Lake Ridge and Occoquan 2012 Election Guide

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Patch is devoted to bringing you the information you need about every race in town. Bookmark this page for updates! Links below will take you to either Patch coverage of the candidates or the candidate’s website.

To see all of our elections coverage from this year, click on the "Elections" tab in the blue menu bar above. 

Most local elections, including those for Prince William County Board, Virginia’s House of Delegates and State Senate elections, were in 2011.

In Lake Ridge and Occoquan, only these issues and people will be on ballots (presented in order from the most local issues to national candidates).

Clicking on the links below will bring you to Patch articles, the candidate’s website or other resources.

Voting Info

Absentee voting has already started and continues into early November. Information about .

On Nov. 6, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Look up your voting precinct here.

You can also look up what is on your ballot through the State Board of Elections website.

School Board, Occoquan District

Four people are on the ballot in the Occoquan District for the open school board seat, currently held temporarily by Michael Wooten. 

• Lori Bauckman-Moore
• Stanley Bender
• Lillie G. Jessie
• Michael E. "Mike" Wooten

Editor's Note: Wooten did not respond to multiple interview requests.

Virginia Constitutional Amendments

There are two Virginia constitutional amendments on the ballot. The Virginia State Board of Elections has created this brochure explaining the issues.

1st Congressional District

Republican incumbent Rob Wittman is facing challenges from Democrat Adam Cook and the Independent Green Party’s Glenda Gail Parker. Rep. Wittman was elected in a special election in 2007; he previously served in Virginia’s House of Delegates. Adam Cook had to briefly suspend his election this summer to deploy with the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Click on each candidate below for more information on each:

• Rep. Rob Wittman
• Adam Cook
• Glenda Gail Parker

11th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly is currently serving his second term as Virginia’s 11^thDistrict Congressman, after beating GOP challenger Keith Fimian by a very narrow 981 votes, or .43 percent in the last election. A former Fairfax County supervisor, Connolly will have his work cut out for him against GOP opponent Chris Perkins, who is well aware of how close the 2010 election was.

In addition, Connolly faces challenges from several independent candidates, including Fairfax businessman Mark Gibson. Here’s the full list of candidates. Click on each candidate for more information:

• Gerry Connolly (incumbent, Democrat)
• Chris Perkins (Republican)
• Mark Gibson (Independent)
• Christopher F. DeCarlo (Independent)
• Joseph F. Galdo (Green Party)
• Peter M. Marchetti (Independent Green Party)

U.S. Senate

Defense cuts and political gridlock in Washington were the focal points of the first debate between U.S. Senate candidates (and former Virginia governors) George Allen and Tim Kaine. The debate was in September in McLean.  Here’s more on each candidate:

• George Allen (Republican)
• Tim Kaine (Democrat)

U.S. President

President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney have been criss-crossing the Commonwealth for months trying to woo swing state voters. President Obama is looking for a repeat victory in the Old Dominion. Gov. Romney handily won the Virginia primary against Rep. Ron Paul. Independent candidate Virgil Goode will also be on the Virginia ballot, along with Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green candidate Jill Stein.

Recent appearances in Virginia by President Obama and Gov. Romney include:

• Gov. Romney in Springfield in September
• President Obama in Woodbridge in September
• Gov. Romney in Fairfax City in September
• President Obama in Leesburg in August
• Gov. Romney in Manassas in August

Also, see what your neighbors donated to the President Obama and Gov. Romney campaigns here.

See these articles on the other candidates:

• Virgil Goode Campaigns for President Against the Odds
• Gary Johnson 2012: The Libertarian Revolution will not be Televised
• Green Party's Jill Stein: The Occupy Candidate 

Here are results from 2008 from the major areas of Northern Virginia when then-Sen. Obama faced Sen. John McCain in the presidential election (this does not include third party candidates):

• Alexandria City – Obama 71.73 percent; McCain 27.25
• Arlington County – Obama 71.71 percent; McCain 27.12
• Fairfax County – Obama 60.11 percent; McCain 38.93 percent
• Loudoun County – Obama 53.66 percent; McCain 45.41 percent
• Prince William County – Obama 57.51 percent; McCain 41.62 percent
• Spotsylvania County – Obama 46.04; McCain 52.91 percent