McLean Community Leader Runs for House of Delegates

Democrat Pamela Danner, a long-time McLean community leader, announced Monday that she is running  for  the 34th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates against the incumbent Republican.

Danner, an attorney, launched her campaign against incumbent Barbara Comstock to an audience of nearly 100 at a popular downtown McLean restaurant that is located in the 48th House District.

"I am committed to the issues that affect all of us," said Danner. "I will carry the same independent hard-working attributes to serve you in Richmond."

When Virginians go to the polls in November, they will elect their representatives ranging from the Virginia State Senate and  the House of Delegates to Fairfax Supervisors and the school board.

This is the third campaign for Danner a Republican turned Democrat. Asked why she changed parties she said. "The Republican Party  left me and became too far to the right on social issues."

The newly redrawn 34th District sits at something of a dividing line between Democratic Fairfax and Republican Fairfax. Under the just completed redistricting plan the district became slightly more Republican because the House Republican majority redrew the lines to lop off southern Democratic McLean and added seven Republican-leaning precincts in Loudoun County.

"My opponent designed this district to her own advantage," Danner told her supporters.

The crowd that surrounded Danner at Kazan restaurant in the Giant shopping center  included her neighbors from Crest Lane, one of McLean's best addresses, her pastor  from Trinity United Methodist Church,  Glenn Yarborough, president of  McLean Rotary and numerous Rotary members.  She is a long-time member of McLean Rotary.

"Pam is a friend of mine. Pam is a past president of Rotary and she's a great attorney," said Yarborough.

Those in the crowd included politicians who are running for office: State Sen Janet Howell, who now represents only a small part of southern McLean.  House Democratic Caucus Chair Ken Plum.  Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. Dranesville School Board member Jane Strauss. Barbara Favola and Jaime Areizaga-Soto, who are opposing each other for the Democratic nomination in the newly redrawn District which now includes McLean.

Greg Brandon and Ted Velkoff who are running for at large school board seats. McLean Community Center Board member Jay Howell. McLean Community Center Board candidate Chad Quinn.

Well-known McLean community members: Irv Auerbach, president, The Lewinsville Coalition, his wife Jan Auerbach, a Rotary member and former president of the McLean Community Center Board. McLean historian Carole Herrick.

Laurie Kent of Great Falls came because "I think (Danner) would make a good candidate because she's fiscally conservative but socially responsible and feels for people.

Burt Heacock, Vienna: "She's honest and ethical. It's way more work than it's worth but I'm delighted that someone of her worth is willing to do it."

John Foust said of Danner in his introduction: "Since the day I met her I've looked forward to this day. She has made an enormous contribution to this community."

Danner, president of the McLean Community Foundation,  has lived in McLean since 1984. She is the mother of  three daughters the oldest of whom is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy.

Barbara Comstock, who was elected in 2009 when she defeated Democratic incumbent Margi Vanderhye, announced her reelection bid in March. The race for the 34th House District is expected to draw a lot of attention and money from the state political parties. 

"This is a tough district. Not a Republican or Democratic district but a swing district," said Vince Callahan, who held the 34th District seat from 1968 until his retirement in 2007. "You can't take it for granted," he said at Comstock's reelection announcement.