Community Leader Lavern Chatman Enters 8th Congressional District Race

Lavern Chatman kicked off her congressional campaign Wednesday night in Arlington, at the Army-Navy Country Club. She is running in the crowded Democratic primary for the 8th congressional District seat, now open after Congressman Jim Moran announced his retirement from Congress.

“The challenges we face demand a new type of leadership and a fresh perspective in Washington," she said in a news release.

"I have spent my entire life working in our community to get things done for the people of Northern Virginia," said Chatman. "Now I want to go to Congress to do even more for the 8th District."

“The 8th District has been fortunate to be represented by Congressman Jim Moran, a man I am proud to call my friend," she noted. "I want to build on his strong progressive leadership. In Congress, I will fight to protect federal workers from budget cuts. I will fight for continued improvements in education, for women to make their own health care decisions without government intrusion, for pay equity for women and for economic fairness for working families,” Chatman continued.

Chatman is a Northern Virginia native from a working class family, where her mother spent 30 years as a U.S. Postal employee and her father worked as an automobile mechanic. She is a community leader, mentor of young men and women and a champion for small business.  

She was a volunteer with America’s Promise and served as President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Urban League where she led efforts to eliminate the educational achievement gap and delivered transformational programs to underserved communities.

Del. Alfonso Lopez also recently entered the race, according to The Washington Post. The newspaper noted that Arlington County Board member Walter Tejada was also mulling a run, as is Mark Levine, a liberal radio talk show host.

Also read:

• State Sen. Adam Ebbin Announces Run for Congress
• Charniele Herring Enters Race for Congress
• Sickles Joins Growing List of Democrats Seeking 8th Congressional District Nod
• Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille Enters Congressional Race
• Patrick Hope Launches Congressional Campaign
• Report: Don Beyer to Enter Race for Congress
• After Jim Moran: Awaiting a Swarm of Potential Successors