I have probably known Rex and Morris as long as anyone on the site except for their wives.  Rex has been my next door neighbor for the last 8 years and I met Morris when he first came to the Springfield Democratic Committee even before he moved here.  I respect both of them and will work my butt off to get whoever wins the primary elected.

I have had the chance to talk to both of them and to listen to their ideas.  It is my opinion that Rex Simmons is the right candidate to defeat Tim Hugo in November and represent the 40th District in Richmond.

Rex has a complete understanding of the issues that concern many of us here in the 40th, transportation, education, taxes, and the environment.  I think his experience as a government auditor will be invaluable in making him an effective member of the House of Delegates.

Early in his campaign I was talking with Rex about the issues that are important to him.  I was quite impressed with his ideas on making college eduacation affordable.  In all areas his ideas have seemed to me to be well thought out.  Rex is very intelligent and will be a Delegate we can be proud of.

Mark Itzkoff

Have you taught your boy Rex to stop making up his figures when he talks in public?

I find it interesting how Rex has been ushered around by you as the "insider" candidate in the 40th despite not even having joined the Democratic Committee until this year AFTER he had declared his candidacy, I guess it pays off to be neighborly with the Committee Chair.

-Nate

Nate,
Rex was an "IG"... Inspector General and could not be politically active until after he officially retired the first week of January from government service. Something called the "Hatch Act" as well as his own personal ethics.... I'm not in their district, but I am helping either anytime they ask and I have been impressed that we have another situation similar to Margi and Rip.... both are qualified, both have unique strengths, but most of all both have the smarts, energy, and basic skills to win this year.

Rex was very careful to follow the requirements of the Hatch Act.  Others we are now hearing about (Karl Rove) did not have Rex's sense of ethics and are now under investigation.

There are many people in our area who are government employees and are limited by the Hatch Act.  I have talked to many of them about different Democratic Party activities and have often been told that they can not join or engage in fundraising, etc.

I don't think following the law or having a strong sense of ethics should disqualify someone from elected office.

reasons why you think Morris Meyer might be the better candidate, you'd potentially make a lot more progress among people like me.  How about telling me why Meyer's experience and positions on the issues are, in your opinion, better than Simmons'?  Thanks.

Myers gave money to NGD.  Next question.

NGD gave the Meyer campaign money.

And he is clearly the better prepared to jump right into the job on day one.

I have had a chance to hear both speak on several occasions, and although I think Morris Meyer would be a very good candidate as well, Rex has a firmer grasp on the issues as they affect County residents.

Criticism of Rex's relationship to the local Democratic Party are specious. He was a federal employee thus prohibited from any overt political activity until shortly before he decided to run. It is clear from his positions on the issues, and the easy way he answers questions related to county problems, that he is a committed Democrat with experience in dealing with those problems as a long time resident.

His experience as a federal auditor for the GAO, and assistant Inspector General for two federal bank regulatory agencies have given him the experience he needs to make sure Virginia remains the best managed in the nation.

While Morris Meyer has alot going for him, the clear choice for me is to endorse Rex Simmons!

Got to give Morris some love since everyone seems keen on Rex.

The two of them spoke at Brigades the other night. Morris came across as genuine, caring, a dad and a responsible citizen who want to change Virginia for the better. Rex came across as a little too smarmy and polish, a true politician.

Given that their policies are almost identical (as is the case in most of these primaries), I've got to go with the "genuine" candidate. Go Morris!

See his website here, courtesy of the internet archive.  Meyer lost that race to Rep. Joe Barton (R) by a 66% to 33% margin.

I also had the opportunity to meet Morris before he had even bought a house here last year.  At the time, he was working to learn the area and learn the issues.  I think that he's doing a good job with that, and that he is becoming better at conveying his ideas in a positive and convincing way.  I also am convinced that he wants to be elected to something.  There are certain issues about which he is passionate -- most obviously the environment.

I got to know Rex in December, just as he was about to retire and was looking at this race.  I agree with the previous commenter that Rex was extremely careful to avoid any political activities while he was in his government job, which indicates a great deal about his integrity and his commitment to truly responsible governing.  That is vitally important to me in an elected -- especially since neither of these men has a record as a legislator.

I also am convinced that Rex wants THIS job, specifically.  He understands the issues of the community and the state, and I believe that he understands his potential role in affecting those issues. 

I agree that Rex sometimes can seem a little aloof when he speaks to a group.  I think that he will improve over time.  More importantly, though, when you speak to him in a smaller group, he really conveys the sense that he means what he says, that he thinks carefully about the issues, that he values your input as a member of the community, and that he stands up for the things that he believes in.  And that's why I'm volunteering for him, even though I don't live in that district.

I first heard about Morris while working on the Andy Hurst campaign. While we where breaking down doors trying to bring in active volunteers, Morris got in touch with us and lent his expertise in setting up our Phonebank from Home system. I am very concerned with the 40th and know how important it is to take this district this year, and I know that Morris is the strongest candidate to take down Hugo. In the wake of Gore-Mania, Morris rides the crest of the environmental activism wave by being a presenter of the Climate Change Project, a grassroots community outreach program designed from An Inconvenient Truth. Additionally, he ran against Congressman Joe Barton in a district that literally had no democratic base; so he rallied the troops and built democratic infrastructure from the ground up. He knows how grassroots works, and that's what's going to take the fight home for us in the 40th.

I appreciate Rex's situation with the hatch act and it's wonderful that he can start getting involved, but I look for experience, ability, and commitment to the party in primary candidates and I have already seen things things from Morris: thats why I'll be supporting Morris on June 12th.

I am supporting Morris because I drive on 66 every day to get to work. Hugo has made it clear that he is not concerned with this problem. When I spoke with Morris he understood that while traffic is never fun and it is bad for our economic growth in the region, the reason it effects, me and him directly is because the time he, his wife, and I spend in traffic is time that we are not at home with our kids and our spouses. Morris and I agree we need to send people to Richmond willing to work with the Gov. to get a dedicated stream of funding to transportation and make sure the transportation fund is only used for transportation. Morris is focused on the right issues (Transportation, Education, Energy) and he understands how they effect the people he hopes to represent. That is whom I want as my delegate and that is why I support Morris.

I had the pleasure to meet Rex at the recent Green Breakfast in Fairfax and he is practical and knowledgeable regarding many many issues pertinent to our county: traffic, transportation, tree canopy, green issues, funding, legislative process.  Though we disagree on a few issues he is so well researched and reasonable about his views he is a pleasure to know. I believe he will work towards consensus based solutions for our problems.  I'll vote REX. 
Brent

I want to thank Raising Kaine for shining a spotlight on the 40th District House of Delegates Democratic primary election on June 12.  I look forward to the Live Blog Radio debate on Sunday evening and to reading blogger comments over the next 10 days.  I am running for Delegate because the Republican-led General Assembly has spent too much time on partisan game playing and not enough on smart legislating.  The incumbent delegate, Tim Hugo, has few accomplishments after three terms and seemingly takes direction from the far right wing of his party.

As Democrats, we must choose the right candidate to defeat Hugo in the general election in November.  Let me tell you why I am the right candidate and why I am the most qualified to be a General Assembly delegate.

I have spent my career making government work better.  For the past 32 years, I worked in the federal civil service as an Assistant Inspector General with two bank regulatory agencies and an auditor with the Government Accountability Office.  I will be a Delegate who takes that knowledge and experience with me to Richmond to work on fixing our traffic mess, controlling sprawl, strengthening education, making college more affordable, tackling the exploding costs of health care, ensuring the quality and affordability of elder care, and protecting the environment.

These are the issues that my friends and neighbors in Fairfax County have talked about over the 30 years my wife and I have lived here.  In the past two months, the people in this district have provided me with so many insights as I have knocked personally on several thousand doors and phoned many others.  People who have never before been involved with politics are helping me by introducing me to their neighbors and friends and contributing money.  Long established networks with civil service colleagues and community circles have been widened.  I have been embraced by many Democratic activists in the 40th district as well.  This is a true grass roots effort that is the key to how I will win the primary and the general election.

Some might say I'm slightly bias, yet I believe my perspective might be valuable to the voters of the 40th.  I see Morris passionately campaigning, tirelessly devoting hours each day to listening to voters on the doorsteps or the phone, strategizing with his team on how to beat Hugo, constantly researching the issues and better ways to move Virginia forward, going to events and presenting on climate change throughout the area - a topic close to his heart. 

I see Morris helping our children with their homework, coaching soccer, cooking his famous salmon recipe, doing a better job than me mopping the floors of our home, running errands, heading out of the house for his sometimes 1 hour commute on Fairfax County Parkway, and spending time alone with me each night reconnecting and talking.

I know how hard Morris will work for this district, because he already is, and he already has been since he first laid foot on Virginia soil.  He was fighting for democratic principles years before - it's in his heart and it is who he is.  I love this man with my heart and soul - I love his passion for protecting our planet and our democracy, I love his commitment to his family and work, and I love his endless desire to learn.

As a native to the area with 3 children in Clifton Elementary School, a commuter to Tyson's Corner, an advocate for seniors (I work in the assisted living field), and a passionate democrat in my own right, I support Morris whole-heartedly and can't imagine anyone better to represent me or my neighbors in the 40th district.

Teri Meyer

I don't know Mr. Simmons but I have had the pleasure to know Morris for quite some time starting as college roommates 'back in the day'.  I'm pleased to have been able to spend more time with Morris after he moved to Virginia.  We have similar roots in science and engineering, as well as similar values that treasure relationships, our community, and the environment.

I know one thing for sure, engineers are critical and objective thinkers, and practical problem solvers.

If the 40th District has any problems to be solved that require thoughtful deliberation, analysis of the facts and opinions, and a reasoned approach....then we should help elect someone who can help engineer the best solution.

I think this is what Morris will deliver for us.

Ben

I've got to keep this somewhat short as I'm at work in Reston for a company that is creating software the inter-departmental electronic interchange of government contracts.  As Teri mentioned I'm spending roughly the same two hours a day schlepping up and back Fairfax County Parkway and 28 as other folks from the 40th District.

Our campaign has been talking to voters on their doorstep since last December, and I'm canvassing almost every day.  The voters that I have talked with are tired of being slaves to their steering wheels, creeping down clogged roads to and from their homes.

Locally our transportation system is broken and our campaign and the efforts of Governor Kaine and the Democrats in the General Assembly are making the case to Virginians that we need to fund transportation much like education - with sustainable funding that matches our aspirations and dreams for the infrastrucure that will bolster the economy of one of the nation's most prosperous region.  Our investments in transportation are vital to preserve the luster of northern Virginia as one of the nicest places to live in America.

In addition to sustainable funding, our campaign is calling for a public transportation system that provides service to the edges of where folks are commuting.  We have a system of trunks and leaves (heavy rail and some buses)  and we need a public transportation of trunks, branches and leaves (heavy rail, light rail and bus rapid transit) that provides a road-unclogging alternative to gridlock.

We need to utilize online tools to match up commuters with their neighbors to form on-demand car pools that increase traffic density.  We also need to utilize telecommuting at the federal, state and local levels to give back those hours behind the wheel to hard-working Virginia families.

We also need to make sure that we foster smarter growth with higher density walkable and transit oriented development with proffers from developers for the initial install of the roads as well as the ongoing maintenance burden.

As some might have heard I was asked to be part of Al Gore's Climate Change project at the start of this year.  I ran for Congress against the #2 global warming denier, taking on a Clean Air Villian when no one else would.

Just this morning I was informing one of our Democratic delegates about the sea level rise around Jamestown based on the best available climate modeling science.  Virginia needs progressive energy policy, strong and vigorous efforts toward conservation, and investment in sustainable energy resources to address the challenge of global warming, create new green energy jobs and industries and pass on a better environment to the next generation.

We have between two and ten years to address global warming before climate change is "locked it", with changes between 2 and 10 degress Celcius that will profoundly alter the world as we know it.  We have the technology to address the challenge of global warming and we need the political will to use the guiding hand of government to move our state towards a more efficient and sustainable future. 

I spend many long hours after canvassing researching issues because I believe it is crucial not just to identify problems but to offer solutions.  Someone once told me that there are two types of folks who enter politics - those that are interested in policy - and those that are interested in power.  Color me a policy geek that would like to be a policy wonk crafting progressive legislation for Virginia.

Our Issues page talks about substantive progressive issues.  One that I'm very passionate about is Reinvigorating our Democracy to bring same-day registration, non-partisan redistricting and complete transparency to the General Assembly's committees and subcommittees.

As the owner of a small business I personally know how crippling health care costs can be and have called for opening up our state employee health care program to small business owners to more cheaply cover themselves and their employees under the large pool of coverage from the state plan.

Finally, as someone who started out from the grassroots and the netroots (my Congressional campaign was the second campaign in America to use blog ads) I believe in Democratic infrastructure and have a consistent track record of improving the Democratic party.

I've recruited and trained candidates, helped create Democratic clubs, created software for Andy Hurst's campaign, helped Jim Webb's campaign by printing and dropping off millions of dollars in call sheets to help his fundraising, and I've helped Jim Simos locally with John Foust's campaign as well as Carlos del Toro's House of Delegates campaign.

I do this not to hold office, but because our country has gone from "ask not" to "what's in it for me" from the Republican idea factory and I believe it is every patriot's solemn responsibility to fight for fairness, opportunity and equality for all Americans.

In closing, I have promised that you will never have to wonder where I stand on an issue.  You'll hear me fighting for our values in Richmond with everything that I have.

--morris meyer

Democratic Candidate
House of Delegates - 40th District
morris@morrismeyer.com

I go to GMU and I meet Morris when we both volunteered for the Andrew Hurst campaign last year.  Morris's positions on expanding access to pre-school and striving to provide the funding we need to all of Virginia's great Colleges and Universities address my core issue of education. 

As Democrats I think we get attacked from the right about over spending on social welfare programs, but I have always felt that the best way to create a better economy, and reduce the need for social welfare programs and improve society in general is to make longer-term investments in education. 

Morris shares these feelings of dedication to education with me and many other progressives and that is why I am supporting Morris.

Rex Simmons has the edge in my opinion, for several reasons.  First, I think that Simmons, while clearly progressive on the issues, is tempermentally better suited to work in the give and take atmosphere of the House of Delegates.  For example, he supported the bipartisan bill on transportation that was sent to Gov. Kaine knowing that it was important to get a bill, even an imperfect one, to the Governor for the latter's amendment and improvement.  Meyer has said he would not have supported that bipartisan bill.

Second, I think that Simmons' willingness to work with the opposition to find acceptable solutions will resonate better with voters in the 40th district than Meyer's more strident approach.  While Kaine and Webb carried the district, they did so by fairly narrow margins, and the district has a strong Republican turnout.  In a word, I think Simmons is a lot more electable in a district that was drawn as a Republican district.

Third, I too heard Simmons and Meyer at a recent Brigades meeting, and felt that Simmons was more forthright,  authoritative, and passionate in his words.  He itemized Hugo's dismal record, while Meyer did not. Also, he was the more articulate of the two in my opinion. 

Fourth, I don't think it should be held against Simmons that he is a newcomer to Virginia Democratic politics.  Until he retired in Janurary 2007, he was a "Hatched" federal employee and barred from partisan activities.  While a newcomer to politics, he and his family (unlike the Meyer family) are long-time residents of Northern Virginia, and have strong ties to our communities in NOVA.

In short, while both Simmons and Meyer would make good candidates, I have concluded that Simmons is the better of the two.

I have known Rex Simmons for more than thirty years. During that time I have worked with him and for him. Over the years I have seen Rex exhibit many positive characteristics. Three characteristics come to mind that I believe served him especially well during his government career and will serve Virginians equally well if he is elected to represent the 40th district. First and foremost is his evenhandedness when dealing with people from all backgrounds. How Rex deals with a person is not biased by their gender, age, or racial, cultural, or financial background. Along with Rex's evenhandedness with people is his dedication to the highest ethical standards. Rex does not compromise his integrity for the sake of acceptance, expediency, or any other factor. A third characteristic is Rex's drive to ensure that projects he is tasked with are completed timely and with available resources. All in all, Rex should make an outstanding elected representative who will serve his constituents exceptionally well.