SALT Candidate Survey Responses - 2013

Candidate: Delegate David Albo

District: 42nd  Springfield

Mr... Horejsi,

Thanks for your survey.  This year my duties as a delegate, attorney, campaigner, and father have left me with very little time to spare.  I receive between 50-80 surveys every election cycle, and doing each one properly would consume almost two solid weeks of work.  Consequently, I have decided not to do any surveys this year so I can concentrate my free time on serving my constituents, working, and being a good dad.

Fortunately, I have been in office for 20 years and have over 50,000 recorded votes.  Please take a look at my record to determine how I will vote on your issues.  As always, my door is open should you want to discuss a vote when the time comes in Richmond.

Best Regards, Dave Albo,  Virginia House of Delegates

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SALT Response:

Dear Delegate Albo:

Thank you for acknowledging SALT’s request to participate in the "Candidate Survey." To date, you are one of two candidates declining to participate in the survey.

You note in your response: "This year my duties as a delegate, attorney, campaigner, and father have left me with very little time to spare…  Consequently, I have decided not to do any surveys this year so I can concentrate my free time on serving my constituents, working, and being a good dad.” SALT members certainly understand that you are burdened with respect to time available for doing your job as a delegate, an attorney, a campaigner and a parent, and we are not lacking in sympathy regarding the load you are bearing.

However, with respect to your goal of serving “my constituents,” we wish to assure you that our goal is not at odds with your objective of serving constituents. The purpose of our survey, we believe, is supportive in serving the constituents in your district and the other districts of Virginia who have a faith perspective in addressing issues relative to the common good.  The faith perspective of our membership, which includes a number of your constituents and various faith communities in your district, is that of the Hebrew prophets of old, who assured us that the quality of justice in a society could be measured by how the most vulnerable are faring and are treated. This prophetic tradition, which is part of Jewish and Christian history, has formed our position on the various issues.

Our faith-based membership is nonpartisan, and members have no allegiance to any particular party or ideology. Nevertheless, we look for assurance that candidates will work to advance the common good, so that all, not just a few who are well-heeled, may flourish, especially children.

We understand that not all candidates will respond in the same manner. However, we are looking for thoughtful responses, responses that manifest a candidate's ability to discern complexity and provide intelligent, creative and nuanced responses (supported by facts) to many issues that can only be addressed by those who represent the interest of voters and not any particular ideology.

Otherwise, how will voters be able to determine your ability to address the complexity that comes with the territory of being a delegate?

We see this as an opportunity for you to educate our members, which includes constituents in your district and voters in various faith communities in Virginia. Without cooperation from candidates and without their willingness to educate constituents on their positions, how is democracy to function effectively?

If there are no responses to the questions, that is, of course, your choice.  Please be advised that the responses of candidates as well as their unwillingness to inform voters regarding their positions on issues will be made public to our membership and the various faith communities that support the work of SALT.

Sincerely, John Horejsi, SALT Coordinator