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AAI’s 19th Annual Virginia Candidates’ Night Attracts Major Candidates from Throughout Northern Virginia, Hundreds of Arab Americans

AAI
Posted on Wednesday September 19, 2007

Evening Continues Long Tradition of Political Involvement Amongst Virginia’s Arab American Community

WASHINGTON – Sept. 19, 2007 – The Arab American Institute (AAI) and its Virginia Arab American Leadership Council will hold their 19th annual Virginia Candidates’ Night this Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Tysons Corner Marriott in Vienna, Va. The event, attended each year by over 300 Arab Americans, has already attracted over 70 candidates for state and local office including State Senate, House of Delegates, city and county board of supervisors, and school boards.

Candidates confirmed to attend the event include Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R); Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple (D); Del. Brian Moran (D); Gerry Connolly (D), chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Joan DuBois (R), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Penny Gross (D), Mason District Supervisor; Paul Ferguson (D), chairman of the Arlington County Board; and Pat Herrity (R), candidate for Springfield Supervisor.

After statements from each candidate, Arab Americans in attendance will have an opportunity to question candidates on campaign issues. Over 135,000 Americans of Arab descent reside in Virginia, comprising a key voter contingent in the state. Three quarters of Virginia’s Arab Americans reside in the northern suburbs of Washington, D.C. Demographic information on Virginia’s Arab American population is available at www.aaiusa.org.

WHO: Over 70 candidates for state and local office; over 300 hundred Virginia Arab Americans.

WHAT: The 19th annual Virginia Candidates’ Night, organized by the Arab American Institute and its Virginia Arab American Leadership Council steering committee.

WHEN: Sun., Sept. 23, 2007, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

WHERE: Tysons Corner Marriott, 8028 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, Va.