Democratic Candidates Gather for Second Forum in Virginia's 8th Congressional District 
Candidates Seek to Differentiate Themselves from the Crowded Field 
May 5, 2014 - The ten Democratic candidates running to succeed U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D) in Virginia's 8th Congressional District sought to differentiate themselves in a candidate forum, held Monday evening in Founders Hall auditorium at George Mason University's Arlington campus.  These candidates hold fairly similar progressive views, but they do bring to the race vastly different experiences that set them apart from one another and define their approaches to policy and politics.  Don Beyer is seen as the frontrunner by virtue of his experience as lieutenant governor, ambassador and businessman, and he has raised the most money.  However the diverse field also includes some up-and-coming younger candidates, two women, several state elected officials, and even an engineer who immigrated to the United States from India.

Julie Carey, Northern Virginia bureau chief for NBC 4, moderated.  In contrast to the first forum which fit in a lot of questions, this forum consisted of three-minute opening statements, two questions with three-minute responses, and one-minute closing statements.  In their opening statements the candidates highlighted their experience and addressed fairly similar themes including the importance of programs to help the less fortunate in society, support for quality education, support for Obamacare, protecting women's reproductive rights, standing up to Tea Party extremists, sensible gun control, and the threat posed by climate change.  After the opening statements, the candidates were each asked about their top domestic priority and how they would accomplish that goal given Republican control of Congress.  The second question addressed the candidates' views on the top foreign policy and national security concern facing the country.  Although the forum was billed as being sold out, there were a fair number of empty seats in the back of the room, and the audience did include quite a few people already supporting one or another of the candidates.  George Mason's School of Public Policy and its Center for State and Local Government hosted the forum, which followed earlier forums on April 12 (Mount Vernon District Democratic Committee) and April 24 (Alexandria NAACP and Citizens of Northern Virginia).

The Democratic primary is now little more than a month away on June 10; this is a solidly Democratic district and the winner is heavily favored to win in November.  On April 26 at their biennal 8th District Republican Convention at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington Republicans chose Micah Edmond, a Marine Corps veteran and former congressional staffer, as their nominee.  Third party and independent candidates face a June 10 deadline for achieving ballot access.
Before the forum started, Rep. Moran reflected on the 8th District, which he has represented since his election in 1990, and on his career.  He said the well-educated and open-minded population of the 8th District gives him far more latitude than many of his colleagues in how he votes.  "This is a district where you can vote your conscience, where you can depart from the trend and defend it," Moran said.  He cited his vote against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1990.  More recently, in Jan. 2013, he was one of only six Democrats to vote against legislation to the forestall the "fiscal cliff."  Moran said he took great satisfaction in serving in Congress because of "the ability to raise an issue and pursue it until something is done about it."




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General Views
 Don Beyer
 Lavern Chatman
State. Sen. Adam Ebbin
 Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille State Del. Charniele Herring
State Del. Patrick Hope Derek Hyra
 Satish Korpe

Main Virginia 8th CD page 
Mark Levine Bruce Shuttleworth

Signs opposite Founders Hall prior to the forum.
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