In Virginia Two Latinos Announce Candidacies for State House and State Senate

By Marcos Vilar, Latino VA

May 5, 2011

Last night, Jaime Areizaga and Alfonso Lopez were among half a dozen Arlington County Democrats that announced their candidacies for various legislative races being decided this year. The announcements, made at last night´s Arlington County Democratic Committee monthly meeting, provoked excitement by those attending the gathering.

Jaime Areizaga is running to fill the seat of the 31st Senatorial District of Virginia vacated by the retirement of Mary Margaret Whipple. Alfonso Lopez will run in the 49th House of Delegates District. That seat opened up when current Delegate, Adam Ebbin, decided to run for Virginia´s 30th Senate District.

Nearly three hundred Arlington County Democratic loyalists made their excitement felt for the two Latinos running by interrupting frequently with cheers and loud applause.

The following video includes highlights from Areizaga´s and Lopez´s speeches as well as comments offered by some of the attendees.

There is no question that both Areizaga and Lopez are highly qualified candidates. While we celebrate their Latino roots, their experience in public service and their track record of strong and active support for their community, will be hard to match by any other candidates wishing to challenge them.

Walter Tejada, current Member of the Arlington County Board and former Chair, was among several Democratic officials at the meeting. Also present was Andrew A. Rivera, Chairman of the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia (DLOV).

LatinoVA will keep you updated with the latest news about both campaigns.