Former aide to Gov. Tim Kaine and current U.S. Small Business Administration assistant administrator Alfonso Lopez announced his candidacy for the Virginia House of Delegates at last night’s Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting.

Lopez is running for delegate in the 49th District — a seat currently held by Del. Adam Ebbin, who’s running for state Senate.

“I’m running for delegate today because the social safety net that my parents and so many others relied on is being destroyed by Republicans in Richmond,” Lopez said.

Lopez added that Virginia Republicans are “demonizing new immigrants and gays and lesbians.” He said he would bring “passion and practical experience” to the fight for a cleaner environment, better education and civil rights.

Also announcing last night was Obama administration appointee and former Army National Guard JAG Lt. Col. Jaime Areizaga-Soto, who’s running for state Senate in the 31st District.

“I’m running… to be a strong voice in the fight for progressive priorities against the backwards agenda of Gov. McDonnell and the Republicans in Richmond,” Areizaga-Soto said. He said that the Democrats who control the state Senate have not done enough to fight for their priorities, like protecting a woman’s right to choose.

“The voters of the 31st District will now decide who will be their Senator, instead of the other way around,” Areizaga-Soto said, a dig at the Democratic establishment’s support of his opponent, County Board member Barbara Favola.

See more about Areizaga-Soto’s announcement from the Blue Virginia blog and the Sun Gazette.

Video courtesy Blue Virginia