In The Press - 2007

Korean Vote Adds Up for Petersen
Fairfax County Times
By Frank Mustac
November 28 2007

According to State Sen.-elect Chap Petersen (D), probably the main reason he won on Election Day was that he personally knocked on about 20,000 doors in Annandale, Fairfax City, Vienna and other parts of the 34th District to ask voters for their support face to face. Another reason is the support he received from the Korean-American community, with which Petersen has close ties through his marriage to his wife Sharon, a Korean American.
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Petersen Ousts Davis
Fairfax Connection
By Julia O'Donoghue
November 8, 2007

High profile race may have an impact beyond the 34th District. "Voter turn out feels above average. … Our goal was to have more turn out than this district had in 2003. More turn out is better for us," said Petersen around noon on the day of the election. The victorious candidate had been up greeting voters at the polls since they opened at 6 a.m. Devolites Davis conceded earlier than other Republican incumbents in Fairfax County.
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Petersen Easily Unseats Davis in Senate
The Washington Times
By Seth McLaughlin
November 7, 2007

Jeannemarie Devolites Davis yesterday lost her bid for re-election to the Virginia Senate, dealing Republicans a blow in a key Northern Virginia district. John Chapman "Chap" Petersen, a Democrat, defeated Mrs. Davis in the 34th Senate District in central Fairfax.
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Police Union: Chap Will Keep Fairfax Safe
Press Release
November 1, 2007

On Thursday, the International Union of Police Associations, AFL-CIO (I.U.P.A.) announced its endorsement of Democratic candidate Chap Petersen in the race for the State Senate in the 34th District of Virginia.
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In Fairfax Senate Race, Candidates Are Playing Against Stereotype
By Marc Fisher
October 21, 2007

In a district that, even more than the rest of Fairfax, is trending Democratic, Devolites Davis is positioning herself to the left of her challenger, former delegate Chap Petersen.
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Local Elections 2007 - Candidate Chap Petersen (D)
Washington Post
October 2007

Why should voters elect you?
I am a hard worker, careful listener and fierce advocate. I have knocked on over 45,000 doors in my career.

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Petersen Proposes Reform of Student Loan Industry
Press Release
October 2, 2007

Today in Fairfax, Democratic State Senate candidates Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) and Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) announced plans to reform the student loan industry in Virginia by prohibiting abusive lending practices at Virginia universities. In their press conference, McEachin and Petersen focused their remarks on Sallie Mae – a private company making student loans – whose stock price has increased exponentially, while it has been investigated for its abusive lending practices.
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Democrats Chap Petersen and Donald McEachin to Unveil Student Loan Reform Platform
Press Release
October 1, 2007

The Democrats will outline their vision to protect Virginia’s college students from unfair predatory lending practices currently being used by student loan companies such as Sallie Mae.
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Fairfax May Hold State Senate Key
GOP's Devolites Davis faces a strong challenge from Petersen in the 34th
By Pamela Stallsmith
September 30, 2007

In a district that has become decidedly Democratic, a Republican state senator is running for re-election by running from her party. State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, R-Fairfax County, is facing a stiff challenge for the 34th District seat from Democrat J. Chapman Petersen of Fairfax city in one of the most closely watched and acrimonious legislative races this fall.
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Fighting Over the Middle Ground
Senate candidates espouse moderate views in contest over central Fairfax.
By Julia O'Donoghue
September 20, 2007

The two candidates [have] clashed on transportation, specifically the funding proposal passed by the General Assembly during its spring legislative session. Devolites Davis said she is opposed to the controversial abusive driver fees in which penalties for certain traffic violations would cost over $1,000. Petersen said Devolites Davis appears to have changed her opinions on the abusive driver fees several times, since she voted for the bill in which they were included and then later called for them to be repealed.
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Petersen Announces Comprehensive Plan for Fairfax's Future
Press Release
September 10, 2007

Chap Petersen, Democratic candidate for State Senate, unveiled a detailed plan Monday to promote sustainable living in Fairfax today and in the future. Petersen's plan, called "Virginia 2.0," lays out his proposals for improving traffic, renewable energy use and environmental protection in Fairfax and throughout Virginia. The five-part plan offers specific proposals on issues ranging from alternative energy development to improvements in traffic infrastructure.
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Chap, in a Nutshell
State senate candidate talks about hobbies, politics.
By Lauren Glendenning
September 6, 2007

"People are tired of the gimmicks from Richmond," Petersen said. In addition to the uproar surrounding the abuser driver fees enacted as part of the transportation bill last session, Petersen said higher education and the environment also take center stage. Petersen said he wants to make Virginia’s great institutions of higher education more accessible to residents by implementing more merit-based scholarships and reforming student loan procedures. George Mason University is in the middle of the 34th Senatorial District. As a hunter, fisher and lover of athletics, Petersen is also respectful and fond of the environment. He said local governments in Northern Virginia are catching onto environmental concerns, but the state needs to catch up too. Green-building standards should be mandatory for all new construction across Virginia, he said.
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Senate Candidates Decry 'Abuser Fees'
By Michelle Zimmermann
August 1, 2007

Chap Petersen, George Barker and Janet Oleszek all said they were in favor of outright abolishment of the fines, calling them excessive and unfair. And anytime a conviction results in jail time, Petersen said a stay in Sheriff "Stan Barry's hotel" would also cost the taxpayers more money.
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Candidates on the March for Votes in Virginia
By Seth McLaughlin
July 5, 2007

Mr. Petersen, a former state delegate, points to the transportation agreement as the latest example of how Republican leadership has shortchanged the region. "By and large, Fairfax is a donor to the state budget, and I think that's why people are frustrated," the lifelong Fairfax resident said. "They say, 'Look, you know Northern Virginia is the most populated part of the commonwealth. Why is it we have to raise taxes over and above state taxes in order to get basic state services. It doesn't make sense.' That's a legitimate argument."
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Senate Race Defies Labels
Davis Is Facing A Bluer Fairfax
By Amy Gardner
July 5, 2007

Davis's opponent, Democrat J. Chapman Petersen, is getting extra attention from state party leaders who view Davis's seat as their best chance to make gains against the GOP's 23-17 majority in the Senate. It's a seat we'd like to pick up," said Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), the Senate minority leader. "That's largely a Democratic district. And Chap Petersen is probably the most tenacious campaigner in the state."
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Retired Officers Listen to Candidates
Morrogh, Petersen and Scott address law enforcement community.
By Mirza Kuspahic
April 25, 2007

About 30 people, 10 guns and three candidates were crammed into the back room of the Pan Am Family Restaurant in Fairfax. "When it comes to prosecutors you can’t go wrong with this man," said Chap Petersen, the Democratic challenger to Sen. Jean Marie Devolites Davis (R-34). Petersen, a lawyer, said Morrogh is the best person to replace Horan.
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Partying in the 34th
By Lauren Glendenning
April 19, 2007

The State Senate race in the 34th District is sizzling with action, but early stages of the campaign prove it’s all about the money. Democratic opponent, J. Chapman "Chap" Petersen is showing that he can raise money. In the first three months of his campaign, Petersen has raised about $185,000. Petersen said he’s had more than 550 individual donors this year — more than any other candidate statewide, he said.
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Shining a Little Light
Letter to the Editor
March 29, 2007

Citizens of Fairfax County are cynical about real estate development. You can’t blame us. There is hardly any citizen or public official who is not somehow involved with the omnipresent real estate industry. The best medicine for cynicism is sunshine.
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Petersen Backs Tyson's Tunnel
Letter to the Editor
February 14, 2007

On Feb. 6, the Federal Transit Administration stated that Virginia has another 15-18 months to submit its final plans for the multi-billion dollar Dulles Rail project. In other words, Virginia officials have a second chance to avoid what could be a catastrophic land-use mistake: The building of an elevated rail system through the heart of Tyson's Corner.
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City Attorney to Challenge State Senator
January 4, 2007

Fairfax city attorney J. Chapman Petersen has filed paperwork with the Virginia Board of Elections to challenge incumbent state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, R-Vienna. Political observers expect the race in the 34th Senate District to be among the year’s most competitive, as Northern Virginia has voted increasingly Democratic in recent elections.
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Petersen To Challenge Devolites Davis
January 3, 2007

Petersen, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for the 34th District seat in the State Senate, Wednesday, Jan. 3. The seat currently is held by Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, a Republican entering her fourth year as senator. “I really enjoy representing people,” said Petersen. “When I do that, I’m happy.”
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Chap in 07?
November 22, 2006

Former delegate Chap Petersen hints at his candidacy for the state Senate next year.
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