They’re out-of-the gate, off and running. We have Democrats. We have Republicans. (And Libertarians. And independents. Oh my.)
But, before the field hits the first turn, an admittedly self-interested appraisal of the statewide candidates based on geography — along with one note of exceedingly good fortune.
All of the Democrats are from Northern Virginia. One holds statewide office now — Attorney General Mark Herring, seeking a third consecutive term. The Democratic Party candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe, held the office previously.
You may fairly say those two guys can find Hampton Roads on a map and are, in fact, possessed of a good working knowledge of what this region constitutes and what it needs.
Prince William Del. Hala S. Ayala, who won the Democratic Party nomination for lieutenant governor, may wish to get a briefing.
Show her what the inside of a tunnel looks like. Take a boat ride. Climb in a container. Here, have some taffy and a seat on the beach. Wave to a frigate.
Meanwhile, those Republicans. They all bear local imprints. They already know that Oceana is not exactly about the ocean.
Glen Youngkin, the GOP candidate for governor, grew up here. Del. Jason S. Miyares, the Republican candidate for attorney general, represents a district in Virginia Beach. Republican Winsome Sears, a Winchester plumber these days, once held a Norfolk House seat and won her party’s nomination for lieutenant governor.
That’s the geographic line-up and there’s one more thing: The General Assembly has “money” committees. Finance. Appropriations. Very important when they divvy up the proceeds.
Every one of the money committees is chaired by someone from Northern Virginia.
Conclusion? Not to be excessively provincial, you know, but Hampton Roads is not other places. It has certain economic and cultural characteristics. It has water, for instance, and the need to get over or under it. It has other stuff, too, and issues that need tending.
Once upon a time, Hampton Roads had clout in the General Assembly. These days, it’s more like, “Where have you gone, Del. Chris Jones? Our region turns its lonely eyes to you.”
It’s not quite that bad, perhaps. We still get heard and have influential members of the legislature, Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas of Portsmouth chief among them.
But can we influence and direct outcomes? Can we command, as in days of yore? Not really.
Essentially we make do with volunteers — prominent figures in business or academe or something who just step up and voice a regional perspective, while offering direction and purpose.
Occasionally, figures of standing combine into something useful and collaborative. Reinvent Hampton Roads, with outstanding participants involved, is a splendid example.
Or we get lucky. A new talent emerges or, in one notable instance, returns home. That just happened. The current Virginia Secretary of Finance Aubrey Lee Layne, Jr. will join Sentara Healthcare the first of July.
Layne served as Virginia secretary of transportation under Gov. Terry McAuliffe and may be the most skilled and effective public servant in a generation. What Layne did to get transportation projects prioritized and completed more quickly was nothing short of extraordinary.
Layne knows Hampton Roads. He served as president of the Achievable Dream Academy in Newport News and ran Great Atlantic Properties in Virginia Beach. He got his MBA at Old Dominion.
And he knows Richmond. He knows the State Capitol, the lawmakers and the agencies. He knows (has thrived in) the private sector. He knows all the personalities.
Layne “has guided Virginia’s plans for financing public health, public safety, public education, and much more,” said Gov. Ralph Northam, who also hails from this region. He “knows how to deliver results, and his experience will be great asset for Sentara.”
He’s everyone’s asset.
It’s time to get the word out to all statewide political aspirants that our region has specific characteristics, specific challenges and specific priorities. All hands on deck.
It’s good news that Aubrey Layne will be on duty.
