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Houck is going after sixth term in Senate

Sen. Edd Houck to seek re-election to Senate

By CHELYEN DAVIS

Date published: 4/22/2003

RICHMOND--Calling on 17th District voters to choose a moderate they know over an ideologue they don't, Sen. Edd Houck yesterday made it official that he's running for an sixth term in the state Senate.

Houck, who was first elected to the Senate in 1983, said he thinks voters will favor him, as a moderate, over Republican challenger Robert Stuber, a conservative.

"I don't think that the citizens of the 17th District want a senator who is prone to the ideological extremes of the far left or the far right," said Houck, who lives in Spotsylvania County.

"Instead, I believe they value a mainstream representative who puts their interests above partisan politics.I don't think we're in a time in Virginia where we need to embrace these extremes. The ideological extremes simply do not meet the needs of Virginians or do not address the key issues that are occurring now in Virginia."

Houck said his campaign will focus largely on reminding voters of his "trusted, experienced leadership" as well as issues such as managing growth, making health care affordable for seniors, and adequately funding education. He said he has a track record of offering practical solutions to thorny problems.

"I think people are looking for elected leaders they can trust. I've been entrusted by the local voters of this district for the last 20 years," Houck said.

Taxation and fiscal policy are likely to be themes pressed by Stuber. Houck, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said while he's committed to keeping Virginia a low-tax state, that must be balanced with Virginians' demand for state services.

"The issue to me is one of maintaining reasonable low taxes, but at the same time being responsible to maintaining the services Virginians need and deserve," Houck said. "Those services are just as important to Virginia as it is to have an acceptable tax rate. It's not an either/or, it's striking that balance between services and taxation."

Nearly half of the district is new to Houck, having been redrawn by Republicans in 2001. Republicans tried to draw it more conservatively, hoping to win Houck's seat back. Houck said he's not worried.

"I have represented a Republican-voting district for the past 20 years," Houck said. "Except for myself, I cannot think of another Democratic candidate who carried the 17th senatorial district. So while it has changed its geographic makeup, I don't think it's changed that much of its nature."

In addition to the Finance Committee, Houck also sits on the Education and Health, Transportation, General Laws and Rules committees. He is fifth in seniority in the Senate.

The election is Nov. 4.

The 17th District includes Culpeper, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Spotsylvania counties and the city of Fredericksburg.

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Date published: 4/22/2003