Watts: 'You Need Comprehensive Solutions'

The Fairfax County Delegate Vivian Watts moved to in 1963 was very different from the county of today. "Politics was all about the massive resistance on whether the public schools would be integrated," Watts said. For a young woman from Michigan, this was a big change. "There was that tremendous curiosity about what I had moved into," she said.

This curiosity led to her involvement with local issues and then into politics. Today, Watts is one of the area's longest serving public servants. She first ran for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1979. "I was chosen to run on the sacrificial lamb race against Jack Herrity," she said. Though Watts lost to Herrity, running helped get her the name recognition that allowed her to run for delegate and win in 1982. 

Watts had been a staffer at the traditionally Republican-leaning Chamber of Commerce when she decided to run for office as a Democrat. "I had been totally non-partisan," Watts said, "but I decided I would rather argue with Democrats all night long about making government programs more cost-effective than arguing with Republicans about whether government was necessary at all." 

"I'm a numbers person at heart," Watts said and she considers economic and financial issues her strong suit. "The more you get involved, the more you need comprehensive solutions," Watts said, "business needs a well educated work force and you need the business tax base for education." Watts first priority is improving the economy, so the state can address transportation problems and adequately fund education. "All these things tie together," Watts said.

From 1986 to 1990, Watts served as Virginia's Secretary of State for Transportation and Public Safety and remains concerned about transportation and law enforcement. "[Transportation] is an essential service of government we're not investing in," Watts said.  According to Watts, this underinvestment results from Republicans' unwillingness to spend government money and the failure of legislators from the rest of the state to understand Northern Virginia's traffic problems. She worries the region has already fallen behind. "Even if we did something about it yesterday, it would be five or six years before [Fairfax's transportation problems] could begin to be addressed," Watts said.

One issue where Watt's interest in finance, transportation, and public safety intersect are on state alcohol and gun policies. Watts opposes Governor McDonnell's plan to privatize state liquor store.  "I don't think the numbers work. You've got a significant loss of revenue for a one-time windfall," she said.

Watts also opposed the new law that allows individuals to carry concealed weapons in bars and restaurants. "That bill was strongly opposed by the restaurant and hospitality industry. They were very concerned about safety," Watts said, "it's just a deadly combination to put alcohol and concealed weapons together."

Watts' second term began in 1996 and she plans on staying were she is right now. "I really enjoyed the challenge and feel there is a need for the depth of knowledge and experience I have," she said.