The Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia (DWCNV) hosted a fundraiser for John Foust, the Democratic Candidate for the Virginia 10th Congressional District, on Saturday, Sept. 20.

The event, which drew about 50 people to the Clifton home of Terry Matlaga and Kevin Bell, included many Democratic notables, including Virginia Senators George Barker (D-39), Dave Marsden (D-37) and Chap Petersen (D-34), Del. David Bulova (D-37) and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D-at-large).

Jane Barker, Chair of the DWCNV, noted that the last fundraiser the group held was in 2005, the year the organization was formed.

“We feel so strongly that we need Supervisor John Foust to represent Democrats, Republicans, and Independents that we decided to host a fundraiser to help him win his election,” Barker said.

State Senator George Barker gave an entertaining history lesson about the ever-changing boundaries of the 10th district during the event.

“You may have heard about the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years? Well, that’s us. Jane and I moved here in 1980….and our district’s boundaries kept changing. Every time we would elect a Democrat, we got redistricted into (Republican territory),” Barker joked.

Sen. Barker told the crowd that the modern 10th congressional district was formed in 1952.

“So, we haven’t had an open seat in this district since 1952. Electing John Foust is our best chance of getting a Democrat back in the 10th district in a generation,” Barker said.

During the event, Foust was presented with a 3-D puzzle of the Capitol building, and a model of the Capitol dome made from chocolate. “It doesn’t get sweeter than this,” Foust said.

“We all put the puzzle together. The idea is that ‘every vote counts,’ and each of us has a piece in helping him get elected,” Jane Barker said.

For more information on the Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia (DWCNV), email cliftonwomendems@aol.com or visit the DWCNV website at www.democraticwomenofclifton.org. Meetings are held on Sundays from 3 - 5 pm in the Clifton Community Hall.

— Victoria Ross