My success was due to good luck, hard work, and support and advice from friends and mentors. But most importantly, it depended on me to keep trying after I had failed.

Virginia is the absolute leader in homeland security and defense and information technology.

Working together during the past three years, we have confounded the skeptics and the cynics. We’ve shown that here in Virginia, Democrats and Republicans can come together, put politics aside, and make tough decisions when times demand it.

My success was due to good luck, hard work, and support and advice from friends and mentors. But most importantly, it depended on me to keep trying after I had failed.

When I finished school, I took my entire life savings – $5,000 – and invested it in a business. I was young. I was inexperienced. But I was an entrepreneur, and I was proud. And in six weeks, I was broke.

Virginia ‘s tax system needs to be fixed. The time to act is now. Do not send me any more studies. Do not send me another piecemeal approach that confuses tinkering with real reform.

It is critical that Democratic candidates, whether they are in New Jersey, or Virginia, or anywhere, emphasize the fact that we can be trusted, and can bring fiscal integrity to our state, local, and national government.

I think people are tired of politicians trying to poke each other in the eye.