Politics & Government

'Rip' Sullivan Enters Race to Replace Del. Bob Brink in Arlington's 48th District

McLean resident throws his hat in the ring for special election.

Richard C. “Rip” Sullivan, Jr. of McLean announced Monday his candidacy to replace retiring Del. Bob Brink (D-48th) in the Virginia House of Delegates. Brink is accepting a position with the McAuliffe administration.

It is unclear when Gov. McAuliffe will call special elections to fill the remaining 18 months of the term, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. 

Sullivan was a Democratic candidate for the 34th District in 2007 but lost the primary to Margaret "Margi" Vanderhye, who served for one term before she was defeated by Republican Barbara Comstock.

Sullivan released the following statement:

“Last week Northern Virginia lost one of our most respected voices in the General Assembly. Bob Brink has served the 48th House of Delegates district with honor and distinction since 1998, and I’ve been proud to call him my Delegate. I’m confident he’ll continue to do great things for the Commonwealth in the McAuliffe administration.”

“Our next Delegate must be an effective voice for our shared progressive values of equality and opportunity. I was honored to serve as President of Legal Services in Northern Virginia, which promotes social justice by providing free legal services to low-income residents. I fought to hold businesses accountable on the Fairfax Consumer Protection Commission and to ensure affordable housing on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Now I’m running for Delegate to fight the Tea Party Republicans trying to roll back social and economic progress in Virginia.”

“Northern Virginia is where Beth and I chose to raise our family. We both grew up and attended public schools here, and I received my law degree from the University of Virginia. As a Delegate, I would apply my extensive experience in Northern Virginia housing, transportation, education and legal policy to help even the playing field and fight for our Democratic values.”

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Rip and his wife, Beth, have four children, all of whom attend or graduated from public schools in Northern Virginia. Now that his children are older, Rip has graduated from the role of chauffeur, but still enjoys watching them play sports. On Saturday mornings you can find him volunteering as the announcer for his son's swim team.

Sullivan has launched a campaign website at: www.RipSullivanForDelegate.com.

Sullivan has served on numerous local and statewide boards and commissions. Sullivan earned his law degree in 1987 from the University of Virginia, and is currently a partner at the law firm of Reed Smith.

His experience includes:

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  • United States Institute of Peace International Advisory Council Member
  • Fairfax County Park Authority Board
  • Adjunct Professor at the George Mason University School of Law
  • Virginia Bar Association, former Member of the Board of Governors
  • Legal Services of Northern Virginia, former Board Member and President
  • McLean Community Foundation, President
  • Potomac Legal Aid Society, former Board Member
  • Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at UVA, Board Member
  • Virginia State Bar Emergency Legal Services Task Force, Chairman
  • Dranesville Budget Task Force, Chair
  • Fairfax County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, former Vice-Chair
  • Fairfax Transportation Advisory Commission, former member
  • Virginia Commission on Civics Education, former member
  • Fairfax Consumer Protection Commission, former member
  • Virginia Super Lawyers, awarded 2006 and 2014


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