Matthew Lang Running For Virginia Senate In 38th District: Profile

HERNDON, VA — Republican Matthew Lang is a 48-year-old, married father of three, who is running to represent the 38th District in the Virginia Senate.

Lang's opponent is Democratic Sen. Jennifer Boysko, who represented the 33 District in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly session. With redistricting, the two candidates are running in the 38th District, which includes Herndon, Reston, Great Falls, and McLean. The

Election Day is Nov. 7 in Fairfax County, where registered voters will be casting ballots for candidates running for open seats on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and School Board races. In Fairfax County, candidates are running to be chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, sheriff, commonwealth's attorney, and clerk of the court, as well directors for the Soil and Water Conversation District. Voters will also be choosing who will represent them in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.

Related: Jennifer Boysko Running For Virginia Senate In 38th District: Profile

The first absentee ballots for the General Election were mailed on Friday, Sept. 22, which is also when early voting began. Early voting will continue through Nov. 4, which is three days before Election Day. More information about about how to register to vote, vote early, request an absentee ballot and find your polling place in Fairfax County is available online.

Patch invited each of the candidates running in the 38th District race to fill out a questionnaire about their campaigns. Patch does not edit the responses of candidates to its election questionnaire. The following are Bulova's responses.

Name

Matthew "Matt" Lang

Position sought

VA Senate, District 38

Age (at the time of election)

48

Campaign Website

www.langforva.com

Family: Names, ages and any pertinent detail you wish to share.

I am married to my wife, Patty. I have three children, two daughters, and a son.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, other than military service, as government involvement, I am the first in my family to seek elected office.

Education

I have a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from American Military University, a Master's in Security Management from Denver University, and will soon resume my PhD studies at Liberty University in Government, concentrating on National Security.

Occupation - Please include years of experience

I am currently an International Security Consultant. I primarily focus on security issues in Latin America and developing countries in Africa. I have worked in this role for eight years. Previously, I worked in International Security/Travel Risk Management for a multi-national financial firm. Going back further, I was Deputy Sheriff in Loudoun & Fairfax Counties.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

In 2021, I ran as the Republican candidate in HD-36.

Why are you seeking elective office?

Historically, I've had confidence in Virginia government's checks and balances, but over the past few years, there has been none of it. We have a Senate, with a Democrat majority, that refuses to budge on any issue that the General Assembly, or Governor initiate. Rather than compromise, there is a refusal to even work together on issues.

As these issues often hurt Virginians, and impede progress, they see it as an honor and claim to be "The Blue Wall". This is no way to operate, whether in office, or life. Compromise and debate, whether it's something you agree on or not, must occur, or people suffer. Rather than representing everyone, we find incumbents that only champion their own causes, neglecting and unanswering those who don't share their point of view.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As I'm out knocking doors, I hear time and time again, that we need to shift the priorities of the schools back onto education. We need to prepare our children for the future, in science, math, and technology. All over the world, students are challenged, yet here, in Fairfax, there are several schools where students are testing below 20% in reading and math. This is shame, and disservice to those students.

I support the funding of the student, not the schools. A child should not be constrained to a failing school, due to the zip code that they live in. If failing schools want to be more competitive with other public schools, or private schools, then the numbers need to change.

The world is a big place, and we owe it to our kids to make sure that they are as well prepared as possible to compete and succeed on the world stage

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

Experience. The years that I have spent traveling internationally, sitting at negotiations with government ministers and high ranking officers, searching for solutions to move work forward, will benefit me in the Virginia Senate. Volunteering for advocacy groups is fantastic, but seeing how policy affects people is often a different thing. Many of our current representatives work on behalf of an organization, but don't think far enough ahead to see how this policies will affect people, until it's too late.

For example, when it comes to issues such as public safety, I have done the work, and seen how things are from the eyes of the street officer. Too often pelicans pontificate on what they see as a problem, having never experienced it, other than a briefer given to them by an advocacy group.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

Sen Boysko often speaks of the work that she has done for the community, whether in her short time in the General Assembly or as a staff member for Dranesville Supervisor John Foust. This service should not be diminished, but is it enough?

Sen Boysko talks about the work that she has done in education, yet some of the worst performing schools in Fairfax are in her district. Speaking along the lines of Mental Health, we have a mental health crisis in this country, and she will advocate for a school to keep secrets from parents, citing the privacy of the child.

Her previous legislative history, is well known nationally, not for her, but for the results. In the 2020 session, Sen. Boysko introduced SB 161Public elementary and secondary schools; treatment of transgender students, policies, allowing Transgender students to use restrooms of their choice. Furthermore, she supported SB 729, an amendment to § 22.1-279.3:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to school principals; incident reports. This created the conditions for what we saw in Loudoun County where a Transgender student sexually assaulted two female students, at two different high schools, while the information was kept from the public, by Loudoun Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler. Loudoun Schools failed to report these incidents, among others, resulting in two student sexual assault victims, and as of September 29, a former School Superintendent who was found guilty in court of retaliation on a teacher, who herself was victim of sexual harassment and assault.

These bill did not protect the Transgender student community, but put them at further risk. Our representatives need to think through and look at possible outcomes before introducing legislation, and not be beholden to special interest groups.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a person who loves the outdoors and open spaces, Northern Virginia poses challenges. However, living in suburban Fairfax County, I will advocate to preserve our green spaces and protect woodlands, golf courses, and other areas of environmental concern. Growth and development are important, but we need to protect and preserve our open spaces for future generations, and be smart about development.

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

My entire professional career, since I was 17 year old Marine, to now as a Security Consultant as been about protecting and serving others, especially those who aren't able to protect themselves. I've spent a great deal of my career traveling overseas, on a variety of projects. I have learned multiple cultures and languages and continue to learn every day.

I'm as comfortable in a room full of ambassadors and ministers as I am at a Gendarme outpost in the desert. I've been fortunate to see and do many things and working in the General Assembly will be another new experience, though one that I am prepared for.

I have carried the sword and shield as a protector, now I will use my voice to speak for those who are not heard

The best advice ever shared with me was:

When I began campaigning in 2021 for Delagate, I met a current Virginia Senator at an event. I asked "What advice would you give a new candidate?" The answer was simple. "Keep it simple, don't complicate yourself. Every representatives job should focus on three things for their constituents. You must work to make their lives; Easier, Better and Safer. If you aren't doing that, or your challenger fails to that, that's where you focus"

It was definitely wisdom that was gained not only from politics, but in past experience, and has served me well on this campaign

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

I've often been told that my honesty and directness is my greatest strength as well as weakness. I speak and work with everyone I meet, and though we may not agree on some positions or policies, I assure you, when you need me, I'll be there. My integrity is without question, and I will work, day in and day out, to improve the lives of others here in Virginia.