Meet The Candidate: Kara Pitek For Delegate

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Kara Pitek is one of three challengers looking to unseat incumbent Delegate Elizabeth Guzman for the Democratic nomination in the 31st district of the House of Delegates. The 31st district includes parts of Dale City, Woodbridge, western Prince William County, and part of Fauquier County.

In the Democratic Primary, which ends on Tuesday, June 8, Pitek is running against Guzman, Rod Hall, and Idris O'Connor. The winner of the primary will face Republican nominee Ben Baldwin in the general election on November 2.

Pitek has worked as a project manager Garud Technology Services for more than 10 years, overseeing federal acquisitions. She says her experience would parlay perfectly into a role in the government.

In her own words, here is more information about Pitek and why she is running for delegate.

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Education

Master's in Public Administration
Bachelor's in Political Science

Project Manager / Federal Acquisition SME at Garud Technology Services. 12 years of experience.

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to help to restore people's faith in public service and help create a government that gives everyday people a true voice in the legislative process. I will implement policies that create true economic, social, and environmental justice and uplift our communities and campaign finance reforms to give a louder voice to members of the communities that the policies enacted in Richmond directly affect.

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

Affordable housing. While we need to raise the minimum wage to a true living wage to reflect the cost of living, we must also ensure that we are implementing affordable housing solutions so our teachers and first responders and retail workers can afford to live in the communities they serve. No one should be paying more than half their income for a roof over their and their family's heads.

Prior to my work in the federal procurement space, I worked with a non-profit organization that builds and manages affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. I have both experienced and witnessed the effects that having a safe place to live and the opportunity to receive a quality education can have on the trajectory of one's life and as a member of the Prince William Housing Board I continue to fight for affordable housing programs in Prince William County.

As Delegate I will partner with non-profits and private entities to ensure affordable housing for everyone. I will build upon existing housing voucher, subsidization, and grant programs. The Commonwealth as a whole should be looking to other states that have found success in establishing innovative ways to provide affordable housing to their residents to replicate these successes.

As a Project Manager I recognize the importance of planning. With little to no direction from the federal government, states were left to pick up the slack and I think overall Virginia did the best we could under the circumstances. However, it seemed as a lot of the decisions were being made piecemeal with no consideration made to the medium and long term effects (i.e. school and retail closures).

From the beginning, when virologists were initially forecasting a 6-month impact on operations, we should have developed 3- 6- and 9- month plans for transitions (closure and reopening), certain phases of which could have been extended, if necessary. But it seemed as though School Boards and other entities had ad hoc discussions as the virus got worse, but there was no guidance in place or general plan of action.

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

I have worked my entire career ensuring that the 40% of our federal discretionary budget that is spent on goods and services is done so to the best value to the taxpayer and I want to take that same focus on oversight and accountability to Richmond and ensure that our state government is fulfilling its mission of serving the people of the Commonwealth. I have written federal acquisition policy and audited government contracts for almost a decade and I want to utilize that experience of improving efficiencies and utilizing best practices, and couple it with my passion for serving our community to ensure that we not only have the best minds serving the people, but the best hearts as well.

In what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

I will be a committed and trusted voice for the 31st District. I see the position of Delegate as one of service to the community, not as a stepping stone nor a safety net. The 31st needs a decisive leader who knows how to plan, knows how to execute, and knows how to build bridges among stakeholders with varied interests; I will be that leader.

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

Over a dozen years in service to federal, state, and local governments with progressive responsibilities. I currently serve as a Project Manager and manage a team supporting a federal acquisition portfolio of almost $3 billion. I have managed this project for about two years to great success for my company and for our federal client. In my most recent prior role I managed a team serving the government as SMEs for contract transition of telecommunications services for every federal agency across the nation.
My work as Community Outreach Director for NOVA Family First, bringing families together through projects that serve our community.
My success chairing the Potomac Magisterial District Democratic Committee and serving as Corresponding Secretary for the Prince William County Democratic Committee.
My determination and ability to bounce back when faced with adversity.
I was suspended from college after my freshman year. Rather than take the "gap year" the school and my parents suggested, I continued my full-time summer job as a waitress into and throughout the school year, took courses as a non-matriculated student at a nearby college earning as many credits as I would have at my original university, and re-enrolled my junior year completely caught-up to my peers. I graduated on time and went on to a pursue a Master's Degree, graduating with a 3.8 GPA.
After three years of emotional and financial abuse and a difficult separation from my (then, soon-to-be ex-)husband I was left in tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and, without the kindness of friends letting me use their couches and spare rooms, would have been unsheltered. I had a full-time job but still had family members mailing me gift cards so I could buy groceries and filling my MetroCard for me so I could get to work. It was a dark time, but I searched and interviewed for months, and finally found a new, better-paying job with opportunities for career advancement. That job helped put me on a path to where I am today: happily married with two beautiful children, a homeowner, debt free (save our mortgage), and working for a wonderful company that truly treats me and my colleagues like family. I will never forget what it was like having a $20 grocery budget for the week and I will always be grateful for where I am, because I know how quickly and easily it can all be gone.

A rising tide lifts all boats.

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

I have worked my entire life to better the lives of my neighbors and I want to truly work for the people and implement policy that will uplift the entire community and give everyone the same chance for success in life.