Luke Torian Wants Metrorail for Prince William County

Editor's Note: This Q&A has been re-featured for readers as the election is Nov. 8. 

Candidate provided profile:

Luke Torian is a community leader in Prince William County. He has played a major role in several organizations including Action in Community Through Service (ACTS), an organization designed to alleviate hunger, homelessness, and domestic violence in the community. He is one of the founders of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), an organization dedicated to making change on social justice issues. He also served on the Cardinal Bank Advisory Board from 2000 to 2003.

Torian earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University. He then continued his education by pursuing graduate studies at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, then earning a Masters of Divinity degree from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University. In 1987, Delegate Torian earned a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from the School of Divinity at Howard University.

In 1997, he received the Prince William County Human Rights Commission Award for facilitating The Color of Fear, a dialogue on race relations. Delegate Torian has received Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.’s Citizen of The Year Award on two occasions. In 2003, Dr. John Maxwell, renowned expert in leadership development, selected Delegate Torian as one of 50 leaders from across the country to participate in a special leadership institute in Atlanta, GA.

Torian is the Pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries. He lives in Woodbridge with his wife Clarice who recently retired after 34 years in public education. Their daughter, Constance, is a fourth year student at the University of Virginia.

Luke Torian's Official Campaign Website

Question 1: What is one of the top issues facing residents of the 52nd District and how do you plan to address this if elected?

One of the top issues facing the 52nd District is job creation. I will
continue to work with our local Economic Development staff and our
legislative delegation to attract companies to Prince William County.


Question 2: How can Virginia generate more revenue for transportation projects?

Virginia can generate more funding by increasing their cooperation
with the federal government.  I will continue to work collaboratively
with our partners at the local, state and federal level so that we
receive increased funding.


Question 3: How would you support economic development and job creation?


I will continue to encourage the use of the Governor’s Opportunity
Fund to provide incentives for companies willing to locate in Prince
William County.

Question 4: Do you support HOT lanes, and why or why not? Was there a better solution to the traffic problems on I-95?

No I do not support HOT lanes. It will be disruptive to the commuter
process that is currently in place and increase the cost of the
citizens’ commute.

Question 5: Do you support extending Metrorail to Woodbridge? Why or why not?

I support extending Metrorail to Woodbridge.  I believe that over the
next 20 years the number of commuters will increase and road capacity
will be depleted. Metrorail presents the best option.