Profile: Patrick Forrest, 32nd District State Senate Candidate

At a Glance

• Born: Baltimore, Md.
• Education: bachelor's degree from Virginia Military Institute; law degree from Syracuse University
• Family: single
• Occupation: lawyer; instructor at George Washington University; Coast Guard officer; former senior official at U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• Public office: None

Patrick Forrest may be running as a Republican in his campaign to unseat state Sen. Janet Howell (D-32nd District), but he wants to make clear he will represent Northern Virginians if he is elected. Not party leadership.

"I consider myself someone who is fiscally conservative, but socially compassionate," the 34-year-old said. "Am I going to break from the party on certain positions? I imagine so if it's not a pro-Northern Virginia position they're taking. And that's kind of my big beef right now. It's become so hyper partisan, and my opponent is a leader in that hyper partisan environment. I want people in the General Assembly who are willing to break party lines and are willing to stand up for things even if their leadership in Richmond doesn't agree with it."

He calls himself a "good government junkie," and finds himself interested in the minute details of public policy, which he said helps him stay objective when making a decision on an issue.

For him, objectivity is of utmost importance for whomever takes the 32nd District seat because he wants Northern Virginians to have a voice in Richmond.

"I really feel that we've been Richmond's cash cow for too long, and I've seen our elected officials just vote right down party line," Forrest said. "I want people in office who will coalition for Northern Virginians and stand up for Northern Virginians."

Forrest emphasized job creation and transportation needs as two of his priorities. He laments that while he's door-knocking he finds moms who are concerned that their college graduate sons or daughters cannot find jobs, and that when people do find jobs, transportation is a nightmare.

He pointed to the Dulles Rail project as particular area of concern.

"The only way they can pay for this stupid thing is to eventually raise the tolls to $17 each way [on the Dulles Toll Road]," Forrest said. "Who in their right mind, even the wealthier families in this area, will pay that? They're all going to use the side streets, which will congest the side streets, and they won't have the money to pay for Dulles Rail. ... And businesses won't want to be there because the workers won't want to pay $17 to get to work."

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority predicted tolls could reach $17 in about 30 years.

Forrest touts his status as a newcomer to public office, saying much of the problem with the way the 32nd District is being represented stems from the fact that Howell has adopted the mindset of a career politician after holding the seat for 20 years.

"You have to be more concerned about the issues than you do about your career," said Forrest, who added he believed that principle extends to which donations candidates should accept. "Look at where some of these candidates are getting money from, outside their district or state. Do you think that's without consequence?"

Forrest felt so compelled to run for state Senate, he quit his job as a senior official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in March to dedicate as much time as he possibly can to running his campaign.

He knocks on voters' doors almost every day, and plans to keep going until Election Day on Nov. 8.

"Anyone who thinks they've cornered the market on ideology and has all the answers, I would say probably isn't a leader," he said. "I will be collaborative. I will always listen. I will always hear people's input. And I will always be a voice for Northern Virginia."