave Butler Officially Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign, Q & A: Town Council Candidate David Butler
- S. Ann Robinson: S. Ann Robinson Announces Town Council Candidacy, Town Council Candidates Adress Voters During Q & A, Q & A: Town Council Candidate S. Ann Robinson
- Jim Sisley: First Time Candidate Jim Sisley Seeks Win, Q & A: Town Council Candidate Jim Sisley
- Robert Zoldos: Former Town Council Member Running for Re-Election
- Dwight Dopilka: Dwight Dopilka Holds Campaign Kickoff, Q & A: Town Council Candidate Dwight Dopilka, Town Council Candidates Adress Voters During Q & A
- Joseph Mydlinski: Write-in Candidate Joseph Mydlinski Seeks Change, Q & A: Town Council Candidate Joseph Mydlinski
Virginia Constitutional Amendments
There are two Virginia constitutional amendments on the ballot. The Virginia State Board of Elections has created this brochure explaining the issues.
10th Congressional District
Republican U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf has served the 10th district since 1981. He did not face any primary challenge this year and in 2010 defeated Democrat Jeff Barnett with 63 percent of the votes to Barnett’s 35 percent. This year, a Democrat and an independent are looking to unseat Wolf.
- Frank Wolf (incumbent, Republican)
- Kristin Ann Cabral (Democrat)
- J. Kevin Chisholm (Independent)
U.S. Senate
Defense cuts and political gridlock in Washington were the focal points of the first debate between U.S. Senate candidates (and former Virginia governors) George Allen and Tim Kaine. The debate was in September in McLean. Here’s more on each candidate:
- George Allen (Republican)
- Tim Kaine (Democrat)
U.S. President
President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have been criss-crossing the Commonwealth for months trying to woo swing state voters. President Obama is looking for a repeat victory in the Old Dominion. Gov. Romney handily won the Virginia primary against Rep. Ron Paul. Independent candidate Virgil Goode will also be on the Virginia ballot, along with Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green candidate Jill Stein.
Recent appearances in Virginia by President Obama and Gov. Romney include:
- Gov. Romney in Springfield in September
- President Obama in Woodbridge in September
- Gov. Romney in Fairfax City in September
- President Obama in Leesburg in August
- Gov. Romney in Manassas in August
Also, see what your neighbors donated to the President Obama and Gov. Romney campaigns here.
See these articles on the other candidates:
- Virgil Goode Campaigns for President Against the Odds
- Gary Johnson 2012: The Libertarian Revolution will not be Televised
- Green Party's Jill Stein: The Occupy Candidate
Here are results from 2008 from the major areas of Northern Virginia when then-Sen. Obama faced Sen. John McCain in the presidential election (this does not include third party candidates):
- Alexandria City – Obama 71.73 percent; McCain 27.25
- Arlington County – Obama 71.71 percent; McCain 27.12
- Fairfax County – Obama 60.11 percent; McCain 38.93 percent
- Loudoun County – Obama 53.66 percent; McCain 45.41 percent
- Prince William County – Obama 57.51 percent; McCain 41.62 percent
- Spotsylvania County – Obama 46.04; McCain 52.91 percent
Anthony Fasolo
11:09 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
I thank you for providing information on candidates and issues. There is so much information that is on tv or in the press that is biased in favor of one candidate or party or another and I would hope thay you could provide as unbiased an approach as possible, sticking to the issues and without name-calling. One source I would like to suggest is the League of Women Voters. They do not endorse candidates but do try to get them to state their position on various issues. Thanks again.
Tony
Independent Voter
12:12 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
It was the Independent Green Party of Virginia petition signatures for "More Trains, Less Traffic" advocate on the ballot that got Kevin Chisholm on the ballot. Independent Green Party candidates Gail for Rail Parker, and Janet for Rail Murphy personally collected those pro rail petition signatures for Kevin Chisholm.
Kevin Chisholm
10:51 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Someone recently brought to my attention this note. Yes, I paid petitioners to help me get on the ballot and those are the names of petitioners. What is the point of the comment though? Providing efficient transportation is a good idea, isn’t it?
My candidacy is about much more though, which is why I did not accept nomination of a political party that has narrow agendas. I stand for fiscal conservativeness and not kicking the can down the road on difficult issues (which both major parties are expert at doing).
People who don’t give their name when they write things, might be trying to hide some motivation.
Kevin Chisholm
Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives
www.chisholmforcongress.com
joe brewer
4:40 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Ann Robinson
I for one do not see any conservative backers among the names you listed, am I just missing them? The group you listed seems extremely liberal and democrat party affiliated. Time to diversify! As well as grant possibilities sounds like wishing and hoping you know what that fill in with. Show me a viable study using your metrics listed above to pay for your weekend transportation costs. Bus ads about $500 amonth hardley enough. Ok don't move the courts.
Any person who encourages or induces an alien to reside knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such residence is in violation of law, shall be punished as provided for each alien in respect to whom such a violation occurs . . . fined under title 18 . . . imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both
JByrd
11:15 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012
For all federal candidates:
Please provide detailed answers for the following:
(1) What are your plans for comprehensive tax reform?
(2) What are your plans for entitlement reform?
(3) What are your plans for overall spending reforms?
Why these questions: See CNBC's "Are we rich or poor?" debate (worth watching):
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=1604902615
When I google CBO's long term projections, the current system is unsustainable.
http://bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/debt-initiative/about
Sharpie
3:05 am on Monday, November 5, 2012
Make a special note to remember to watch the Free and Equal Election Debate between third party candidates, Gov. Gary Johnson and Dr. Jill Stein to be aired tonight on Monday evening, Nov. 5th from 9:00 - 10:30 pm Eastern Time. Perform a worthwhile civic duty, and be certain to listen in on this historic debate so that you can make an informed decision on voting day. Third party candidates who will be on the ballot in most states deserve to be heard.
http://freeandequal.org/?v=1