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Feder ready for another crack at Wolf
The 2006 election was a turning point for Republicans. All over the country, Democrats took historically Republican seats and, locally, “Turning Northern Virginia Blue” became a point of pride with local Democrats.
However, in the 10th District,27 year Republican incumbent Frank Wolf, burdened with his support for the Iraq war and controversy over the struggling Dulles rail project, beat Democrat Judy Feder by 16 points.
Nevertheless, she's back for 2008, banking on the continuing Republican backlash and running on the same issues – and maybe with a little more reason to hope.
“I think the people of the 10th like to get to know their candidates,” Feder said. “It makes a real difference to come back a second time.”
Feder, 61, is a McLean resident and dean of Public Policy at Georgetown University with a background in health care policy, one of her pet issues in 2006.
The sense of recognition carried over from that campaign has been a real boost to Feder, who will face a primary challenge from retired Air Force colonel and 2006 Feder campaign volunteer Michael Turner this time around. Feder has raised about $850,000 more than Turner, and it's evident that she's already looking beyond the primary to the rematch with Wolf. With that kind of funding discrepancy, she can afford to be magnanimous.
“We're both running because we think we can make a difference,” she said of Turner. “My contributions represent support from people who believe that I am the woman for this job,” Feder added.
To date, Feder has raised just over $900,000, while Wolf is just over $1 million. As the Wolf campaign is quick to point out, about $500,000 of Feder's money comes from out-of-state donors, like national Democratic political action committees.
This time around, Feder is staying away from the Dulles rail project, which has gone from a weak point to an ace in the hole for Wolf since the Federal Transit Administration recently approved final design for the project. Otherwise, Feder's campaign seems based around the same things it was in 2006.
“People in this district were facing real problems in 2006. ... I'd say their desire for change has grown,” Feder said.
As part of those changes, Feder is playing to her strong point – policy making. Her three main issues are transportation, affordable universal health care and the war in Iraq.
Feder says that she supports Sen. Jim Webb's (D) new GI bill.
For the struggling economy, Feder believes that allowing judges to restructure failed mortgages and extending unemployment benefits would boost the economy through the current crisis.
On transportation, Feder says Wolf hasn't done enough for Northern Virginia.
“He has really failed to make it clear that this area is part of the nation's capital,” Feder said.
Feder is banking that voters hungry for change will count Wolf's extensive experience against him.
“No matter how people feel about Wolf, after 27 years they don't think he's the one to stand up for change,” Feder said.
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