Del. Sal Iaquinto: Accountable

Those looking for the path the Republican Party should take for any rebound from recent Democrat victories need to look no further than the 84th district. Del. Sal Iaquinto is racking up points by excelling at what used to be considered the basics – responsiveness to constituents, crafting legislation that helps and protects, keeping voters informed, and doing the right things.

Sal’s bill to put ignition interlock on DUI convicts(HB2041). Sal’s bill prohibiting sales of recalled children’s toys (HB2039). These bills don’t get the headlines that smoking bans and aid to felons who can’t fill out a one page application will get, but Iaquinto’s efforts are in some ways more significant. They help everyone to be a little safer and whose success is judged indirectly, by bad things happening less.

Sal doesn’t want credit. He just wants to help. Read what he wrote in his latest email to his district about lobbyists and gifts.

“Along with a handful of other legislators from around the commonwealth, I claimed zero reportable gifts last year. Some of you have asked whether this was a concerted effort on my part. As you can imagine, all of us in Richmond have plenty of opportunities throughout the year to accept travel expenses, dinners, and other such offers. I am not questioning others’ judgment in this regard, as these can be valuable learning and relationship-building opportunities.”

“However, I have come to a decision that for me, these offers were not great enough to justify any question from you, my constituents. My greatest hope and goal is that whether we always agree on policy issues or not, you will find me to be both accountable and transparent in the way I run my office. Now, if any of you would like to invite me to a community coffee or picnic to talk with you about issues important to you and your neighbors, that’s an offer I would readily accept!”

Politics is much better than the reputation it has. There are others like Sal who represent their district, work hard, raise a family and just plain do the right things for the right reasons. Maybe if voters knew more about people like Sal, the reputation of politics would be a lot better.

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About the author

Brian Kirwin

The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.