The election primary season is coming to a close and candidates are fervently working in the 11th State Senatorial District. While Senator Steve Martin remains the incumbent, two others are in contention for Martin’s seat.
A Village News series of articles focusing on the primary election, in the 11th, which will take place on Tuesday, June 9, has highlighted the aspirations and issues of two candidates running against Martin. A pitch for your vote from Martin is last in the series.
Martin has a lot of experience in the political arena, starting his political career as a delegate in 1987 before moving on to the Senate in a special election in 1994.
What he calls the “Martin Measures: Conservative Solutions for a Stronger Virginia” states his primary view on today’s issues in the General Assembly and the Commonwealth.
Martin favors a Constitutional Amendment that would ensure that transportation funds can only be spent on transportation projects; ensure fiscal responsibility by limiting Virginia’s spending to the rate of population growth and inflation; enact a phase out and elimination of the corporate income tax – to attract new jobs and grow Virginia’s economy; give school districts the option of removing teachers from unified pay plans, allowing respective districts to better attract and retain good teachers; continue to strengthen our public school system while expanding parental choice in education; ensure every child in Virginia gets a quality education and keep our state agencies accountable by requiring an automatic and secure archiving of all email communication.
“As I live, work, and worship in this community, with and among those I represent, I recognize the critical importance of being open and available to fellow citizens,” Martin wrote on his website. “Whether it is during Session, at a legislative meeting, or even while participating in community events; Truly, I am best able to represent our district when I hear from the whole of it. Hearing your concerns, ideas, and comments each day, enables me to do just that.”
Martin’s list of endorsements is like a who’s who of local politics, and as the election approaches his endeavors are to gain more support.
Recently he was endorsed by the Virginia Chapter of PublicSchoolOptions.org. The alliance of parents supports and defends parents’ rights to access the best public school options for their children. The Coalition supports the creation of public school options, including charter schools, online schools, magnet schools, open enrollment policies and other innovative education programs.
Martin has been challenged in the June 9 Republican Primary by Barry Moore, a Midlothian businessman who believes, among other things, that a candidate should apply [fill out an application]for office.
He has also been challenged by Amanda Chase who has worked in the background of political leaders such as Congressman Randy Forbes, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, Governor Bob McDonnell and former Majority Leader Congressman Eric Cantor.
