Congressional Candidates' Forum

The first opportunity for voters to
question the 10 candidates on the ballot in the 8th Congressional District
Democratic primary will be at a forum 4-6 pm, Saturday, April 12 at Mount
Vernon High School. All 10 candidates have confirmed their participation. They
are vying to replace retiring long-time Rep. Jim Moran in the June 10 primary.

George Burke, the Virginia Democratic
Party's 11th Congressional District chair, will moderate the forum.  Burke
has a long career as a spokesman and journalist, with extensive experience on
Capitol Hill. He currently works in the U.S. House of Representatives as
Communications Director for Congressman Gerry Connolly. The forum is sponsored
by the Mt. Vernon District Democratic Committee, part of the Fairfax County
Democratic Party.

The event is free and open to the public.
It is in the Mount Vernon High School Little Theater, 8515 Old Mount Vernon
Rd., in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. Candidates have made numerous
appearances at Democratic Party events to give two-minute pitches, but this is
the first forum to include questions. The format, determined by an MVDDC
committee, will include questions concerning 8th District, national, and
international issues, as well as on candidate interests and effectiveness. Some
questions will be in a “rapid-fire” format while others will allow up to
one-minute answers. Questions will also be taken from the audience.

Thirteen candidates announced their
intention to run, but three dropped out.

Candidates now include former Virginia
lieutenant governor Don Beyer; former Northern Virginia Urban League president
Lavern Chatman; state Sen. Adam Ebbin; Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille; state Del.
Charniele Herring; state Del. Patrick Hope; Satish Korpe, director of the
Democratic Business Council of Northern Virginia; radio talk-show host Mark
Levine; Virginia Tech professor Derek Hyra; and former Navy pilot Bruce
Shuttleworth.

A reception where voters can meet the
candidates will follow the forum.