News release:

Patton, Barker join
Arlington GOP ticket

Arlington County Republicans have selected candidates for County Board and School Board, who will appear on the November ballot.

The County Republican Committee unanimously nominated Landey Patton for County Board and endorsed William Barker for School Board, at the GOP's May 27 committee meeting.

"Arlington voters deserve a choice for local office," said Scott Tate, County GOP Chairman. "Landey and Bill will bring new ideas to the campaign trail, and encourage a healthy debate on the future of our community."

Patton is a business entrepreneur and real estate agent. A native of Northern Virginia and graduate of Princeton University, he spent most of his professional career in the Chicago area. He and his wife now live in the Lee Heights neighborhood of North Arlington. They are the parents of five daughters.

Patton said he hopes to stimulate discussion on ways to improve the climate for small businesses in Arlington, as well as ways to make County government function more efficiently, and to reduce the burden of rising taxes on Arlington homeowners.

Barker is a career public servant, having held a wide range of positions with the federal government both at home and abroad. He is a "second time" resident of Arlington, having lived in the County during the 1980's and then returned in the late 90's following an overseas assignment. He and his wife reside in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of South Arlington. They are the parents of three children, including one of school age who attends Arlington public schools.

Barker said his campaign would focus attention on the performance of Arlington schools in meeting the needs of a diverse community and on the school system's debt service.

Tate said the County GOP is united and looks forward to a vigorous campaign season on behalf of the entire Republican ticket this year, including President George W. Bush and Lisa Marie Cheney for Congress, as well as Patton and Barker in the two local races.

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For more information on the Arlington Republican Party, visit ACRC on the web at www.ArlingtonGOP.org