For immediate release
July 28, 2011, Alexandria, VA – Former Delegate Karen Darner today endorsed Libby Garvey as her choice to replace Sen. Patsy Ticer in the Virginia Senate’s 30th District. “Libby Garvey’s success on the Arlington County School Board for the past 14 years has proven she is the education expert we need in Richmond,” Darner said. “Libby will also be an effective voice against the attacks we see in Richmond on women’s and minority rights. She has more elected office experience than either of the other candidates and will continue to serve our entire region capably and admirably as our next Virginia Senator.”
Former Delegate Darner, who was also a Speech Therapist in the Arlington County Public Schools for 35 years, represented the 49th District from 1991 to 2004. Upon her retirement, the Roanoke Times referred to her as the “…staunchest protector of minority rights in Richmond.” Her seat is currently open following the retirement of 30th Senate District candidate and Darner’s successor, Adam Ebbin, from the House of the Delegates.
“I’m so grateful for Karen Darner’s support,” Garvey said. “Karen’s work on our behalf is a true inspiration for how I plan to represent our community. I look forward to working with her and others to protect our rights and strengthen our public education system for all Virginians.”
Libby Garvey currently serves as a member of the Arlington County School Board, having just completed her 5th term as Chair. She has spent her life helping others, first as a waitress helping her mom make ends meet and later as a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa. Today, as a cancer survivor, grandmother, and widow, she’s still at it. While on the school board, Garvey helped successfully establish full-day Kindergarten, instituted nondiscrimination employment policies to protect the rights of gays and lesbians, and led a school-renovation program that has been on-time and on-budget. In the Senate, Garvey will stand up, speak out and fight back.
Garvey announced her intention to seek the Democratic nomination for the Virginia Senate’s 30th District following the announcement of Senator Patsy Ticer’s retirement. Garvey has been previously endorsed by Senator Patsy Ticer, Fairfax County Supervisor Gerry Hyland, and former Alexandria Vice-Mayor Andrew Macdonald, among others. The primary will take place on August 23rd.
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