WHO: Delegate Barbara Comstock, 34th District
Caren Merrick, 31st State Senate District Candidate
WHAT: Campaign Office Opening
WHEN: Saturday, July 16, 2011
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 1313 Dolley Madison
McLean, VA 22101
McLean, VA (July 12, 2011) – On Saturday, July 16, the campaign office for Delegate Barbara Comstock (House VA-34) and our Republican candidate for State Senate, Caren Merrick, (Senate VA-31) will open in downtown McLean their campaign managers announced today.
“Elected in 2009 to the 34th District in the House of Delegates, Delegate Comstock is serving a very successful first term,” said her campaign manager, Amanda Isaacson. “As delegate she has focused on bipartisan efforts to improve the lives and economic opportunities for all Virginians. Some of these measures include a Telework tax credit and a Research and Development tax credit; reforming Virginia’s higher education system to increase affordability and more access for in-state students; and passing a fiscally responsible balanced budget.”
Barbara serves on the Transportation, Science and Technology and General Laws committees and as a freshman delegate was selected for a leadership role as the Chairman of the Housing Subcommittee and as a member of the Governor’s Economic Development and Job Creation Commission. Barbara is an attorney and small businesswoman, and a 30-year resident of Northern Virginia where she has raised her three children with her husband Chip, an assistant principal at Oakton High School.
“Caren Merrick has been a resident of Northern Virginia for 23 years, and has been a technology entrepreneur, helping to create hundreds of jobs,” said her campaign manager, Patricia Thiergartner.
As a cofounder of webMethods, and mentor and investor in several early-stage technology companies, Caren has shown her dedication and investment in the American entrepreneurial spirit in Northern Virginia. Caren has been an innovator and leader in the nonprofit sector, helping thousands of families succeed in education, work, and life. She has served on the boards of Inova Health Care Services, Greater DC Cares, and Charity Works. Caren has also served on the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, Board of Trustees of the Fairfax Symphony, and is a Guest Lecturer at the McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University. In 2010 she served as a member of Governor McDonnell’s bipartisan Economic Development and Jobs Creation Commission. In the past legislative session, many of Caren’s ideas were adopted as part of an opportunity agenda, helping to create a better environment for entrepreneurs and those who start and grow businesses and create jobs.
Caren and her husband have been married for nearly 18 years and have two sons in the 4th and 7th grades. Both Caren and Phillip are active in their community; family activities include Church and teaching Sunday school, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, soccer, basketball, hiking, fishing, volunteering, and many school activities.
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