Meet the Candidate: Jaime Areizaga-Soto

The brutal battle to for the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple has cost twice as much as other state Senate primaries and has distinguished itself for the frequency and severity of attacks candidates have levied at one another.

Attorney Jaime Areizaga-Soto faces Arlington County Board Member Barbara Favola in the 31st Senate District primary on Tuesday. The winner faces Republican Caren Merrick in November.

Name: Jaime Areizaga-Soto

Age: 41

Occupation: Attorney; Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army National Guard JAG Corps

Neighborhood: Clarendon-Courthouse

Past political experience: Policy advisor to Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple for past two General Assembly sessions; Currently serves as vice president of the Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia and on the Arlington County Transportation Commission.

Top three issues: “Over the last two years, we’ve seen abortion rights under fire in the commonwealth. That would be the first issue I would fight – to make sure abortion rights are safeguarded. No. 2, we’ve seen gay rights stifled. And I will fight for gay equality. I will fight to legalize gay marriage. Third, as a veteran myself, and a member of the military, I am deeply aware of the many soldiers who have gone downrange and have come back to less than they deserve and need… I will fight to take care of our soldiers returning home.”