Independent Terry W. Modglin Seeks To Remedy Unwise Law Passed By VA General Assembly

ARLINGTON, VA — Falls Church resident Terry W. Modglin has two children and five grandchildren. He's also running as an independent candidate for the 49th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

During the Nov. 2 general election, voters living in the 49th District, which covers parts of Arlington County and Fairfax County, will have a chance to decide whether Modglin, incumbent Democratic Del. Alfonso Lopez or Republican challenger Tim Kilcullen will serve in the next session of the Virginia General Assembly. Early voting is already underway.

Patch asked each of the candidates running in the Nov. 2 general election to fill out the following profile:

Name

Terry W. Modglin

Position sought

Delegate for the 49th District

Party Affiliation

Independent

Family

Two children and five grandchildren.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelors of Foreign Service, Georegetown University School of Foreign Service, 1969; Masters of Public Administration, American University, 1978

Occupation

Semi-Retired now; 4 years as U.S. Army Officer; 8 years as Capitol hill staffer; 25 years as manager and CEO for nationwide youth and municipal crime and drug prevention programs; 10 years in security and custiomer service roles.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None in general government. Served as President of the regional chapter of my military unit's (173d Airborne Brigade) association; long ago elected president of Georgetown;s East Campus Student Council

Why are you seeking elective office?

Virginia has done well as a state because it has had moderate outcomes in governance, but passage of laws by the recent General Assembly - to eliminate important protections for the lives of the unborn, to allow regular votes to be cast without an ID, to mitigate the procedural protections law enforcement officers need to do their jobs, to focus more on money from marijuana than the tragic deaths from opioid abuse — these and other changes have overturned that balance. We need to remedy these unwise decisions.

Public safety is the most pressing issues facing our district and this is what I intend to do about them.

We have been fortunate to have had a good standard of safety but the decisions to try to end qualified immunity for police, to remove School Resource Officers, and to fail to prosecute some quality of life crimes are placing us in a vulnerable position. State government can legislate and incentivize standards for public safety and the integrity of the institutions that provide that safety. I do support the recent common-sense changes changes in laws regarding firearms but emphasize these restrictions must be enforced and that there should be additional penalties for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My economic and social platform will lift all in the 49th District. I have the most wide-ranging experience in living and working with people of all economic and social groups. My platform will put Virginia on the most stable and promising long-term future.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The 49th District is one of the most diverse in the country. The primary orientation of its reperesentative should be legislation that represents everyone's best interests. I differ from the positions that the incumbent had taken on opening schools and the economy, on election law, on public safety, on working with federal immigration authorities, on mandatory collective bargaining, and on the unborn, who are human beings as much as the oldest of us.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

More choices in education (charter schools, advanced schools); minimum wage of $15 in Northern Virginia immediately with a minimum wage determined by regional economy; on reducing food and plastic waste; and maintaining the current level of state taxation.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In the midst of living in public housing without a father in the home and a violent neighborhood environment, I became a financially self-sufficient person in high school and an A student in high school and won a scholarship to Georgetown University. I won a college election that very few thought could be won. I worked my way through college with student loan help as well. I commanded an infantry company in Vietnam. I played an important staff role in the Panama Canal treaty implementing legislation. By my Board leadership I made it possible for a $800,000 memorial to be built for our 173d Airborne Brigade when very few thought it could be done. I led the expansion of the Youth Crime Watch program to as many as 40 states at one point. We did this when the auditors used to tell us we existed on fumes. In all that I have done the pursuit of public service rather than money has been my motivator because I believe I am here to improve the lives of my brothers and sisters. To do this, those who know me will tell you, I am the hardest-workinmg person they know.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"If it is to be, it is up to me."

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

I view public policy through the lens of our young people. What is good for them in twenty years is what we need to pursue now. That means as much about what we do not do as what we do.

Related:

Candidate Profile: Tim Kilcullen For VA House Of Delegates

Candidate Profile: Alfonso Lopez For VA House Of Delegates