Why Save Rural Loudoun EndorsesJohn McAuliff for Delegate

By John Ellis

Save Rural Loudoun is a non-partisan, community-based organization focused on local issues that matter to citizens of all political persuasions, including preserving Loudoun’s farms and farmland and protecting its natural resources. In the past, we have not endorsed candidates for public office out of concern that it might be perceived as showing partisan preference.

We recognize, however, that elections matter. We are frankly frustrated that candidates often offer empty lip service on rural and small town issues, while accepting large campaign contributions from outside development interests and, once elected, putting those interests above the interests of their own constituents. Every year, development is consuming more and more local farmland and natural areas, slowly chipping away at the rural character that makes Loudoun so special.

We can no longer sit on the sidelines. We believe it is our responsibility to help voters understand the choices they make on the local issues that matter to them.

In the past, we have worked closely with officials of both parties. For example, we supported Republican County Supervisor Buffington’s efforts to provide financial support for conservation easements and we supported Democratic County Supervisor Randall’s and Supervisor Tekrony’s efforts to preserve prime farming soils.

In advance of this year’s campaign in Virginia House of Delegates District 30, serving western Loudoun and Fauquier counties, Save Rural Loudoun sent a questionnaire to both candidates, asking them to clarify what they would do to address falling water tables, traffic on rural roads, rising electricity costs, and support for local farmers.

Incumbent Delegate Geary Higgins informed us verbally and in writing that he did not have time to answer our questions. Candidate John McAuliff provided concrete answers to each question. 

We are disappointed that Mr. Higgins could not find time to explain his positions to the voters. In the absence of a direct response, we reviewed information on his campaign website and his record as a Loudoun County Supervisor and Delegate in the state legislature to fill in the information gaps.

We can confirm that there are at least two issues on which the candidates agree. Both are committed to preserving western Loudoun’s gravel roads and both support the creation of a state park at Oak Hill. We appreciate these commitments, while recognizing that neither of these issues addresses the most fundamental threats to our rural areas and small towns.

We consider the long-term drop in our water tables and risk that large numbers of rural households may lose their wells to be a critical threat. Mr. McAuliff proposes to create a state “water management area” in western Loudoun and Fauquier, which would empower the state to restrict development in areas whose underground water resources are at risk. Save Rural Loudoun strongly supports this proposal.

We do not know what position Mr. Higgins might take on this issue. We are concerned, however, by his past support for more development in and around the historic village of Lucketts, whose water sources are threatened by falling water tables in sensitive karst terrain. 

We were also disappointed that, while serving in the state legislature, Mr. Higgins went out of his way to lobby our County Board of Supervisors against their initiative to preserve prime farming soils.

With respect to rising electricity rates, which are primarily due to exploding data center demand, Mr. McAuliff proposes to establish a separate rate category for “high volume users.” This would enable electricity suppliers to charge a higher rate on data centers’ electricity use and maintain lower rates for citizens and other businesses. We strongly support his proposal.

We do not know what position Mr. Higgins might take on this critical issue either. However, we are concerned that he has accepted large campaign donations from Dominion Energy and other energy sector companies. Mr. McAuliff, on the other hand, has pledged that he will not accept donations from Dominion.

With respect to local farming and agritourism, Mr. McAuliff pledges support for a longstanding request from the Virginia Farm Bureau to establish a northern Virginia processing plant in Fauquier County. He also proposes to create a state agritourism tax credit to support new rural small businesses.

Based on what we know of the candidates’ positions on these issues, we believe rural and small town voters have a clear choice in this election. Mr. McAuliff has made specific, concrete commitments to address falling water tables, prevent data-center driven electricity price inflation, and support farming. Mr. Higgins has not.

For that reason, Save Rural Loudoun endorses Mr. McAuliff for Delegate. We want to stress, again, that this endorsement is based solely on the candidates’ positions on issues that matter to us and has nothing to do with their party affiliations.

Voters often express a sense of futility about efforts to preserve rural areas. Elections are an opportunity to build local governments that are more responsive to our concerns. However you vote, please make your voice heard!

John Ellis is Chairman of the Board of Save Rural Loudoun, a registered 501(c)(4) non-profit, non-partisan community organization. He is also a member of the board of the Between the Hills Conservancy, an official “friends organization” for Sweet Run State Park.