Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-10-16
Experience Challenged in Fairfax-FaIIs Church
By WALTER WURFEL
Star staff Writer

Experience is a two-e d ge d
sword in the race for the two
SatrsGx-Falls CHI Ich seats in
shs State Senate The Demo-
era are using a. to cut one
way; the Republicans are slic-
ing back with the other edge.
The two Democrats say their
combined experience in State
affairs and public office, plus
their ability to get along with
the Democratic m ajority in
Richmond leave the voters no
reasonable choice but them.
It's the 1OO-year experience
of having Democrats represent
the area IN Richmond that has
caused many of the local prob
lens, retort the two Republi-
cans. They cite underrepresen-
-tation in the legislature and
the constant shortage of State
road funds for Northern Vir-
ginia as prime examples.
The Democrats reply that
the legislative record of the
areas only recent Republican
legislator. Delegate Glenn A.
Burklund. was so bad that his
bid for denomination was
spurned by the party at its
convention last May.
A fifth Senate candidate
running as an independent is
steering clear of the conflict
over experience. His main cam
paign theme is to prevent the
incorporation of Fairfax Coun-
ty as a 400-square-mile city.
Both the Democrats and one
Republican have long back
grounds of experience in public
office.
Democrat Robert c. Fitz-I
gerald, Al, served more than
eight years as Fairfax-Falls
Church Commemorative at
torney. He resigned his post last
February to see his party's no.
mination to the Senate. Before
his election as commemorative
attorney in 1854 he was a Judge
in the County Court and Juv-
emile and Domestic Relations
Court.
Mr.. Fitzgerald has represent
ed Henrlco County, Virginia In
its recent court battle to stave
off an annexation attempt by
neighboring Richmond. His
duties in the case have required
frequent trips to Richmon d
and a number of absences from
campaign meetings in Fairfax.
Democratic leaders think the
absences did little harm to his
campaign, however. They point
out that Mr.. Fitzgerald led
field of four.
Hirst Elected in "a
His running mate, Omer L.
Hirst. 40, represented Fairfax
Falls Church in the Virginia
House of Delegates for three
terms. He was first elected in
1854. He retired in 1859 to de-
vote more time to his real es-
tate business in Annandale.
Mr.. Hirst served on the
House Roads Committee during
his entire term Of office. He
also was one of the two North
ern Virginia members on the
Virginia Commission on. Reds
tricting but did not go along
with the recommendations of
the majority because he felt
Northern Virginia served
more representation.
Although both Democrats
classify themselves as moderate
conservatives, they have In the
past drawn their support from
different wings of the party.
Mr.. Hirst has been favorite of
the more liberal members of
the party, while Mr.. Fitzgerald
has had the strong support of
more conservative elements.
Now they hope to unity the
party with the aim of succeed
ing retiring Democratic Incum-
bent John A. K. Donovan and
winning the second seat allo-
Gated to Fairfax-Falls Church
in the legislative reapportion-
ment last year.
One of their Republican
challengers, William H. Moss,
has also been long and deeply
involved in the areas problems
as an elected official.
Mr.. Moss, so, was elected to-
the Fairfax Board of County
Supervisors in 1855. He was the
first Republican ever elected as
its chairman in 1862. He is now
chairman of the National Capt.
tai Regional Planning Council.
Mr.. Moss, a land title eng
ineer in the District, is active
also in the League of Virginia
Counties, the National Associa-
ton of County Officials and
two Northern Virginia planning
and economic development
groups.
Unlike the Democrats, the
Republicans waste no words for