Tejada Works for Webb

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada's support for US Senate Candidate Jim Webb was highlighted in the article 'Webb, Allen court Hispanic, white-collar voters in N. Va.' in the Virginia Pilot. Earlier this week, Tejada organized a public event for Webb, emphasizing the need for leadership in the US Senate.

See also 'Tejada Endores Webb' on October 3, 2006 and 'Tejada Supports Webb' on October 24, 2006.

(Full Article from the Virginia Pilot below.)

Webb, Allen court Hispanic, white-collar voters in N. Va.
By Dale Eisman, The Virginian-Pilot © October 25, 2006

Bailey's Crossroads - Democrat Jim Webb made his pitch to a gathering composed largely of Latino carpenters and other blue-collar workers, promising them "a voice where there is no voice today" if he's elected.

Republican incumbent George Allen delivered a business-oriented appeal to a mostly white-collar audience, talking of lower taxes and insurance pools he said would give Hispanic and other minority entrepreneurs a better chance to prosper and expand their businesses.

In vote-rich Northern Virginia, where one in four residents is either Hispanic or Asian in origin, the immigrant vote could prove critical in the tight Allen-Webb race. Each candidate has worked this week to go after it.

On Monday, Webb lunched with about 60 supporters convened by Arlington County Board chairman Walter Tejada, the area's highest-ranking Hispanic official. Webb accepted a $4,000 campaign donation from a group of carpenters and told them it meant far more to him coming from working people than would the same amount donated by a wealthy benefactor.

On Tuesday it was Allen's turn. At a midday gathering at a Latino-owned bakery, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez endorsed his candidacy and Allen emphasized his support for lower taxes and his opposition to gay marriage.

Allen also claimed the endorsement Tuesday of the Latino Coalition, a business-oriented group that has endorsed a broad spectrum of candidates in both major parties, ranging from conservative Republican Allen to liberal Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.

While appealing for Latino support, both men trod carefully on the issue that Hispanic leaders say is most important to their voters: immigration. Allen, who has called for construction of real and "virtual" fencing to control the nation's border with Mexico and who insists that illegal immigrants must be prosecuted, did not even mention immigration in his appearance Tuesday.

Webb told his supporters on Monday that he favors "secure" borders and "fairness" in dealing with thousands of immigrants who are in the United States illegally but have gotten jobs and are productive members of their communities.

Reach Dale Eisman at (703)913-9872 or icemandc@msn.com.

Tejada & Urban Policy

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada's selection by Governor Timothy M. Kaine to be part of the Governor's Urban Policy Task Force, a Cabinet-level task force that will review economic, social, and fiscal conditions in Virginia's urban areas, was noted in The Connection.

Tejada Supports Webb

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada spoke about his support for Virginia Senate Candidate Jim Webb in the Washington Times.

"With two weeks until the Nov. 7 election, Mr. Webb, 60, and Mr. Allen, 54, are in a statistical tie. The race could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate, and sets the agenda on the Iraq war, immigration reform and President Bush's tax cuts. Tejada said yesterday that Mr. Webb's early opposition to the war, his push to raise the minimum wage and his ideas on immigration resonate "very well" in the Hispanic community. "He knows what it's like to be poor," Mr. Tejada said. "He also feels earned citizenship needs to be an option for those who can show they have done well, not violated law, who pay taxes. Why should they be denied the opportunity in this country if they have been here for many generations in some cases?"

Mr. Webb, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, favors a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens who are in the U.S. "People who say 'no amnesty' or that we are not going to do anything with the individuals who are here are basically looking at a fairy tale," Mr. Webb told reporters yesterday. "The people who actually have put down long roots in these communities, we need to find a process to bring them properly into society and into the work force."

See also 'Tejada Endorses Webb' October 3, 2006.

Tejada Dances for Charity

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada participates tonight in a 'Dancing with the Stars' fundraiser for the Bonder and Amanda Johnson Community Development Corporation in Arlington's Nauck neighborhood, according to the Washington Post. The event will take place tonight at 6pm at the NRECA building. Also participating in the event are County Board Chair Chris Zimmerman and Del. Albert Eisenberg with WJLA's Elliott Francis as the master of ceremonies.

The event will support affordable housing in Arlington and "will feature a dancing competition inspired by ABC's television show 'Dancing with the Stars'." The Washington Post article featured a dancing Walter with two photographs, one on the cover of the Metro section, and another inside. (The current Arlington Connection has several more photographs though they are not online.)

Tejada Named To Urban Policy Task Force

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada has been appointed to Virginia's Urban Policy Task Force by Governor Tim Kaine, according to the Washington Post. This Task Force is "a Cabinet-level task force that will review economic, social, and fiscal conditions in Virginia’s urban areas."

According to the press release, the task force is charged with developing "a comprehensive state urban policy that will give particular attention to actionable, top priorities and establish specific quantifiable benchmarks to address economic and social conditions and inequities within urban areas."

Tejada Endorses Jim Webb

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada joined other Latino leaders in endorsing Jim Webb's candidacy for the U.S. Senate and announced the formation of 'Adelante con Webb,' at the Gran Palenque restaurant, according to this press release, the Fairfax County Times, and the Raising Kaine blog.

Walter said, "We need someone in the Senate who will inspire us and work to bring us together. Jim Webb offers leadership with hope, inclusiveness and opportunity.”

For more, visit the Jim Webb for Senate website.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada helped start Arlington County’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, according to the Arlington Connection. Tejada offered a speech on "Latinos Making a Difference in Arlington" and lauded the achievements of staff Sgt. Felix Herrera. Herrera is a graduate of Washington-Lee High School and taught at Wakefield High School. He completed two tours of duty, in both Afghanistan and Iraq."

Tejada said, "too many times we focus on the challenges, and not the other 99.9% of the population thriving."

The County has a press release that highlights events for Hispanic Heritage Month including salsa lessons and family-oriented programs at local libraries including Central Library and Columbia Pike Library.