Candidate Profile: Ken Plum For VA House Of Delegates

RESTON, VA — Democrat Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum is the 79-year-old incumbent in the 36th District of the Virginia House of Delegates. Plum has represented the Reston area since 1982, and previously served in the House from 1978-1980.

In the June 8 primary, voters living in the 36th District will have a chance to decide whether Plum or challenger Mary Barthelson will be the Democratic candidate on the ballot for the Nov. 2 general election. Early voting is already underway.

Patch asked each of the candidates running in the Democratic primary to fill out the following profile:

Candidate's Name

Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum

Age (as of Election Day)

79

Position sought:

Member House of Delegates, 36th District

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Married to Jane M. Plum with four children and six grand-children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A. Old Dominion University, M.Ed University of Virginia

Occupation

Retired public educator with Fairfax County Public Schools, 30 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Incumbent delegate first elected in 1978. Continuous service from 1982 to present. Currently the longest serving member of the House of Delegates

Campaign website

kenplum.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Virginia has over the last two years gone through its most transformative and progressive period of history. I am honored to have been a part of the changes and will be working to expand and protect what has already been done.

The single most pressing issue facing our district is climate change, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Reduce carbon emissions. Promote electric vehicles, wind and solar power and resiliency measures.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I stand on my long-time record of service and votes on critical issues. I do not know my challenger well enough to comment on her.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Hind sight says we should have acted faster and I believe with a different administration in charge we would have responded more quickly and efficiency.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Full funding of public schools. Making critical environmental decisions. Redefining policing to ensure that mental health issues are handled by appropriate professionals. Continued support of legislation to end gun violence.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Widely recognized by numerous associations and organizations with awards related to human rights, environmental protection, education, mental health, and more.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Issues are never as simple as they might at first seems to be.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Recognized widely as one of the most responsive legislator for constituent services.

Related:

Early Voting For Democratic Primary Starts In Reston