(Created: Wednesday, December 5, 2007 9:07 PM EST)

The Arlington County Democratic Committee’s School Board endorsement election will be held on a balmy Saturday next May. But the campaign got underway as the first snows of the season blanketed the region. Five challengers used the committee’s Dec. 5 meeting at Walter Reed Community Center to announce they would be seeking the two School Board seats on the ballot next November.

Given three-minute windows to introduce their campaigns, Reid Goldstein, Karla Hagan, James Lander, Terron Sims II and Emma Violand-Sanchez echoed familiar themes: inclusiveness, building partnerships and making improvements to a school system all said was doing well.

Sitting in the audience were School Board members Frank Wilson and Libby Garvey, whose seats the challengers hope to take. Neither incumbent has announced re-election plans, but both are likely to detail their intentions in January.

With a filing deadline of March 3, others could still jump into the race. No matter what the final tally of candidates, the Democratic endorsement contest is likely to be the political show of 2008. Party chairman Peter Rousselot called the field that has emerged an “active, vibrant and committed group” of candidates.

Under state law, political parties can’t formally nominate candidates in School Board races. But parties can “endorse” candidates.

In Arlington, the Democratic endorsement in the past usually has translated to victory in the general election. This year, Abby Raphael, who won the party’s endorsement in a two-way race in May, was unopposed in the Nov. 6 election.

As the rest of the party meeting continued in a large conference room at the Walter Reed center, politicking continued in the outer hallway as snowfall continued to accumulate outdoors.

Candidates, their supporters and those being courted snacked on cookies and brownies brought by incoming County Board member Mary Hynes.

Among the highlights from the announcement speeches:

* Goldstein cited his long list of involvement in the schools, along with work on the Housing Commission and the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization.

“Our schools are a model, but our past laurels are not enough,” he said. “I have worked with the schools, worked in the county and have found success in both.”
 

His campaign Web site is www.reidgoldstein.org.

* Hagan pointed to her work in the local Democratic Party, and pressed for accelerated foreign-language training in elementary schools and expansion of Montessori programs, along with advances in environmental education.

“I will foster teacher innovation – outstanding teachers are our single greatest resource,” she said. “Arlington has great schools, but there are serious challenges facing us.”

Her campaign Web site is www.karlahagan.org.

* Lander noted his service as vice president of the Wakefield High School PTA, and other service in the schools. He pointed to a “stakeholders’ triangle” of the community, schools and parents, all working to foster achievement.

“I will work to accomplish effective partnerships . . . [and] encourage an open, inclusive process,” he said. “We must have high expectations for all students.”

His campaign e-mail is infojameslander@gmail.com.

* Sims cited his work in mentoring at Wakefield High School and Drew Community Center, along with a leadership role in Arlington Young Democrats. The West Point graduate said that he had worked extensively with schools in Iraq during his U.S. Army tour of duty there.

“It’s time that we seriously address closing the achievement gap,” he said. “Progress has plateaued. We all must play a vital role in educating our children.”

His campaign Web site is www.terronsims.com.

* Violand-Sanchez pointed to her experience as an administrator with Arlington Public Schools, along with service as vice chairman of Northern Virginia Community College. She said she wanted a “student-centered approach” to local education, and favored enhancing partnerships with parents, colleges and the business community.

“We have an excellent school system, but there’s room for improvement,” she said. “I want to contribute.”

Her campaign Web site is www.emmaforschoolboard.org.

Of the two incumbents whose seats are up for grabs, Wilson has not signaled whether he will run again, and Garvey reiterated on Dec. 5 that she is “leaning” toward a run.

The Democratic caucus will be held on May 3 at Washington-Lee High School.

Report from the Chairman, Peter Rousselot

The coming of a new year marks a fitting moment for all Arlington Democrats to celebrate the leadership that AYD brings to our party and to our community.

At our December meeting, ACDC honored a former leader of AYD, retiring Clerk of Court Dave Bell, for his numerous contributions to our Democratic party spanning three decades. Dave’s long and distinguished career in Arlington reminds us that many of today’s leaders of the Arlington Young Democrats also will lead ACDC, Arlington, Virginia, and the nation.

A former AYD President, Alfonso Lopez, already serves as the ACDC Deputy Chair and as the Director of the Virginia Liaison Office in Washington, DC. In this Cabinet-level position, Alfonso is in charge of all federal and Congressional Relations for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Another former AYD President, Gabe Snow, along with the incoming 2008 AYD President, Bree Raum, will lead the planning for our JJ Dinner in 2008. AYD’s outgoing President, Jim McBride, has served as an ACDC Precinct Operations Vice Chair and as campaign manager for Delegate Al Eisenberg.

Still another former AY D President, Mike Lieberman, serves as ACDC’s Finance Vice Chair, and was campaign manager for incoming County Board Chair, Walter Tejada. AYD Party Representative, Chris King, led Arlington’s 21/51 Committee in helping our State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple’s successful drive to retake a Democratic majority in the Virginia Senate.

AYD leader, Amanda Brino, served as a 2007 Joint Campaign Co-Chair—sweeping Arlington Democrats into control of all elected offices in Arlington. AYD’s Political Director in 2007, Kip Malinosky, is now serving as the campaign manager for the 2008 School Board Democratic endorsement campaign of fellow AYD, Terron Sims. AYD leader, John Grant, served as campaign manager for Mary Hynes’ County Board campaign, while another AYD leader, Jonathan Morgenstein, serves as ACDC’s Program Director.

As we move into 2008, AYD has chosen another great team of leaders who are destined to continue the leadership tradition of their predecessors: Bree Raum (President), Amanda Wolfe (Vice President), Michelle McCall (Secretary), Amy Lewis (Treasurer), and Christine Lamb (Finance Chair). I have to pause here to note, with admiration and respect, that every single AYD officer I have just named is a woman! The balance of the 2008 AYD leadership team named so far includes: Charlie Burnham (Political Director), Chris King (Party Representative), Sarah Godlewski (Outreach Director), and Miles Grant (Community Service).

As you know, the coming year will be highlighted by spirited statewide electoral contests for President and United States Senator. As was the case in 2006 when Arlington swept Jim Webb to a Virginia victory by providing him with a 33,000 vote margin in Arlington, we will be called on once again to provide the margin of victory for our Presidential and Senate candidates. The leadership, creativity, energy, and vision of AYD will set the pace for us to meet those challenges.

                                 PETER ROUSSELOT

Thank You,

Joan McDermott and Sarah Zevin
Democratic Values in Action Co-Chairs