Tobar Adds Name to 47th House Race
by Scott McCaffrey, Staff Writer
http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2009/01/30/arlington/news/nw725.prt
The entry of Andres Tobar into the 47th House of Delegates race brings the number of Democratic contenders for the seat to four.
“I am running because I believe we need to change the tone in Richmond,” Tobar said in a campaign announcement. “I want to stop the mean-spirited legislation aimed at the most vulnerable and downtrodden in our society. I will fight to protect and improve our educational standards, so that every student succeeds and is able to achieve his or her dreams.”
Tobar, a 33-year resident of Arlington, is executive director of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center, which supports the hiring of day laborers in Arlington. He also oversees ESL and vocational classes, clothing drives and referral services that are offered to the day laborers on a crisis basis.
Tobar has served as chairman of the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations and is president of the Kiwanis Club of South Arlington. He is treasurer of AHC Inc. (Arlington Housing) and serves on the board of the Arlington Food Assistance Center. He also serves on the social justice committee of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, and has served in a number of positions with the Virginia League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).
In 2003, Tobar sought the Democratic nomination for the 49th House of Delegates seat that was being vacated by Karen Darner. That five-way race was won by Adam Ebbin, who went on to win the general election and continues to serve in the position.
The Democratic primary for the 47th House District will be held on June 9.
Politics: Race In 47th Open Wide
by David Schultz / The Connection
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
NOW THAT Del. Al Eisenberg (D-47) has announced he won’t seek another term in the House of Delegates, th efocus shifts to whom his successor will be. At least four candidates are vying to capture the Democratic nomination in the 47th district, and one more is waiting in the wings.
Miles Grant was the first to throw his hat into the ring. Grant is a local blogger who wrote for the now-defunct Web site Raising Kaine, which advocated for liberal candidates and causes. He also started the blog The Green Miles, which focuses on environmental issues. Grant officially entered the race in mid-November.
Adam Parkhomenko is another contender for the 47th district seat. He is a 23-year-old college student at George Mason University who was active in the presidential campaign of former U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). After the campaign, Parkhomenko started an online movement to encourage then-Democratic nominee Barack Obama to choose Clinton as his running mate.
Patrick Hope entered the race to succeed Eisenberg earlier this week. Hope is the chairman of Arlington’s Community Services Board and has years of experience working with the intellectually disabled community. The ARC of Virginia, a local advocacy group, recently awarded Hope for his efforts in this area.
Andres Tobar, the executive director of the Shirlington Employment and Education Center, also announced his candidacy this week. He was instrumental in the campaigns of both School Board member Emma Violand-Sanchez and County Board Member Walter Tejada (D). If elected, he would be the first Latino member of the Virginia General Assembly.
Alfonso Lopez has not officially entered the race yet. But he has indicated that he is seriously considering doing so. Lopez is the state’s top lobbyist on Capitol Hill, a position he was appointed to by Gov. Tim Kaine (D). He is also the deputy chair of the Arlington Democratic Party.
