Politics & Government

Lorton Election Guide

The candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Lorton and Fairfax County

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Lorton 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. Bookmark this page for updates.

U.S. President

President Barack Obama: The president will try to repeat his 2008 victory in the Old Dominion. Though it's an uphill climb, Obama in the money chase.

GOP Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney: Former Massachusetts Governor and presumptive GOP Presidential Nominee to campaign and speak on the country’s struggling economy.

U.S. Senate

George Allen: Former Gov. George Allen , in which he beat out E.W. Jackson, Del.  and  for the nomination with 66 percent of the vote. And it looks like Allen will have help in his corner; , telling Virginians that Allen’s vote in the Senate could be a deciding factor in passing tax reforms and more. During a visit to AOL’s Dulles campus in May, Allen said he was in favor of offshore drilling and expanding Dulles Metrorail into Loudoun County.

Tim Kaine: will have a close race with his fellow former governor and opponent George Allen. Both candidates are well-funded and close in the polls. is one of many steps toward removing the “red ink” in Washington. Kaine has noted that helpful budget surpluses vanished while Allen was in the Senate from 2001 to 2007.

8th Congressional District

Jim Moran: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Moran is currently serving his 11th term representing Virginia’s 8th Congressional District. Moran took more than two thirds of the vote in the June 2012 Democratic Primary against political newcomer and will face J. Patrick Murray, an opponent he defeated soundly two years ago, this November.

Patrick Murray: Retired U.S. Army Col. Patrick Murray, an Alexandria Republican, is seeking to represent the 8th Congressional District — despite an unsuccessful bid to unseat incumbent Rep. Jim Moran two years ago that cost $1.3 million. In announcing his bid, Murray criticized Moran

Jason Howell: Arlington native Jason Howell has no previous political experience, but that’s not stopping him from running as an independent for the 8th Congressional District seat. who believes that a lack of independents in the House of Representatives creates “gridlock.”

11th Congressional District

Gerry Connolly: U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly is currently serving his second term as Virginia’s 11th District Congressman, after beating GOP challenger Keith Fimian by a very narrow 981 votes, or .43 percent. A former Fairfax County supervisor, Connolly will have his work cut out for him against a GOP opponent who is well aware of how close the 2010 election was.

Chris Perkins: , defeating Herndon engineer Ken Vaughn. In an interview with Patch in January, Perkins said that 11th District constituents deserved more than what they were currently getting from Gerry Connolly. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell voiced his support for Perkins after his primary win, and former 11th District Rep. Tom Davis formally endorsed him in May.

Mark Gibson: Fairfax businessman Mark Gibson will run as an independent in this November’s general election. According to his website, Gibson wants to ensure a better future for his potential constituents and break a system of deferring important decisions.


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