Arlington County Board of Supervisors member and respected community advocate J. Walter Tejada announced his support for Jody Wagner for lieutenant governor. With Tejada’s endorsement, Wagner, the former Treasurer of the Commonwealth and Secretary of Finance under governors Warner and Kaine, now has the support from four of five members of the Arlington County Board.
“Over the past seven years, I’ve seen the integral role Jody has played in the successes of the Warner and Kaine administrations in moving Virginia forward. On the issues that matter for Arlington families, Jody has helped to lead the way. With her help, we’ve expanded pre-K so that our three and four-year-olds can have a solid early education foundation; we’ve grown the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) program which helps Virginia families provide health insurance to their children; and we’ve experienced years of economic growth and job creation. Jody has been key to getting Virginia’s fiscal house in order and keeping the Commonwealth moving forward, and the result has been Virginia being named both the best state for business and the best place to raise a child. As a long-time community advocate and elected official, I know Jody has the right experience to fight for all Virginia families,” said Tejada.
Walter Tejada has been a member of the Arlington County Board for six years, serving as chairman in 2008 and vice chairman in 2007. In addition to elected office, he is a distinguished community activist who has been dedicated to enhancing the diversity of Arlington and the surrounding region. He has been a strong advocate on behalf of children, particularly in regards to access to affordable healthcare and pre-K education, and has been a leader in seeking social and economic justice and increasing civic participation. As recognition for his extensive community work, Tejada was appointed by Gov. Warner as the first chairman of the Virginia Latino Advisory Commission, and by Gov. Kaine to the Governor’s Urban Policy Task Force.
Said Wagner: “I’m truly honored to have Walter’s support. He’s someone who has made a real difference in the lives of Virginia’s children and families, not just in Arlington, but across the Commonwealth. Walter also knows the unique challenges to bringing elected officials, local leaders, and community stakeholders together to address a wide-range of issues, including education, jobs and children’s health care. Such coalition building will be a key focus of mine as lieutenant governor, and I look forward to drawing on Walter’s knowledge and experience as we continue to lead Virginia forward on the important issues.”
Tejada’s support is another sign of Wagner’s growing momentum, who continues to gain support both in Northern Virginia and across the Commonwealth. Last week, Wagner announced the endorsements of a majority of the Arlington and Fairfax Boards, as well as the Alexandria City Council. To date, Wagner has been endorsed by forty of the 66 Democratic legislators, nine Virginia mayors, as well as many local elected officials and hundreds of grassroots activists and volunteers.
– News Release
Share
AFP
