Progressive Voice: Holland for Sullivan in the 48th

Progressive Voice is a weekly opinion column. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.

Arlington’s recent trend of monthly elections will continue with a special election on August 19th to choose the successor to our retiring Delegate in the 48th District, Bob Brink.

Following an intense, week-long campaign, Democrats nominated Rip Sullivan as their candidate for the special election. Although I finished second in Sunday’s nominating caucus, I’m proud to give my endorsement and full support to Rip Sullivan.

Rip will be an outstanding candidate and he can be counted on to be the same kind of thoughtful and effective legislator as Bob Brink was during his 17 years of service as 48th District Delegate.

Rip will also be an important ally to Governor McAuliffe and work tirelessly to promote policies and values that align with the majority of the residents of the 48th District. He will focus on issues such as women’s health care, environmental protection, education funding, expanding access to health care, affordable housing, transportation solutions, and advancing the rights of LGBT Virginians. Rip will work against a House Republican agenda that is out of step with the 48th District.

Rip and his wife Beth met in high school here in Northern Virginia. They raised their four kids here, and they have all graduated from public schools. Rip and his wife used to live in Arlington, and they continue to spend lots of time here — professionally and socially.

Rip also has extensive experience serving Northern Virginia and the 48th District in a volunteer capacity as an appointed member on numerous local, regional, and statewide commissions. His local experience includes service on the Fairfax Transportation Advisory Commission, Consumer Protection Commission, Housing and Redevelopment Authority and Park Authority. He’s the former president of the non-profit Legal Services of Northern Virginia, and was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to the Virginia Commission on Civics Education.

These experiences have given Rip a deep understanding of issues and policies that are important to residents of the 48th District.

On transportation, Rip understands that effective transportation and transit solutions can achieve multiple goals: reduce congestion, protect and create open space, preserve affordable housing, and promote economic development.

As the father of a special education teacher, Rip recognizes the importance of assessing progress, both for our students and our teachers, without creating additional hurdles and barriers to success. He is a strong supporter of SOL reforms that result in sensible testing requirements – requirements that measure our student’s achievements, identify achievement gaps, and provide our teachers with the flexibility to teach beyond the test.

Rip has worked to protect and expand affordable housing opportunities in our region. He understands how to leverage federal housing resources to meet identified housing needs at the community level.

On the environment, Rip is a strong advocate for increasing our investment in renewable energy. To address the impact of climate change, he supports a renewable portfolio standard and incentives. He also supports tax credits that would encourage individuals and small businesses to install solar panels or small wind systems. Rip understands the value of preserving our parks and open space resources and would work with the regional authorities to ensure these places remain open, accessible and undeveloped.

On human services, Rip supports raising the minimum wage and tipped wages, opposes efforts to reduce the social safety net, and is an advocate for expanding workforce training programs that will promote economic opportunity across the income spectrum. He is a strong supporter of Medicaid expansion and the benefits it would bring to the Commonwealth, including providing medical coverage to more than 400,000 uninsured Virginians.

Throughout this campaign, Rip has been open and accessible to the residents he hopes to represent, even giving out his cell phone number in his campaign literature. For more information on Rip and his experience working on important issues, you can visit his campaign website at www.RipSullivanForDelegate.com.

With vigorous debate in Richmond on Medicaid expansion, gun control, women’s reproductive health, and the environment, it is important voters know where Rip and his Republican opponent stand. The Sullivan campaign has already called for a candidate debate, and I look forward to hearing more about the differences between Rip and his Republican opponent.

Rip will be a champion for our Arlington values in Richmond, and if you live in the 48th District, I hope you’ll join me and cast your vote for Rip Sullivan for Delegate in the August 19th special election.

Paul Holland is a lifelong Arlington resident, former Chair of the Park and Recreation Commission, and former candidate for the 48th House of Delegates District.