Brian Moran - VA’s Next Governor?
Karen Bune
Victimology Contributor
Officer.com
The state of Virginia has put its marker on the map as being a political hotbed for politics these days. President Barack Obama was the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the race since 1964, and a great deal of attention has been focused on Virginia. Now, more than ever, Virginia is in the spotlight for the governor’s race. The Democratic candidates vying for victory in the state’s primary are being closely observed. The primary is expected to be intense. The three Democratic candidates—Brian Moran, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, State Senator Terry McAuliffe, the former National Democratic Chairman, and State Senator Creigh Deeds, are vying for a final place on the Democratic ticket and hoping to be Obama-like change agents for the outcome of the state’s gubernatorial race.
It is a known fact that McAuliffe is a well-oiled money machine that will enable him to invest in great amounts of advertising and promotion of himself as the man who should have the sought after position. However, my vote for the primary spot is for Brian Moran. I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Brian for seven years when he served as a prosecutor and, ultimately, a senior prosecutor in the Arlington Virginia Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. Brian was then– and is now—a tremendous public servant. As a fellow colleague, he demonstrated to me that he is ambitious, conscientious, responsible, and genuinely cares about the community he served and the crime victims he fought for in prosecuting crimes. He was sincere in pursuing his goals and tenacious in his crime fighting pursuits.
One thing I greatly admire about Brian is that he has always been forthright and, most importantly, sincere. He doesn’t pay lip service and simply give a quick handshake and a diplomatic smile to whomever he encounters and then quickly disappears to work a room like most politicians. To the contrary, Brian takes the time to stop and truly listen to what people have to say, maintains eye contact with the individual to whom he is speaking, and treats everyone he meets with respect. In Brian’s world, everyone counts, and he is not a political or a social snob.
The progression of his career and his advancement to higher level positions in the public service sector have never distracted him from remaining the genuine person and public servant that he was then and is now. He has never forgotten where he came from or the paths he travelled towards his achievements. He understands the problems of ordinary people because he has experienced them himself. Mr. Moran began working at the age of 14 and, in the past, he worked construction, served as a bartender, and was employed at a gas station. He understands the needs of individuals and the larger community, and he has the intelligence, street savvy, formal education, and practical experience in the public sector to know what is needed and how to go about meeting the demands of the state of Virginia.
Highly cognizant of the pressing issues that face Virginia and the problems that he would confront as the next governor, Brian is neither inhibited by the challenge nor fearful of the competition. He has always been an ardent supporter of law enforcement officers throughout the state, and his concern for crime victims is unrelenting. Brian made huge inroads in tightening the drunken driving laws as well as the growing problem of child exploitation and internet crimes against children. He was responsible for the initiation and institution of “Alicia’s Law”—named after a 13-year-old girl who was abducted, held hostage, and tortured in her Virginia basement.
Brian Moran is well rounded and has a good grasp of the wide ranging issues that face Virginia. He doesn’t merely talk the talk but he has walked the walk, and he is highly qualified to lead the state of Virginia. In the early stages of what is anticipated to be a very competitive race, Brian Moran is ready for the marathon run. Highly qualified, he is the man who needs to win the primary and then get to the finish line to serve as Governor of Virginia.
Excellent article. Very thought provoking.
Yes Karen, Virginia is rapidly becoming an all socialist state, just like the People’s Republic of Arlington. In Arlington, and no doubt in the remainder of the late great state of Virginia we now welcome mega hordes of homeless, and with open arms do welcome each and every alien, illegal or not. Next the entire state of Virginia will be like that. Thankfully, Governor Kaine is on the way outta here with his appointment to the DNC.
Unlike you Karen, I know Brian Moran to be a consumate politician. He is smooth where his brother James is rough. The difference between the two of them is nothing. Both are absolutely dedicated to the idea that big government is best government.
Brian Moran was a nice guy when he was one of Arlington County’s prosecuting attorneys, but that does not make him a good candidate to run the state of Virginia as Governor? Of course, the experience of Barack Obama as President of the United States says that absolutely no one, least of all Brian Moran, needs ANY experience to run a state.
If Virginia gets Moran, or any other Democrat as Governor, we will continue down the slope to socialism. No current Democrat can make the grade as an electable person unless they appease the ultra left. To do that they must be an abject socialist.
Count Brian Moran in on that. He is a socialist just like the rest of electable Democrats. It is my wish that no Democrat wins in Virginia as Governor. We must turn the state around from gimmee, gimmee to every illegal alien, every person that doesn’t work, or every leftist, socialist, or special interest socialist group that wants to do bad things to Virginia, or Virginia’s residents. All these things cost Virginia’s REAL people, the taxpayers, waaaaaaaaay too much money. If we elect Brian Moran, or any other Democrat, the taxpayers can count on many, many more dollars leaving them.
Roger, I agree with you 100%. NOVA has turned bluer that blue. Enough is enough with the government give-aways and the feel good spending. I know Brian, but I won’t vote for him unless he abdicates the Democratic Party.
Terry and Roger I agree 100% with you both. Arlington County has become a 3rd word barrio. I am sure Ms Bune thinks he has done a great job and no disrespect to her, but from her email address I see she apparently works at a local college.
As a 23 year police officer in Northern Va. I suggest if she wants to see an effective prosecutor she needs to visit Prince William County. Mr. Ebert has successfully prosecuted a number of capital murder cases resulting in the death penalty. Some have been executed and some are waiting their turn.
Unlike most democrats that view the death penalty as a non effective deterrent I strongly disagree.
As the quality of life degrades in Arlington with their open arms to socialism I would hate to see persons who participated in allowing this to ruin all of Virginia.
Also to the staff of Officer.com I visit this web site for police news not political endorsements.
I am wondering why she failed to mention Creighton Deeds other than once by his name.
He has an A rating from the NRA and even though he is a democrat he seem not to be the far left socialist most are.
Bob McDonnell who was Virginias Attorney General recently resigned his position while he runs as the Republican for Governor. Now I believe that is honesty and integrity to avoid a conflict of interest and not doing a part time job. On the other hand we have a democratic Governor Kaine who is now the DNC head. When Virginia needs a full Governor we do not have one.
Tom:
re: your comment regarding Officer.com being for police news vice political endorsements. Please note that our blog is dedicated to serving the law enforcement community and - at least in my view as the Editor for the site - that includes opinions shared by our contributors from the law enforcement community here in our blog section. Ms. Bune is a college professor yes, but she is a full time employee of a state’s attorney’s office in Maryland. Her statement of opinion in her blog is in no way any type of endorsement from Officer.com, our ownership, our affiliates, etc for any political candidate (most of the time I disagree with Ms. Bune’s political blogs but it would be unfair of me to not post them simply because of my own political outlooks).
Your comments are appreciated as is your readership. Stay safe!
Frank
Thanks for the response. Coming from the Maryland States Attorneys office I now understand her support for Moran.
Tom,
I am very familiar with Paul Ebert, and we have met. I have the utmost respect for him as a prosecutor, and he has done outstanding work in many cases. He is tenacious, fair, and fights for justice. He genuinely cares about the victims of crime. I agree with you regarding Northern Virginia to a large extent. It is certainly not like it used to be and too much of a welcoming freebie dole out has been handed to illegals. I have worked in the law enforcement arena a long time–just marked my 30th year! And, yes, I started young…
A very enjoyable article, Karen, as I expected. As a criminal defense attorney I had the opportunity to know Brian as a competent and honorable opponent in court. Any defense attorney will tell you that there are prosecutors who cannot be trusted unless their promises or representations are in writing, and others with whom you can conduct business on a handshake. Brian was in this latter category. He loves to win, but winning never came at the cost of his reputation for integrity and honesty among the defense bar. I support Brian because I know I can trust him. Simple as that.
Well the primary results are in from yesterday’s election. It appears the voters saw Moran for who he is. He even failed to carry his own district.
Deeds beat Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe in every region of the state, including vote-rich Northern Virginia, despite a pro-gun stance and relatively conservative positions that are out of line with many of the area’s voters. His victory was so dominant that he captured 10 of the state’s 11 congressional districts, including the one held by Moran’s brother, U.S. Rep. James P. Moran Jr.