Virginia's 8th District Knows Its Politics; Issues in Race Must Hit ...
In VirginiaÛªs 8th Congressional District, you can forget about the trade deficit; the mostly affluent, suburban commuters of the oth are worried about traffic tieups and HOV lanes.</br></br>Looking for global hot spots? Try the DistrictÛªs Lorton Reformatory, which happens to be in the heart of the 8th, in southern Fairfax County.</br></br>Republican Rep. Stan Parris or his Democratic opponent, Del. David G. BrickleyÛÓthereÛªs no argument about the fundamental premise of this year's 8th District election: all politics are local.</br></br>Parris, a former member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, is hoping that his emphasis on parochial matters such as transportation and his tireless, sharp-tongued criticism of the District government will win him a sixth term.</br></br>The two are vying to represent a district that takes such matters seriously. Political activists say that the 8th, which comprises the southern half of Fairfax County, the eastern two-thirds of Prince William County, the northern half of Stafford County and the entire city of Alexandria, includes some of the countryÛªs most informed, involved and independent voters.