2023 Candidate Profile: James DeVita For State Senate District 40

ARLINGTON, VA — James DeVita, who has been a trial lawyer for 40 years, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the new 40th District seat in the June 20 Democratic primary election.

DeVita is currently representing seven Black Lives Matter protesters in a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, according to his campaign website. Along with working in private practice, DeVita has worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and the D.C. Attorney General’s Office.

DeVita is running against Sen. Barbara Favola in the Democratic primary for the Senate seat.

Because of mandated redistricting that happened after the 2020 Census, Virginia's legislative district maps have been redrawn. The redistricting placed Favola in the new 40th District, which represents about 85 percent of Arlington and no other jurisdictions.

Early voting in Arlington County in the Democratic primary began Friday, May 5. Voting on primary election day will happen from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20.

Patch asked the two candidates for Senate District 40 for their answers to the same questions. Here are DeVita's responses:

Name

James A. DeVita

Campaign website

https://devitaforstatesenate.com

Age (as of Election Day)

64

Family

I have been happily married for 30 years. My wife and I have two daughters who graduated from Wakefield High School.

Education

I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and Georgetown Law School in 1982.

Occupation

I have been a trial lawyer for forty years. I have worked for the D.C. Attorney General, the U.S. Department of Justice, private law firms and for myself. I represent people in immigration, bankruptcy, employment, personal injury, divorce, criminal, and traffic cases in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

My top priority in the next session of the General Assembly is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I would like to expand programs for people who are hungry and people who are homeless by seeking to pass legislation which would provide the funds necessary to build shelters for the homeless and add to existing programs providing free lunches and breakfasts for school children. I also want to pass legislation to set up drug courts in every county in Virginia so that people will receive treatment rather than incarceration for drug possession.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidate?

Ms. Favola and I want to do different things. I want to: 1) provide free daycare to low income families; 2) create tax credits so that people can buy electric cars and install solar power in their homes; 3) expand programs for people who are hungry and homeless; 4) create drug courts; 5) seek passage of the Equality Act to give equal rights to LGBTQ people; 6) increase the minimum wage; 7) create more opportunities for legal immigration; and 8) end extremism. I don't see these things in Ms. Favola's platform.

What makes representing Arlington in the State Senate unique compared to senators who represent other parts of Virginia?

Arlington is more liberal and progressive than the rest of the state.

What are some of the concerns and requests that you've heard from Arlingtonians that have resonated with you as you have campaigned in 2023?

Abortion and gun control seem to be the top two issues. I am pro-choice and for gun control. I want to protect a woman's right to choose and introduce legislation to ban assault weapons.

Describe other issues that define your campaign platform for Senate.

I'd like to introduce legislation to get fathers more involved in child custody. Women have borne the burden of child care for too long, and men haven't been as involved as they should be. Kids need both of their parents.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

"All politics is local." -Tip O'Neil

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm always open to your concerns. I want to hear from voters about what is important to them.

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