Crowded Democratic Primary in Virginia's 8th Congressional District 
Ten Candidates Vie to Succeed U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, Who is Retiring After 12 terms 
April 12, 2014 - The ten Democratic candidates running to succeed U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D) in Virginia's 8th Congressional District met in their first candidate forum on Saturday afternoon at the Little Theatre at Mt. Vernon High School in Alexandria.  During the two-hour plus forum, sponsored by the Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee, the candidates fielded thirteen questions on topics ranging from traffic on Route 1 to reducing the influence of money in politics, in addition to responding to several lightening round questions and making their opening and closing statements.  Moderator George Burke kept the forum going at a fair clip, and differences and strengths and weaknesses among the crowed field of candidates are beginning to emerge.


CLICK PHOTOS BELOW FOR MORE
Jim Moran has represented the 8th District since Jan. 1991.  The district, which sits across the Potomac River from Washington, DC and includes Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and McLean, is home to many federal government employees.  In recent years the 8th CD has been solidly Democratic; in 2012 Moran defeated Patrick Murray (R) by 64.6% to 30.6% and he has routinely amassed 60-percent or more of the vote. 

This is a district where candidates proudly wear the progressive label; indeed many of the activists at this first forum were looking for a candidate who can serve in Congress as a progressive standard-bearer for years to come.  The diverse field includes two women, three African Americans and one Indian American, and four current elected officials and one former elected official.

The winner of the June 10 Democratic primary is heavily favored to be elected to Congress on Nov. 4.  
Former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer
 Lavern Chatman
 State Sen. Adam Ebbin
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille
 State Del. Charniele Herring
 State Del. Patrick Hope
Derek Hyra
 Satish Korpe
 Mark Levine

*There were three other candidates.  Del. Alfonso Lopez dropped out on April 4, Del. Mark D. Sickles dropped out on March 12, and small businesswoman Nancy Najarian failed to qualify for the ballot.
Bruce Shuttleworth
More views

Republicans will choose their nominee in their biennal 8th District Republican Convention, to be held on Saturday April 26 at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington.  Three candidates are running—Dennis Bartow, Micah Edmond and Paul Haring.  There are also Libertarian and Independent Green candidatates.

The 8th CD is not the only open Northern Virginia seat.  In the 10th CD, which also includes parts of Fairfax County and extends west to Loudon, Clarke and Frederick Counties, U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf (R) is not seeking re-election after serving in Congress since Jan. 1981.  There the competition is among six Republicans; the only Democrat in the race is Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust.



Main Virginia 8th CD page
ADVERTISEMENT