The Washington Post, in stunning fashion, endorsed Senator Ralph Northam for Lt. Governor and Justin Fairfax for Attorney General this past Sunday, giving both candidates a boost in vote rich Northern Virginia in the upcoming June, 2013 Democratic primary.
The Post endorsement had this to say about Ralph Northam:
As a relative newcomer to the legislature, and the only physician in the state Senate, he was the chief sponsor of landmark legislation, in 2009, banning smoking in Virginia restaurants. Mr. Northam has also built a highly successful medical practice as a pediatric neurologist. While Mr. Chopra has been a pioneer in infusing government with entrepreneurial spirit, Mr. Northam has a combination of legislative know-how and private-sector acumen.
The Post, in endorsing Justin Fairfax, had this to say:
Mr. Fairfax, 34, who prosecuted robbery and drug cases in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Alexandria after a stint at a corporate law firm, is the more dynamic candidate and our choice for the Democratic nomination. Mr. Herring has a greater range of experience, but Mr. Fairfax combines an agile and impressive command of the issues with a prosecutor’s passion for justice.
The Post ended their endorsement with this:
Some in Virginia have lamented what they see as a thin political bench among Democrats. But this crop of candidates suggests the emergence of a talented new generation. Republicans picked their nominees for attorney general and lieutenant governor over the weekend; because they did so in a closed convention, we did not make endorsements.
Congratulations to Ralph Northam and Justin Fairfax.
