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Miller focuses on economy, transportation after big win
"Well, it was nice not having headwinds of the anti-Republican sentiment that I had in the first first two races," said Del. Jackson Miller (R-50th), as he reflected Monday morning after his almost-25-point win on Election Day. "It made it about a heck of a lot easier."Miller has insisted the 50th district, which contains all of the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park along with a handful of Prince William County precincts, votes for the candidate instead of the party.
Yet district voters overwhelmingly supported the entire Republican ticket last week and gave Miller his biggest victory over Democrat Jeanette Rishell in the three times the two have faced off.
Times have changed since district residents frequently cited illegal immigration and overcrowding as among their top issues in 2006 and 2007, along with transportation and education.
Now it's all about jobs and the economy. Miller said as he campaigned door to door that his constituents did not present detailed plans for what they wanted him to do in Richmond.
"They were saying, 'Make sure you do what you can to protect jobs and keep our economy afloat,'" said Miller.
The incumbent, who won his second full two-year term last week, said that despite health care grabbing headlines, the issue was not even in the top-five most cited issues raised to him by district residents.
"I didn't hear it that often," he said, adding that most of the people that did mention health care said they wanted the government "to stay the hell out of health care."
Miller said his priorities when he returns to Richmond for the 2010 General Assembly session will be improving the economy, maintaining the commonwealth's ranking as the best state to do business in, and locking up the Transportation Trust Fund.
According to Miller, if the Democratic-controlled state Senate is willing to lock up the Transportation Trust Fund so its money cannot be spent on other needs, then the Republican-controlled House of Delegates will likely be more flexible on how to raise revenue.
The House majority generally is against raising taxes to fund transportation projects, preferring bonds and fees instead. The Senate has preferred tax increases, such as on gasoline, arguing that it is the most direct user fee available.
"Obviously, we can kill each other's legislation all day long, but that doesn't" fund transportation, Miller said, stressing the need to compromise. "We've got to come to a solution."
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