Our Candidates
U. S. Senate
Governor Tim Kaine
Get fired up and watch the video of the campaign kick-off at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market.
Tim Kaine has served people throughout his adult life as a missionary, fair housing attorney, teacher and elected official. He is running for the United States Senate because America needs optimistic doers who know how to find common ground.
Tim grew up in Kansas City, working in his father’s ironworking shop, where he learned the values of thrift and hard work. He graduated from the University of Missouri and Harvard Law School.
Tim began his public service career when he took a year off law school to work with Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. He served as principal of a technical school that taught teenagers carpentry and welding. There, Tim committed his life to serving others and grasped the power of education to enable each person to live up to their God-given potential.
After finishing law school, Tim practiced law for 18 years, specializing in representing people who had been denied housing due to their race or disability. He also began teaching at the University of Richmond, an association that continues to this day.
Tim entered political life in 1994, running for the Richmond City Council in order to heal divisions in city leadership. He served until 2001 as a Councilman and Mayor. During his service, Tim helped implement targeted tax cuts for small businesses and homeowners, built the city’s first new schools in a generation and dramatically cut the city’s crime rate. Richmond saw an economic renaissance that led to increasing population, a bond rating upgrade and recognition by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s ten best cities for doing business.
In 2001, Tim was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. He worked for four years with then-Governor Mark Warner to reform Virginia’s budget and improve Virginia’s education system. During this time, he was co-chair of the 2002 statewide campaign to expand higher education facilities and helped create the New College Institute in Martinsville, greatly expanding opportunities in historically underserved Southside, Virginia.
In 2005, Tim was elected Virginia’s 70th Governor. In the midst of America’s deepest recession in 70 years, Tim led the state to national recognition. Virginia was honored as the best managed state in America (Governing Magazine), the Best State for Business (Forbes.com — four years in a row) and the best state to raise a child (Education Week). Virginia maintained its Triple A bond rating for fiscal management — an honor shared by only 7 states — and had one of the nation’s lowest unemployment rates and highest median incomes.
During his tenure as Governor, Tim demonstrated true fiscal stewardship by cutting the state budget by more than 5 billion dollars, beginning with a reduction in his own salary. But Tim also expanded early childhood and technical education, passed the largest bond package for higher education construction in Virginia history, reformed the state’s mental health and foster care programs, reduced the infant mortality rate, protected open space and the Chesapeake Bay, banned smoking in bars and restaurants, and pushed major rail and public transit improvements throughout the state. Tim also brokered the deal to eliminate Virginia’s estate tax and cut income taxes for tens of thousands of low-income residents.
Tim was the Chairman of the Southern Governor’s Association in 2008-09 and served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 2009 through 2011. He has received numerous awards and honorary degrees from organizations such as the Richmond Bar Association, Virginia Military Institute, the National Fair Housing Alliance, the Virginia Holocaust Museum and the Virginia Council of Churches.
Tim has been married for 27 years to Anne Holton. Anne — the daughter of former Republican Governor Linwood Holton — served as a legal aid lawyer and juvenile court judge before becoming First Lady of Virginia. After working with Tim to reform Virginia’s foster care system, she now helps other states as a child welfare consultant with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Kaines have three children — Nat, Woody and Annella — all of whom attended Richmond Public Schools. The family is active in their church and spends all the time they can camping, hiking, canoeing and biking in Virginia’s outdoors.
Please visit the Tim Kaine for U.S. Senate website and get involved in the campaign!
U. S. House of Representatives
3rd Congressional District – Congressman Bobby Scott
7th Congressional District – Wayne Powell
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Wayne Powell was educated in Richmond public schools. He earned his BA and MA degrees in Spanish, and, after active duty in the U.S. Army, obtained his law degree from the University of Richmond in 1980.
He served for thirty years as an Active Reservist and Active Duty Army officer, serving five years on active duty. He was mobilized after September 11, 2001, commanding a uniquely specialized intelligence unit in the anti-terrorist effort. He retired as a full Colonel from Active Duty in 2002.
While engaged in his military career, during the past 31 years, he developed his law practice and began real estate investment businesses in the late 1990s. During his legal career, he served as Assistant Attorney General under then Attorney General Gerald Baliles, and as Deputy Commissioner of the Virginia Worker’s Compensation Commission. He later became the managing litigation attorney for a Fortune 500 insurance company, and, in 1999, formed the law firm of POWELL & PARRISH, PC, where he is the senior partner.
Let’s all give our full support to our nominee (and the next congressman) from the 7th Congressional District. Check out Wayne’s website for ways to get involved.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES IN THE 2011 ELECTIONS!!!
State Senate
Senate District 9 – Donald McEachin
Senator McEachin is running for his second term in the Virginia State Senate. Senator McEachin received his undergraduate degree from American University, a J.D. from the University of Virginia Law School, and a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union. Senator McEachin practices law with the firm of McEachin and Gee.
In the State Senate, Senator McEachin works to champion those most vulnerable – the elderly, the infirm, children, those with disabilities and those whom society chooses to ignore or treat unfairly. He is very concerned about the future of our environment and our earth and feels we have a duty to succeeding generations to combat global warming and our irrepressible appetite for fossil fuels.
He continues to fight to prohibit discrimination against any individual because of his or her sexual or gender orientation. He believes that ALL Virginians should have equal opportunity and justice. He has also been at the forefront of working to both create and retain good-paying jobs in the Commonwealth.
Although the Senator does not have an opponent, he is very busy this election cycle both raising money and campaigning for his colleagues in the State Senate. If the Democratic majority were to lose, the consequences for Virginians would be very serious and very detrimental.
House of Delegates
House District 70 – Delores McQuinn
Delores L. McQuinn was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 70th district in January 2009. She serves on the Counties, Cities, and Towns; Transportation; and Commerce and Labor Committees.
Prior to her election to the House of Delegates, McQuinn was a member of the Richmond City Council, serving from 1999-2009. She was a member of the Richmond School Board from 1992-1996.
McQuinn studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University. She now serves as the Associate Minister at New Baptist Church.
Delores’ life has been and continues to be marked with public service that includes commitments to her community; some of her many current and past commitments have included being Chairperson of the Richmond City Council Public Safety Committee and Chair of the Richmond Slave Trail Commission. Her memberships include the Advisory Board of Health, the Board of Directors of the Vernon J. Harris East End Community Health Center, the Board of Directors of the East District Family Resource Center and the Board of Richmond Region 2007.
House District 71 – Jennifer McClellan
Jennifer McClellan was elected to represent the 71st District in the Virginia House of Delegates in 2005. She serves on the Commerce and Labor, Courts of Justice, and Education Committees. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus.
Jennifer is Assistant General Counsel Mid-Atlantic South for Verizon Communications. Jennifer’s community service extends to a wide variety of organizations, including the National Foundation for Women Legislators, the State Board of the Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership, the Richmond SPCA, the State Fair of Virginia, the Virginia Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs, and Boaz & Ruth.
Jennifer was born in Petersburg and attended public school in Chesterfield County. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and her law degree from the University of Virginia. She is married to David Mills and mother to Jackson McClellan Mills.
House District 74 – Joseph D. Morrissey
Joseph D. Morrissey was sworn into the Virginia House of Delegates in January 2008. He represents the 74th House District of Virginia which includes Charles City, Henrico County, and the City of Richmond. He serves on both the Education Committee as well as the Health Welfare & Institutions Committee.
Delegate Morrissey is a 1979 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he majored in economics and minored in chemistry. He received his law degree in 1982 from Georgetown University and a Masters-in-Law degree in 2003 from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where he was a visiting lecturer. Delegate Morrissey taught law school for five years in both Ireland and Australia. He is a former high school government teacher and wrestling coach. Delegate Morrissey is a former Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (1989-1993).
He currently lives in Highland Springs and is a member of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Richmond, Virginia. His community activities include the Varina Lions Club, the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, and the Special Olympics of Virginia. During his spare time, Delegate Morrissey enjoys various outdoor activities including: boating, water skiing, running, horseback riding, and cycling.
Constitutional
Commonwealth’s Attorney – Shannon L. Taylor
Shannon L. Taylor received a bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1989. After graduation, she worked at Hunton and Williams law firm in Richmond before attending law school and receiving her J.D. in 1995 from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond.
From 1996 to 2004, Ms. Taylor prosecuted all areas of crime, from juvenile and domestic relations to homicides at the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. During that time, she was twice assigned as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to the United States Attorney’s Office in Richmond. In 1999, Ms. Taylor prosecuted all cases stemming from Project Exile. In 2002-2004, her responsibilities increased with the expansion of Project Safe Neighborhoods, and included prosecuting more violent crimes, particularly commercial armed robberies, in federal court.
In addition to prosecuting, Ms. Taylor was in charge of many projects, including the Project Safe
Neighborhoods grant and a project called “Operation Squalor,” which began in 1998 as an attempt by the prosecutor’s office to fight blight issues and developed into a global approach to Community Prosecution. Ms. Taylor also spoke to organizations and taught at various conferences about Project Exile and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
From February, 2004 to March 31, 2008, she was in charge of the Richmond Metropolitan Multi-
Jurisdiction Grand Jury which included the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico, Hanover and
Chesterfield. In addition to assisting in numerous homicide and drug investigations, she also handled prosecutions in all areas covered by the statute.
She is currently employed by the law firm of Boone Beale where she practices criminal defense work.
Board of Supervisors
Fairfield District – Frank J. Thornton
Frank J. Thornton is an Assistant Professor of French at Virginia Union University. He is a graduate of Virginia Union University with a Bachelor’s degree in French and from American University where he received his Master’s degree in 20th Century French. He was first elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1995 and is the first black supervisor in the County. He was elected Chairman of the Board for the 2011 calendar year.
Mr. Thornton has been a member of the Henrico Board of Supervisors since 1996. His political career includes posts to the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization; the Henrico County Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and the Volunteer Rescue Squads, Inc.; VACo’s Education Steering Committee and Resolutions Committee; NACo’s Human Services and Education Steering Committee and VML’s Human Development and Education Policy Committee and Legislative Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Social Services and was appointed by Governor Kaine to the Virginia Policy Task Force and by Governor Allen to the Region 3 Open Space Preservation Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Henrico County Democratic Committee, the Local Elected Democratic Caucus Advisory Board and the VML Legislative Committee and has been a member of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission board since July 2001.
Varina District – Tyrone Nelson
Tyrone Nelson, pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Church, is running as our Democratic candidate for Varina Supervisor. Tyrone has long been a community activist. A former magisterial chair of the HCDC, he is also a Board member of Ruth and Boaz, Culture Works, The Shops at White Oak Village Community Development Authority and Henrico County Social Services; he was also recognized in Style Magazine’s 2009 “Top 40 Under 40” and is a 2011 recipient of a Richmond NAACP award. Just this summer, Tyrone cancelled Sunday worship services at his church and took his parishioners into the community to perform good works and service.
Tyrone wants to use these experiences to ensure the Varina gets its fair share and is not always at the end of the line for good things, while at the front of the line for bad things. Western Henrico has seen new schools in the past five years, but Varina still awaits the high school they were promised in the 2005 bond referendum. While the Tuckahoe library boasts not only twenty-first century technology but a café serving gourmet lattes, Varina struggles with a tiny antiquated library. Yet, the East End Landfill, although cited for state violations nine times and over the objections of Varina residents, continues to be a mountain on the Henrico horizon.
Tyrone insists that this change and encourages all Henrico Democrats to join him to ensure that Frank Thornton has a colleague on the Board of Supervisors, and that our School Board members and Democratic legislators have a partner they can trust.
School Board
Fairfield District – Lamont Bagby
Lamont Bagby is a graduate of Henrico High School. He has been an educator in Henrico County Public Schools since graduating from Norfolk State University. He also earned a Master’s in Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Serving as a coach, business teacher, administrator, and current school board chair, Mr. Bagby takes pride in his commitment to school improvement, especially in the Fairfield district. He dedicates himself to giving back to the community that nurtured him and positively impacted his life.
“It is our charge to prepare our young people to become products of their parents’ prayers instead of products of their environment,” said Bagby. “Often our youth are subject to misfortunes that prevent them from focusing on their education. We must be mindful of these obstacles and prepare meaningful support to help our students to cope with domestic violence, drug abuse, gang-related activity and hunger. These factors must be considered as the school board structures nontraditional and after-school programs that include support systems to address and combat these issues. I feel it is critical to collaborate with the community to increase opportunities for our youth.”
Varina District – John Montgomery
John W. Montgomery Jr. is seeking his second term representing the Varina District (Highland Springs, Sandston and Varina) on the Henrico County Public School Board. John is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree at West Point, he served as an airborne ranger infantry office in a variety of positions. After leaving the Army, he joined the National Guard and served with the 5th Infantry Division. Once his unit was deactivated from federal service, he returned to Tulane Law School where he graduated with honors.
He began his legal career with a Richmond firm and went on to establish his own law firm. Today, he and his partner represent clients throughout the greater Richmond area. In 2003, Governor Warner appointed Mr. Montgomery at the 3rd Congressional District member of the Board of Directors of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. He also served Gov. Warner as a military aid-de-camp. In 2007, Gov. Kaine reappointed Mr. Montgomery to the board at DGIF. He also served both Governors Warner and Kaine as a military aid-de-camp.
John has two sons who attend Henrico County Public Schools. He has served as the PTA president of his sons’ elementary school, and has coached and assisted with numerous youth sports programs in the area. Additionally, Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Board of Directors at the Chickahominy YMCA.
“Serving the children, parents and other citizens of Henrico County has and continues to be one of life’s greatest blessings.”