Fauquier Times-Democrat
Del Toro offers a positive alternative
05/15/2007
In particular, I appreciated last week's feature on incumbent Delegate Mark Cole (R-88th) and his challenger, Carlos Del Toro.
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Reading these pieces will hopefully provide a jumping-off point for the voters to do their own research into the candidates, remembering that one often has to look beyond the rhetoric to truly grasp a candidate's priorities.
For example, while Cole touts a pro-family platform, his voting record on education (certainly a top priority for our families) has caused Virginia21, a bipartisan advocacy organization for young people, to rank Delegate Cole last in the General Assembly with a "GPA" of .7 based on his votes on key pieces of higher-education legislation.
Del Toro, with three children currently in the public school system, has made education a top priority of his campaign.
Additionally, in 2007 Cole introduced a constitutional amendment to restructure the Virginia legislature into a unicameral body, arguing that adopting this structure would reduce gridlock between the Senate and the House.
Do we truly want to decrease opportunities for debate and compromise and risk eliminating the vital provision for governmental checks and balances afforded by our current bicameral General Assembly?
As citizens of this beautiful commonwealth, it is our responsibility to understand the candidates, their backgrounds, their qualifications, and their abilities to make their priorities a reality.
In Del Toro, we have a passionate candidate with an impressive 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy, great success as a small-business owner, as well as proven commitment to charitable causes demonstrated by the millions of dollars raised under his leadership for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.
By the time of the November elections, I trust the voters will have taken the time to gain a deeper understanding of the candidates than simply their party affiliation and will cast a vote for the individual who most clearly reflects our vision and goals for Virginia.
Andrea Martens
Remington
Veterans for Del Toro is a group of retired servicemembers who are committed to bringing focus, commitment and passion to the Virginia Legislature by helping elect Commander Carlos Del Toro (Ret).