The following press release is from Mark Herring for Attorney General. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve had the chance to talk extensively to Senator Herring, and have been very impressed. I’m not ready to endorse, but I certainly think that Herring would make a strong candidate for Virginia AG. For one thing, he’s a proven winner in a “purple”/”swing” area politically, and that’s absolutely crucial for Democrats. In addition, Herring’s Project Vote Smart ratings are generally strong, although clearly he’s not the most progressive Democrat around. Anyway, I’ll look forward to hearing more from Senator Herring, and also from his primary opponents (assuming he has any – Mike Signer? Ward Armstrong? Others?), before deciding who to support. Plus, we’ve got a bunch of races to win first in 2012 before we really focus on 2013. So…back to helping reelect President Obama, defeat George Allen, and all the other work we’ve got to do over the next few months!
HERRING ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
Leesburg- Declaring, “It’s time to get politics out of the Attorney General’s office and return its focus to doing what’s right for the people of Virginia,” State Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun & Fairfax Counties) announced today that he has filed paperwork and will seek the office of Attorney General in 2013. Herring released the following statement:
“Over the last three years, we’ve watched Attorney General Cuccinelli pursue an ideological crusade that is out of step with the mainstream. Time after time, the Attorney General has abused the powers of his office and twisted the law to advance his personal political agenda, which has been costly to taxpayers and costly to the credibility of the office. It’s hurt Virginians and damaged our state’s reputation.
“It’s time to get politics out of the Attorney General’s office and return its focus to doing what’s right for the people of Virginia.
“Virginia cannot afford another Attorney General like Ken Cuccinelli. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what those on the Republican side jockeying to take his place are offering. But what Virginians are looking for is an Attorney General who will restore the people’s trust in the office.
“So after talking with Virginians across the Commonwealth, and with much thought and careful consideration, I have decided to run to be Virginia’s next Attorney General.
“I want to be the Attorney General for all of the people in our state. Virginians deserve the respect and the protection of the law, regardless of the Attorney General’s personal politics.
“And that’s the kind of Attorney General I will be. As I have done in the Senate, I will work to keep Virginia’s families and seniors safe. I will fight to protect consumers, defend civil rights and ensure state agencies are accountable to the people. And I will stand up for the right of women to make their own healthcare decisions without government interference.
“As the only Democrat from Loudoun County in the General Assembly, I’ve stood up to Ken Cuccinelli and his allies in Richmond on the front lines of the legislative fights over their socially divisive agenda. I have won tough races in a swing district in the outer-suburbs of Northern Virginia and I know what it takes to win.
“I look forward to campaigning in every corner of the Commonwealth and introducing Virginia to a new vision for the office of Attorney General.
Mark Herring was elected to the State Senate in 2006, representing Loudoun and Fairfax Counties and previously served as a Loudoun County Supervisor for four years. During his tenure in the Senate, Herring has been a leader in the effort to grow and expand technology-based economic development in Virginia and has worked to make both state and local governments more accountable to the public. Herring led the effort to crack down on new threats to our children’s safety, working closely with law enforcement and prosecutors to keep dangerous new synthetic drugs off the shelves. He has championed legislation to target those who would commit financial scams against our seniors and passed legislation to strengthen penalties for acts of domestic violence. As Co-Chair of the General Assembly’s National Guard Caucus, he has worked to ensure that military personnel, their families and veterans have the full support of the state and communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Herring has lived most of his life in Loudoun County. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia. Since graduating with honors from the University of Richmond School of Law, he has practiced law in Leesburg for 22 years. He is the Principal of the law firm Herring & Turner, P.C. He has been married to his wife, Laura, for 23 years and they have two children.
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