Democrats hold every seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates inside the Capital Beltway except the 34th district which includes McLean and other parts of Fairfax County.
The party’s interest in the seat has significantly increased since incumbent Del. Vincent Callahan, R-McLean, announced his retirement in March after 40 years as a legislator. But even before Callahan stepped aside, two Democrats — Richard “Rip” Sullivan and Margaret Vanderhye— began vying for their party’s nomination. A June 12 primary will settle the race.
The nomination contest has been largely collegial, though Vanderhye, a longtime Democratic activist, said Sullivan is a political newcomer and questioned his commitment to the local party during a recent debate. Sullivan said he has “voted religiously” but is among the “tragically large number of people” who have been “turned off” by the political vitriol and negativity.
“I’ve been a pretty busy guy,” said Sullivan, referring to his four children and law practice. “I finally decided I could not sit by and watch what is happening in Richmond continue.”
Transportation is a huge issue in the district, especially given the years of disruption the planned Metro line through Tysons Corner will cause to Route 7 and Route 123 during its construction.
Vanderhye, who is a gubernatorial appointee to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, said her first priority in Richmond would be to secure state or federal funds to pay for traffic mitigation around the Tysons Metro work sites.
“Tysons is an elusive enigma because it developed in a haphazard fashion, and we could have planned it so much better,” she said. “We need to transform Tysons from a series of suburban office parks into an urban center. The displacement will be significant.”
Sullivan has been a vocal supporter of the proposal to build a tunnel for the Metro line under Tysons instead of following the existing blueprints that call for an elevated track through the area.
“I have been a strong advocate for the tunnel because it will have much less of an impact on traffic,” he said. “The fight is not over. We need to do a tunnel under Tysons.”
The winner of the primary will take on Republican Dave Hunt in the general election. Hunt, a business owner and former Callahan staffer, launched his campaign last week.
