Douglas J. Denneny (D)
Office Sought: U.S. House, District 11 (D)
Age: 47
Residence: Mantua.
Education: BS, aerospace engineering, US Naval Academy; MA, national security studies, Georgetown University.
Occupation: Retired U.S. Naval Flight Officer; aircraft sales and marketing manager, The Boeing Company.
Web site:http://www.dougforcongress.com
E-mail address: info@dougforcongress.com
Offices and positions held: President, Mantua Citizens' Association, 2007-present; member, Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council; member, Fairfax County Industrial Development Authority; former member, Fairfax County Tysons Corner Land Use Task Force; founding member, Fairfax League of Conservation Voters; treasurer, Naval Academy Class of 1984 Alumni organization; assistant cubmaster, Boy Scouts of America; umpire, Fairfax Little League.
What is the most urgent problem facing your jurisdiction?
A lack of effective leadership is the most urgent problem facing the 11th Congressional District. We need to elect a member of Congress who wants to serve the people, not themselves, and who will get something done in Washington for our region and our nation. As a decorated Iraq war combat veteran with Capitol Hill experience, I bring a track record of proven leadership, a strong work ethic and relevant experience to help end the war in Iraq, get our economy back on track and fix Northern Virginia's transportation problems.
Why should voters elect you?
I am a lifelong public servant, not a career politician. As a former military officer, combat veteran, and community leader, I will enter Congress without the baggage and entangling alliances of a career politician. If voters are happy with politics as usual, I'm not the candidate for them. If they want to change the way Washington works, then they should vote for me. Together, we can get something done and end the war in Iraq, restore fiscal discipline and promote progressive values in Washington.
By summer 2011, it is predicted, Northern Virginia could be facing blackouts due to its growing demand for energy. Should Congress intervene now to prevent that possibility, and if so, what is the most important single step it could take?
Congress should explore the possibility of replicating California's "variable pricing of electricity" initiative. This new plan uses state-of-the-art meters that give real-time feedback that helps drive down demand for energy during peak times. Also, Congress must ensure that utility companies are investing in more efficient and renewable energy production solutions, not more coal plants that pollute our environment. In the long-term, we need to end the Iraq War to save money and to re-invest in developing renewable energy technologies. Congress should create incentives for energy companies to re-invest their profits into new energy sources.
What impact does immigration have on your district?
The 11th District is diverse and vibrant, in part because new Americans from all over the world live and work here. We must celebrate our diversity and oppose the kind of anti-immigrant sentiment that prompted the Prince William County Board of Supervisors' shameful racial profiling policy. We must strengthen our border, fix our broken legal immigration system and create an eventual path to citizenship for undocumented workers who meet certain criteria and pay a fine. Undocumented workers will have to go to the end of the line behind those who are already on the legal path to citizenship.
What steps, if any, should the federal government take to address funding issues for transportation projects?
I will secure congressional funding to support Northern Virginia transportation projects because state and local governments are unable to fix the transportation nightmare we all live with every day. We must have rail to Dulles, but I want a competitive, transparent bidding process and a tunnel under Tysons Corner. The project needs my leadership and business acumen. Congress must create a permanent funding stream for Metro and support telecommuting, authorize an I-95 bypass of D.C. through the Route 301 corridor and provide for transportation improvements caused by the BRAC move of 19,000 new workers and commuters to Ft. Belvoir.
-- The Washington Post | Submit a correction request.
