Petersen Touts Record, Looks To Step Into Leadership Role In VA Senate

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — State Sen. Chap Petersen officially kicked off his re-election campaign Friday night, during a dance party at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department to celebrate his 55th birthday.

When asked what issues he would be stressing during his campaign, Petersen told Patch on Tuesday that he would be focusing on bringing common sense principles back to Fairfax County.

"Focus on bringing the kids back, public education, restoring all learning loss issues we've had over the past couple of years," he said. "Protecting small business, that's always been one of my biggest issues, particularly if we're facing an economic downturn."

On hand to help celebrate Petersen's campaign launch were retiring State Sens. Dick Saslaw, Janet Howell, Jennifer Boysko and Scott Surovell; Del. Dave Bulova; and Fairfax County Sheriff Stacy Kincaid.

With both Saslaw and Howell retiring, Petersen said he was looking to take on a leadership role in the Senate.

"Both the Democratic Party and the state of Virginia's are looking for people to step up and lead the State Senate and be the voice of the Democratic Party," he said. "I'm going to be stepping forward into that role."

Saslaw, who is the Senate Majority Leader, and caucus chair Mamie Locke introduced Petersen at Friday's kickoff event.

The Nov. 7 general election will be the first one that Virginia voters will be casting ballots in the redrawn House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate districts. For this reason, some incumbent candidates are running in differently numbered districts this year.

Petersen represented the 34th District in the 2023 General Assembly but is running in the new 37th District against fellow Democrats Saddam Azlan Salim and Erika Yalowitz. The new district now includes Fairfax City, Oakton, Vienna, Merrifield, Dunn Loring, Idylwood, Tysons and Falls Church.

Although Petersen was a candidate in the 2005 Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, this will be the first time he has faced primary opponents in a General Assembly race. He has not had a Republican opponent in the general election since he defeated Gerarda Culipher in 2011.

Even though he is in a primary race, Petersen said that he has not altered his approach to campaigning or changed his message. Since the beginning of February, he has been knocking on doors and raising money at events at nights and on the weekends.

"We're going to run a positive race," Petersen said. "I'm proud of my record, proud of the role I played in reopening schools and bringing the kids back to normal. Proud of the part I played in preserving business by reopening DMV, getting small business back on track, tax relief for small business. These are all parts of the puzzle."

Petersen also mentioned the prescription reform bill he introduced during the 2023 session as a priority.

"I'm going to be bringing that again next year," he said. "I think that's an issue where, really to protect our seniors, trying to get a get a hold on prescription drug costs in Virginia."

Early voting for the June 20 Democratic Party primary begins May 6. Voters must register by May 29 to be eligible to vote in the June 20 primary. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot for the Democratic primary is June 9.

No Republican candidate has officially filed to enter the 37th District race. The filing deadline for candidates in the Nov. 7 election is 7 p.m. on June 20.

Related:

• Salim Defeats Petersen In Fairfax Democratic Committee Straw Poll Vote
• Petersen Touts Advocacy For Children, Elderly, Small Business
• Erika Yalowitz Third Democrat Running For VA Senate In 37th District
• Saddam Azlan Salim To Challenge Chap Petersen In June 20 Primary
• Gun Control, Reproductive Rights Top Priorities For Senate Candidate