Mary Barthelson Running In June 20 Democratic Party Primary: Profile

RESTON, VA — When long-time Del. Ken Plum announced that he would not seek re-election to the Virginia House of Delegates in November, four Democrats put their names forward as candidates to represent the Reston area in Richmond.

Mary Barthelson, a systems engineer with over a decade of experience in the national security and space industry, is running against Paul Berry, Shyamali Hauth, and Karen Keys-Gammara in the June 20 primary. This will determine who will be the Democratic Party candidate on the ballot in November.

Early voting for the primary got underway on May 3 and runs through June 17, which is the Saturday before the primary. More information about voting in Fairfax County is available online.

Patch invited each of the candidates in the 7th District House of Delegates race to fill out a questionnaire about their campaign. The following are Barthelson's responses.

Name

Mary Barthelson

Position Sought

Delegate, HD-7

Age (As of Election Day)

30

Campaign Website

www.marybarthelson.com

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

My father is an engineer who graduated from UVA and established his own business. My mom works at an animal sanctuary and plays 5 instruments. I have three siblings, one who is a middle schooler at FCPS and two who are also engineers.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

My uncle founded the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Delaware.

Education

Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Systems Engineering from George Mason University

Occupation - Please include years of experience

I am a Systems Engineer with over a decade of experience in the National Security and Space Industry

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

I’m seeking elected office because Reston and the surrounding area needs a Delegate that can usher in a new, promising future for the district while staying true to what the community values. This district needs a champion in office that will advocate for them.

The single most pressing issue facing District 7 is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

One of the most critical issues that our community is facing is housing insecurity. Reston has four tent communities with a growing number of residents who have been unable to attain housing due to rising costs, including elderly who have lost their homes. I have been advocating for solutions at the local level for a few years now that would help reduce housing costs and create transitional housing options for people who are unsheltered by utilizing empty commercial buildings. In Richmond, I plan to continue championing legislation that will reduce housing insecurity while protecting our green open spaces.

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

There are two things that separate me from the other candidates.

First, I am the only grassroots advocate in the race coming into politics from the non-profit and charity realm. I founded a new STEM club at Forest Edge Elementary to create more educational opportunities for more students. I’ve also volunteered for groups like Reston Strong and Cornerstones working hands-on with those who are most in need in our community - from our unhoused residents living in tents to refugees arriving from Afghanistan. My hands-on community work put me in a position to see where our government services are falling short and inform me about what can be done to fix them.

Secondly, I am the only candidate in the race with an engineering background. As a systems engineer with a bachelors and masters degree from George Mason University, I am trained to work with people of different backgrounds and skill sets to devise solutions to problems and communicate them to people who are not technical. This is an expertise which is missing from the General Assembly as a whole, which is desperately needed as we work to transition to sustainable energy and technology increasingly becomes a part of our everyday life.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will improve the response time of emergency mental health services by bringing a mobile mental health crisis unit to Reston. This unit was recommended by the commission to review policing reforms.

I will also support victims of domestic violence by strengthening measures that prevent abusers from obtaining guns, champion reproductive freedoms, and reduce barriers to entry into the workforce for essential skill sets to create more jobs and facilitate upwards mobility.

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

Many of the issues that I am running on — reducing housing insecurity, improving access to mental health services, and creating more STEAM education opportunities — are areas that I have been personally working on the last several years. When I speak about the challenges they are facing I am not talking about statistics I read in reports or the news. I am speaking about people whose names I know and who have my phone number. Some of my initiatives even made the news, which are linked on my website. It's easy to support an issue once it becomes mainstream and popular, but it's harder to be the one who starts talking about a problem before it's accepted. I've done that hard work and am ready to continue doing my advocacy for our community at the state level.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice I ever received was to not be scared of any problem. A problem may be very big and hard to solve, but that does not mean that it cannot be solved with a bit of tenacity and critical thinking.

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

I plan to be an accessible delegate and am open to having conversations about how best to serve our community in Richmond. I am very receptive to feedback. It's exciting to have an opportunity to be a part of the future for our corner of Fairfax County.

Related:

• Karen Keys-Gamarra Runs In June 20 Democratic Party Primary: Profile
• Shyamali Hauth Running In June 20 Democratic Party Primary: Profile
• Paul Berry Running In June 20 Democratic Party Primary: Profile
• House Of Delegates Candidates In District 7 Square Off At Reston Forum
• 2023 Democratic Primary: In-Person Voting Starts Friday In Fairfax
• Meet 4 Democrats Running To Represent Reston In VA House Of Delegates