Thomas Davis Rust* (R)

Office Sought: Va. House of Delegates District 86
Age: 68
Residence: Herndon.
Education: BS, civil engineering, Va. Tech; MS, public works engineering, GWU.; MA, urban/environmental planning, U-Va.
Occupation: Chairman of the board, Patton Harris Rust & Associates, a civil engineering firm.
Web site:http://www.tomrust.org
E-mail address: trust@tomrust.org
Offices and positions held: Member, House of Delegates, 2002-present; mayor, Herndon, 1976-84, 1990-2002; member, Herndon Town Council, 1971-76; member, N.Va. Transportation Commission, Va. Joint Commission on Technology and Science, Va. Bioinformatics Institute Advisory Board, Fairfax Committee of 100, Sister Cities of Herndon and Sterling Foundation; past rector, Longwood University Board of Visitors; past member, Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

Why should voters elect you?

"My door is open to all constituents. I am open-minded, results oriented and pragmatic. I have the experience to continue making a difference."

What do you think is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?

"Continuing to provide state services through the budget process. We already have a deficit of $600 million in the budget projections. We must find a way to continue funding our core priorities such as transportation, public safety, education and basic social services, while at the same time finding ways to trim unnecessary expenditures."

What is your plan to address the traffic problems in Virginia?

I was a patron of the transportation funding package. The bill we passed provides the largest infusion of statewide funding since 1986 and the largest infusion of cash to Northern Virginia in state history - $400 million each year. Included in the legislation are creation of the Transportation Accountability Commission, which reviews and studies transportation agencies to ensure transportation funds are being spent wisely and efficiently. Public-private partnerships such as Route 28 will continue to be an important part of our overall transportation policy. I will continue to push for changes to the transportation funding formula to benefit congested areas of the state. We also need to make sure that projects funded by the new transportation funding will moderate congestion while preventing unnecessary environmental harm. Improving and extending Metrorail and making our bus systems more efficient are as important as road projects.

Do you think current policies governing growth & development in your area are too restrictive, not restrictive enough or just right?

not restrictive enough

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