It’s time to stop lying about Mizusawa’s residency
By JR Hoeft | Friday, May 28th, 2010 | PoliticsBert Mizusawa, candidate for the 2nd Congressional District Republican nomination, has been attacked for not living in the district. The attacks are false.
Mizusawa grew up in the 2nd District.
After high school, he joined the military and has had an impressive career, which has included not only being a recipient of the Silver Star and a decorated combat veteran, but advancing to Brigadier General in the Army Reserves.
In the interim, he also attended Harvard Law School and was a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He has lived a very full and busy life, but he has never forgotten his roots.
That’s why in March 2009, he returned to Hampton – his home – to start his business.
As anyone who is even remotely affiliated with government realizes, your career can take you to many far flung places; educational opportunities – such as being able to attend West Point and Harvard – don’t come along to everyone in the Commonwealth; and job opportunities, such as being able to serve the people of this country through working in the Senate, don’t come along every day either.
But after this already full career Bert Mizusawa came home.
He came home to build his business and now wants to continue his career of service by representing the 2nd in Congress.
The current congressman, Glenn Nye, barely lived a year in the district (and even that was questionable) after returning home from DC and his service abroad with the State Department. And, while I disagree with some of his policies, Nye has hardly been “out of touch” with the district. If fact, he is going to be very tough to beat because of his effectiveness in the district.
The bottom-line is that Mizusawa is a resident of the district, has been here more than a year, grew up in the district, has grown his business in the district, and now wants to serve the district.
Anyone who doesn’t see that as commitment is an idiot…but if they do, yet they attack anyway, that should tell you a lot about the type of person they are and their politics.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
We're 75% there! Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed! Just $2000 to go!
Comments
53 Responses to "It’s time to stop lying about Mizusawa’s residency"
Don’t his wife and kids live in NOVA? I think that’s the real issue. Nobody doubts that he owns a house in Hampton and I think nobody doubts that he’s dedicated to the district. But it’s weird, in my opinion, to be SO dedicated to a district and yet not create a home for your family in it.
Thanks for clarifying to your sizable audience, J.R.
Thanks J.R.. This fact was cleared up for me several weeks ago and had to apologize on this BD for my inaccuracy of what had been told to me. Burt is a fine man with incredible credentials.
Well, that sets that to rest. Unfortunately, there are those that try to specify unnecessary requirements that are inconsistent with State Board of Elections. There are no residential requirements to run for a Virginia Congressional District other than being a Virginian resident. To infer that one is not a bonafide candidate because of their Virginia residence locale is misleading, but a vile attempt to pull the wool over the electorate’s eyes.
Bearing Drift:
This is all public information, and took me about 30 minutes to find, so I’m a bit curious why you haven’t done your homework.
#1: Bert’s house in Hampton is NOT owned by him. It’s a rental. 1273 N. King Street. The property value is assessed at $134,000 according to land records. Not a very nice area of town, you can look it up on googlemaps and use street view. According to BD, this is his home and residence and where he lives.
#2: Bert’s house in NOVA in Fairfax (5847 Aspen Wood Court, Mclean, Va) is assessed at over $1 Million Dollars. A VERY nice home, look it up on google maps. But according to BD, he doesn’t really live there.
#3: Bert has admitted publicly his wife lives in DC as an attorney, and his children attend Fairfax Public Schools. But according to BD he really doesn’t live there.
#4: Bert’s company is listed on the State Corporation Commission website as having a business address as…… 5847 Aspen Wood Court in NOVA. This is also what he lists as his primary source of his income. So his business and principled source of income is run out of a house in NOVA……. but according to BD he really doesn’t live there.
#5: Bert has donated in political campaigns for over 10+ years, mostly Republicans (but he did donate to liberal Democratic Senator Jack Reed). Every single donation listed on the FEC and VPAP website lists his hometown as McLean, Virginia. Between 1999 and 2009 Bert listed is 5847 Aspen Wood Court Address as his home address. It makes sense, in fact even today if you go to http://www.whitepages.com and type in Bert Mizusawa under McLean, VA it comes up. (But not if you type in Bert Mizusawa under Hampton Va, NOTHING). He did donate to George Allen, Jim Gilmore, George Bush, and consistently listed 5847 Aspen Wood Court as his home address. In the fall of 2009 he donated to multiple candidates locally, but again on VPAP he lists his home address as 5847 Aspen Wood Court in Northern Virginia.
The ONLY time under the FEC that Bert Mizusawa ever listed an address other than his McLean, Va address was his donation in October of 2009 to his own political campaign for Congress. What was the address listed? A PO Box in Hampton, Virginia. Funny thing, on the same FEC report, his WIFE donated to his campaign for congress, also in October of 2009. His wife listed her address as……. 5847 Aspen Wood Court in Northern Virginia.
OK, OK, he really does live in a house in Hampton assessed at $134,000 rather than his $1 Million home in Northern Virginia.
But how do you explain that just three months AFTER he lists his address on the FEC Report as a PO Box in Hampton, Virginia, he donated to the Scott Brown for US Senate campaign in January of 2010 (just 4 months ago) Guess what home address he listed on the FEC Report for his Scott Brown Donation just FOUR months ago?……………………That’s right, 5847 Aspen Wood Court, McLean, Virginia.
So, in the court of 4 months, according to the FEC, he went from having a residence as a PO Box in Hampton, to in January sending in a donation to Scott Brown where his residence is listed as McLean, Virginia.
But I guess we are all “lying” about his residence. I thought blogs were supposed to do some investigating. This is all public information.
For him to state that he currently lives in Hampton, in a home that is rented, that is valued at $130,000 and he doesn’t live in his a $1 Million home in McLean where his business (and principled source of income) is also listed as its main business address isn’t being honest with voters in the 2nd District.
One word: devastating.
Wow, that is even WORST than I was told or thought. I was under the impression that he at least actually owned a home in Hampton, but the fact us the “house” he is renting is a shack!
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Danielplainview, 1273 N King Street is owned by George and Theodora Mizusawa, probably Bert’s parents. I do wonder if they make him pay rent though.
My father worked in N.J. for two years, while his wife and kids lived in a different state due to schools and my mother’s job. He came home most weekends, but not all. If you’d asked him where he lived at the time, he undeniably would’ve told you he lived- unhappily- in N.J.
One additonal question I would ask is “does he have a business license in Hampton and when was it issued”.
I don’t have any issue with someone who lived here for only a year and deciding to run. But I am not a big fan of carpetbaggers. I bought property back in my hometown in Pennsylvania several years ago with the intent of returning, but that has yet to happen. But I don’t call myself a resident of PA. But if he had the intent to return home as I did, I would give him the benefit of the doubt. However, comparing home values and the possibility it is a rental, and the timing, it appears the only reason he has a home in the 2nd district is to become a Congressman. If it smells like a …
@Danielplainview – Interesting…the Hampton Assessors’ office reports that Bert and his wife own a $250,000 home in Hampton on Zilber Ct, and have since 1994.
Doing dirty work for one of Bert’s opponents?
@Captain, I can hear the rodents scurrying now!
Why are the Rigellites descending? Because voters (not just us poli-geeks) are starting to pay attention … support for Bert is exploding – especially after his Tony Macrini interview this morning … and Rigell has already dumped over $1.3 MILLION dollars of his own cash into the race (wait …$445K is C4C money, so I guess we could say OUR cash??). With that kinda dough on the table, I’m expecting ugly – with a big “U” – as folks choose substance over flash and Rigell’s store-bought “lead” diminishes. I vote for honest, transparent, home-grown, self-made, and Über qualified ~GO BERT!
Bert’s next radio ad could just be, “I’m Bert Mizusawa, and I’m not a car salesman.”
ps) He’s the only candidate who grew up in the district and went to high school here! This IS his home- this is where his lifelong friends are!
I always love it when someone with a pseudonym dons the cloth of righteous indignation.
danielplainview – trust me, I have the truth. I know the evidence. I have documents.
I stand by my post.
If you really have a problem with Bert, why don’t you ask him yourself at his campaign HQ in Virginia Beach. I’m sure he’d be happy to discuss this with you.
Truly, this line of attack is deplorable.
Get em JR, get em!!
JR,
I would like you to address why Bert listed his home address for his Scott Brown donation in January of THIS year as in Northern Virginia.
I went to the FEC and checked it out and “danielplainview” is right.
If he lived here and not NOVA, why did he say his home was there on the FEC report in January?
And why is he in Hampton now if it seems that all other documentation is in Fairfax? Why is he separated from his family?
JR, you accuse people of lying, but I went to the fec website and mr.plain view is right on the fec donations
J.R.
I’m new to your blog here but it seems to me that your readers would be well served in a discussion like this if the poster would disclose if they are a paid campaign worker. This gives us perspective and allows us to filter the info accordingly.
BTW I heard Mr Mizusawa on Tony Macrini this morning. I think he may be overqualified, LOL. What a wonderful asset to our corner of VA he will be if he is elected. Whoa. Amazing.
And I don’t work for any campaign.
Bert for Senate!
How unrepublican the attacks on Bert are. We have yet another accomplished conservative of better than average character demonized by.. republicans? .. the opposition to the democratic party?
re·pub·li·can
1.Of, relating to, or characteristic of a republic.
2.Favoring a republic as the best form of government.
3.Relating to, characteristic of, or belonging to the Republican Party of the United States.
What would Ron Reagan, Thomas Jefferson and Abe Lincoln say? And Karen Hurd for that matter..
Daniel Not-so-Plainview,
I’ve been dormant for a while, but this cheap shot just can’t be left alone.
I’ve known Bert since 1973 when we met at high school here in the district. I’m not a paid member of his campaign, but I clearly recognize that he is — by far — the most eminently-qualified candidate in this race. Mizusawa is, arguably, the best-qualified freshman face anywhere in the nation. Stack your guy up against him on the merits of his qualifications and experience and then see how you feel about your candidate.
Not hard to see through your thin veil.
You did ALL that “research” in “about 30 minutes”? Perhaps when I get ready for my dissertation, you can spare 45 minutes to knock out the research for me. Unlike your post, I promise to acknowledge your assistance in my endnotes.
Try looking up the words meretricious and specious next time you are researching. It’s obvious you are a hitman for Rigell.
Unfortunately, you were not standing there like I was when Rigell offered to General Mizusawa that, if the Silver Star and Bronze Star recipient considered dropping out of the race — if the 1st-in-his-West-Point Class/Harvard Law/Kennedy School MacArthur fellow stepped aside — if the former Senate staffer/Finance Lawyer/Army General pulled out . . . well, I heard the most-generous Mr. Freedom Ford say — and this is a quote “I’ll be looking for a good military advisor.”
Makes you wonder why the governor cited Scott’s military experience as a reason for endorsing him when — perhaps your research can clarify — the guy worked in a Marine Corps reserve motor pool for a handful of years, never deployed anywhere outside the US and never received a single significant award or decoration for his not-so-distinguished service.
Perhaps you and your slime-mongerers might provide better service to the electorate by doing some REAL research for the voters.
[portion moderated by J.R. at the request of the Mizusawa campaign]
Look, personally, Scott Rigell is a nice guy. But, when it comes to these desperate times for our party and the nation, we REALLY need to think about things: When times are this bad, we need to send the BEST. That’s Mizusawa, hands down.
Scott Rigell is an empty suit and a full wallet — not much more. He offers absolutely nothing to the party (other than money) which would otherwise distinguish him from the flawed leadership we have had in the past which failed us and helped usher in the debacle we now face. Nice guy. No original ideas. No ability to get much done.
Bert Mizusawa is the REAL deal. The home-in-the-district NON-issue is stupid. Can you find something that voters really care about? He has a nice home where his wife and kids live, he has a nice home here in Hampton and he has two average campaign headquarters — the King Street building in Hampton and the office in Virginia Beach. I’ve been to his Hampton Campaign office on King Street that you want to pretend is his residence. Have you? I’ve been to his house at Zilber Court. Have you? Look, Dannyboy, if you can blindly let go of the massive ethical and substantive failings of Scott Rigell enough to admire him and speak glowingly of him, perhaps the next time you two coordinate a weak hitjob like this, you’ll be kind enough to pass on that if HE decides he’s spent enough money demonstrating what a strong fiscal conservative he is and does the right thing and drops out of this race, the general will be looking for someone to schedule his sedan.
LE,
You come perilously close to slander and libel in that comment, something that merits deletion and censure from moderators (indeed, if Rigell’s people email us in the morning, it will be deleted) While you may feel you’re helping Bert, personal, unsubstantiated attacks on a candidate as well as on his character is despicable, but especially reflects poorly on your lifelong friend that you support. Bert has run a positive campaign thus far, and while you may not work for the campaign you certainly will be associated with it, much like you falsely associated ‘Daniel’ with Rigell’s (supporter is not campaign staff).
No one has ever question Bert’s credentials or qualifications. Ever. No one with even half a brain ever would. Daniel’s comments were to the validity of Bert’s address, and no cheap shots, personal attacks or slander. Your remarks were severely over the line and uncalled for.
LE, you owe ‘Daniel’, Rigell and most especially Bert an apology for your overzealous and ill-advised remarks. I assure you, they are not helping anyone.
Meow! Let me quick get a screen capture before comments get censored.
I am sure Burt did not authorize LE’s comments. Burt is far too classy for that! One of the things I have appreciated about Burt is he HAS run a very positive campaign.
Kathy,
Yes, Bert (with an “e”), is far too classy for that. In fact, upon waking up this morning, I was alerted to LE’s comment by the Mizusawa campaign. They requested that the comment be deleted.
I decided not to delete the entire comment, but moderate where I thought LE went over the line.
As always, BD welcomes comments that are constructive to the discussion and contributions of facts that can be backed up with evidence.
There will be one final debate on Freedom 1650 on Thursday morning hosted by Steve Batton.
Guess who will and won’t be there? Must be an Urban League breakfast that morning.
BERT. Sorry for the miss-spelling. Embarrassing!
Why can’t anyone answer why Bert’s January 2010 Donation to Scott Brown lists his home address as in McLean Virginia?
Bryan,
It’s because of how he has his personal finances structured. I really don’t think you need to know more than that. I’m just glad the donation was to a Republican candidate.
JR: What does that mean? His personal finance structured?
Bert’s wife, kids and business are in NOVA. Those are facts, no one can dispute them.
He now claims he lives in Hampton, but WHY?
Because right now the only reason I can find that he lives in Hampton is he came here from NOVA to run for Congress.
It’s not honest for him to stand up as part of his stump speech and say “I’m home” when his home, business, wife, and kids are in Fairfax.
JR,
Not surprised Mizusawa asked for my post to be taken down. The moderation you provided with your edit is exactly that — moderation. I applaud it.
For the record, no one authorizes and, unlike most of the garbage certain campaigns foist on us through proxies, NO ONE pre-screens my comments. I’m a voter with a voice and a keyboard. I know Bert personally and have spoken with (one-on-one) each and every candidate in this race.
Bert has definitely run a positive campaign. For months, Rigell has gotten a “pass” and a “wink wink” on things that otherwise should have gotten a modicum of scrutiny. It parallels what happened when Obama ran for office and the GAP (Great American Public) wished away Obama’s inexperience or leftist connections. Look at what we’ve gotten by ignoring those concerns. It’s just plain dangerous to the party and to the voters.
DJ, FWIW, it’s only “perilously close to libel and slander” if it’s baseless. Sadly for our electorate, there was not a single significant issue identified that was without foundation. Other than the comment about something in the whisper channels, I am wholly confident every item listed was a legitimate, verifiable concern. If I was worried about legal repurcussions, I guess I could hide at the candidate forums because Rigell won’t be there.
That’s the problem you and all the other drones have — you want to wish facts away. The moderated list of issues are the same ones that keep our collective sphincters ratcheted shut when we mull over the prospect of Rigell’s candidacy. It’s also patently clear who you’re supporting, DJ, so if I need any of your lip, I know where to find it.
You’ll get an apology, if one is merited, after we voters get some answers. I will, however, retract — and even apologize to Mr. Rigell (and his wife) — for including unsubstantiated and speculative commentary from the “whisper” network. It’s wasn’t fair and really should have been relegated to the Enquirer file drawer.
Other than that, though, there wasn’t a single part of my post that was without foundation. Apparently, Rigell will again be absent at the next (and last candidate forum while you guys hold your collective breath since June 8th still seems pretty far away.
Eyes wide open here.
No “wink wink” here.
Happy Memorial Day to all veterans. God bless America.
All I know about facts is I go to http://www.vpap.org and you type Mizusawa under contributors and it brings him up as his hometown as “McLean” which is FAIRFAX.
It also lists his business as “Paxcentric, Inc.”
If you then go to the State Corporation Commission website and look up the business place of address it’s listed to the same address the “plainview” person listed as his home.
So, if as JR says, his donation in January listed his home address as in NOVA, and he did so because of how his “finances” were structured, what changed.
I looked on fec website, indeed he did donate in October of 2009 and listed his home address as a PO BOx in Hampton.
What changed with his “personal finances” that caused him to go from NOVA to Hampton and then back to NOVA?
On VPAP it has him donating to Villenueva $1000; on 10/26/2009 — address is McLean (NOVA). The SAME MONTH that his donation to his OWN campaign he lists his address as the Hampton PO Box.
Then 4 months later in January of 2010 his address goes back to the same McLean (NOVA) address.
SO WHAT IS GOING ON IN HIS PERSONAL FINANCES THAT HIS HOME ADDRESS JUMPS AROUND SO MUCH.
These are facts, indeed, and took zilch time to figure it out.
Facts, as they say are stubborn things.
Bryan – what you wrote doesn’t dismiss the fact that he lives here, has his business here, grew up here, graduated high school from here.
So what if he doesn’t want to change his credit card address, is that so terrible?
Seriously, if you have that big of concern, you really should go talk to him instead of trying to play some stupid gotcha game.
LE,
My concern was not for Rigell so much as it was for Bert. There’s a reason their campaign asked for deletion and not Rigell’s. And unfortunately, posing questions without fact or merit is slander, thankfully it’s been resolved.
Confusing me as a ‘drone’ would be false, as I’ve repeatedly said, I’m in firm support of Bert and Rigell. Either of those would be happy, and I’ll defend them all the way to primary day, each of them equally. My response to you was out of concern of both, Rigell for your remarks without fact to back them up (posting rumors is not fact, if you have information you’re welcome to share it openly) and Bert for the erroneous association individuals would make between you and he.
My support comes June 9th, for Bert or Rigell, whoever the nominee turns out to be. I don’t live in the 2nd district so my support matters little until that day as it is. Until that day, I’ll readily defend either of them.
And you don’t owe me an apology sir.
Bryan,
Leave it be. It’s a non-issue anyway. Has VP reported it once? WaPo? Roll Call? CQ? Anyone? No. It’s not a legitimate campaign issue. We’re fine with Chuck Smith living in the 2nd but representing the 3rd, and Morgan Griffith living in the 6th but representing the 9th. I’m no hypocrite.
JR: If his business is here, why does the State Corporation website lists its principled address as 5847 Aspen Wood Court?
LE: If the address that is N. King Street is being used as his campaign HQ and not where he is registered to vote then he is using a property zoned RESIDENTIAL for commercial use.
In order to use property zoned RESIDENTIAL he needs to go in front of the Hampton Planning Commission. I have a sneaky feeling that did not happen.
So now you are telling us his supposed Hampton Campaign HQ is violating Hampton Zoning laws?
Bryan,
It’s not mine to answer for the Mizusawa campaign. I’ve seen the data and heard the explanations and am good with it.
You can make it an issue all you want, but it’s just going to reflect upon you and not the candidate. If you’re not even willing to pick up the phone or walk down to their campaign HQ and ask, that’s your problem, not theirs, and certainly not mine.
Regardless, it’s moot because there is no residency requirement to run for Congress. I can’t prove it – yet – but I have a sneaking suspicion that you are getting paid to make comments here.
DJ, do you really use the Pilot or the Post to decide what campaigns should be about?
Of course not. However, the lack of any reporting from any medium proves what we all know, it’s not a viable issue.
Or they’d like to save it for November
Bryan R, his campaign headquarters is located on Independence Blvd., in VA Beach, not in Hampton.
JR, “it’s moot because there is no residency requirement to run for Congress.”???
Do you still maintain that Bert is a resident? Maybe it is moot to you, but residency does count with me.
I like Bert quite a bit. I even posted some of his qualifications a long while back, I believe. I don’t mind so much his having multiple homes, and some out of the district, but I am concerned now that you may have changed your arguement from, his being a resident to it doesn’t matter because the law doesn’t require it. Can you clarify your position? Was that just an additional comment above your assertion that Bert Mizusawa is a 2nd district resident?
Residence does matter to me and others, some using the words “carpet bagger”. If I lived in New York, I wouldn’t have appreciated Hillary running for Senate back then.
As pointed out by DJ, the law doesn’t forbid Chuck Smith from running in the third even though he lives in the 2nd district and evidently doesn’t have any home in the 3rd. However, I’m sure that lack of residency will be used against Mr. Smith by both the Libertarian James Quigley and Democrat Bobby Scott.
I appreciate the consistency from DJ. I also will do so. I will with consistency, state that residence within the district is a needed qualification above what is required by law. It is my view that you can become too detached and that you don’t have ownership in your representation if you “represent” from a totally different district.
For those of you wondering, I hold an unpaid position in the James Quigley for Congress campaign (3rd district). Also, although I frequently support Republican candidates, I am a member of the Tidewater Libertarian Party, and view myself as part of the Tea Party movement. Additionally affecting my views and posts is my desire to bring fiscal conservatism and smaller government back to America. Therefore, I’m probably going to support those that I see as being “true believers” that want to dismantle all the socialist damage that the Obama administration has wrought upon the USA. I don’t care for your sterotypical double talking politician that speaks one way and compromises everything while allegedly representing us.
An idiot? Really? Someone wondering and looking for a reasonable, believable, accurate explanation of where a candidate lives is an idiot? That’s a little strong. Maybe thy doth protest too much. You sound like Obama – I will say this strongly and thus it will be so. It doesn’t work that way. Besides, the voters will decide in 8 days who they want. Whether Bert lives in Hampton is irrelevant to people in VB, Norfolk or the Shore. Bert and Ben are dividing the small cooky, anti-establishment vote in the party – the Wally Erbs and the Kenny Goldens…Rigell is fine.
“My name is Bert Mizusawa, I am a soldier, I am home, and I would be extremely honored to serve as your congressman.” You can watch the video, if anyone is interesting in facts (hearing the candidate’s actual statement), rather than spin, ON THE FIRST PAGE of his website. http://bertmizusawa.com/
General Mizusawa IS a soldier coming home to the district where he was raised. I find it incredulous in a region teeming with transplants (including but not limited to military retirees, families, and active duty personnel), that certain BD posters appear totally ignorant of military and mobile family life, the sacrifices required, and why a physical structure (‘residence’) is not always the same as ‘home’.
Oh, wait, I get it – you’re “grateful for his service”, but call him a “carpetbagger” if he wants to serve as your Congressman????!! What a bloated bag of hypocritical dung.
Britt,
I just don’t know what to say.
He’s a resident. He’s loyal. He’s been serving his country for years.
And, on this Memorial Day, people still choose to question his integrity.
Go figure. It’s you who will have to look yourselves in the mirror.
I am going to wade in. I do not question Mizusawa’s residency qualification, but then again I did not strongly question Nye’s either.
In my opinion, Mizusawa would serve as a fine Republican candidate who might tempt my vote away from Nye. (For the record, I have already cast my vote and my vote went for Jessica.)
However watching the polls, and polishing off my crystal ball, I think my vote is going for Nye in November.
J.R., Memorial day is for those deceased. Veteran’s Day is for those still alive.
JR, thank you for the clarification. If he’s a resident then Bert might be my top pick. I really like the guy and his qualifications speak for themselves.
Yes, I do try to give some slack in the case of current military/government service. “Home” isn’t where your orders are. Sometimes “home” can change though, which is why I guess many of us had questions as to where Bert’s “Home” is.
Jay D & JR, I understand your frustration at having to deal with the residency question and maybe some people have made something out of nothing. That said, residency is a real concern for some, which is probably why opposing operatives would be tempted to take advantage of a confusing situation involving multiple homes. Keep in mind, some of us are just wading through all the information and trying to determine what is accurate and then determining preference based on that. Informed decision making isn’t always easy when operatives for or against throw in all kinds of BS to muddy the water. Don’t blame us for wanting to make sure a candidate is “invested” in the well being of the district beyond wanting to be their congressman. Some of us just want to know. Maybe I’ll get a chance to talk to bert about it personally at some point. Who knows?
Thanks for your response.
The issue isn’t that Bert doesn’t meet the residency requirements, its about his wife and kids.
I’m sure Bert loves them very much, but it begs the question of what made him decide to move down to Hampton while leaving his kids in the DC area.
Given Bert’s stellar record, I would hope everyone agrees that he left them to hopefully serve his country in Congress.
The average person may see that as a shady, but you have to realize Bert is a military guy. Leaving his family for an extended period to serve his country isn’t something that out of the ordinary for him to do.
For the record, I proudly and unabashedly support Bert Mizusawa who, in my opinion, is peerless in this race. I do not speak for the candidate; I am not a paid staffer or paid volunteer for his campaign. http://vbdems.org/2010/05/sophies-next-paycheck/
I have watched the primary since early April, attended forums and candidate events, and made my personal choice by listening to each candidate – not the PR spin or hype. I admire many and am grateful for their courage and commitment – and have expressed such to several at various events. Understanding the primary is a necessary (and important) vetting process, my growing frustration and disgust is with the Rigell campaign, who move far beyond the ‘relevant’ to imply Bert abandons his family by working very hard to meet and listen to D2 voters. Anyone that attended the Star Spangled Ball (including Scott Rigell, staff & supporters) met Yvonne Mizusawa, who is intelligent, talented, and supports Bert completely in his commitment to serve … knows the veiled insinuations are bogus.
Residency, accessibility, and commitment are fair questions …as are transparency, trust, accountability, honesty, integrity, fortitude, talent, ability, qualifications, and past performance. Apparently Bert has two homes – one in the district and one in DC. He will do as Thelma Drake, Randy Forbes, and every other representative; he’ll commute back and forth between D2 and DC.
I, too, am older and quite cynical, having endured enough politicians (on both sides of the aisle) that make great speeches and promises, get elected, and we later suffer because of their incompetence, lack of spine, and deal making. I no longer choose candidates based on promises made; I look at records of past performance and usually find all I need to judge character, values, talent, ability, accomplishments and qualifications – or lack there of – within a candidate’s resume and life history. If D2 is smart enough to elect Bert, I have no doubt he will deliver equal energy, talent, and dedication he’s given to EVERY other commitment and challenge undertaken since graduating first in class at West Point. I have zero worries about him being ‘invisible’ or unavailable to the voters. Mediocre is not in this man’s DNA.
John Ball, really? I never had a problem with his wife and children living there. It did however, serve as evidence along with other items some put up to question his residency. Given her career and a desire to be closer to Bert, living up there was a logical choice.
Often when people move back home, it isn’t done right away. You at least let the kids finish the school year etc. Who knows what career factors are in play with Mrs. Mizusawa.
My issue is a greedy one. I want to be assured that BERT is a resident. HE is the one running for the priviledge to represent the 2nd. It is BERT Mizusawa that needs to have an invested ownership in the 2nd district(beyond candidacy). None of that necessarily applies to his wife and children. I am sure they will work out family issues on their own schedule rather than yours or anyone elses.
At this point, I’m satisfied. I want people of that caliber to run for office here in the 2nd.
Wow….I’m impressed. The ONLY issue the opposition is able to come up with is RESIDENCY????
You would think living in an area with a large military population it would be understood that those who serve their country sacrifice home for service.
I first learned about Bert Mizusawa several years ago when I interviewed him while doing research for a book on the Cold War, and after several interviews, I have come to know and appreciate his many talents, and can enthusiastically endorse his candidacy. I will admit that I am not thoroughly conversant on all of the issues that face Virginia’s voters, but I’ve learned from experience that it is wiser to vote on the candidate and not the issues, as circumstances and stands on issues may change, but character is a constant. I believe that what Virginia needs, what Congress needs, what the Nation needs is leadership, as the future appears to be challenging us to move in new directions. What then are the essential qualities of leadership?
A leader should have experience in a variety of venues; Bert Mizusawa has proven successful in private industry, in the military and in government.
A leader should/must have a working knowledge of the military and national defense; Bert Mizusawa is a combat veteran and decorated soldier who rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the US Army, was a professional civilian staff member for the Senate Armed Services Committee and was a MacArthur Fellow at Harvard’s Center for Science and International Affairs. As a special assistant to Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, he was involved in the transition and return of the canal to Panama.
A leader should be educated. Bert Mizusawa has a Bachelors of Science from the U.S. Military Academy, a Master in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School. He also has earned a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
A leader should have an understanding of, and a respect for the law. Bert Mizusawa is a Harvard-trained lawyer who has been admitted to the bars in New York and Washington, D.C.
A leader should have an understanding of business and budgets. Bert Mizusawa has served as the president of PaxCentric, Inc., a consulting firm and as president of a
technology firm.
A leader should demonstrate excellence. Like Douglas MacArthur and Wesley Clark, Bert Mizusawa graduated first in his class at West Point and has spent a life dedicated to public service.
A leader should have the courage to do what’s right. Bert Mizusawa was awarded the Silver Star for his rescue, under fire, of a Soviet Defector while commanding troops in the Korean DMZ on November 23, 1984, and has deployed to both Afghanistan in 2005 and Iraq in 2006, serving as Deputy to the Commanding General, Multinational Corps in Baghdad. He leads from the front.
Bert Mizusawa is precisely the type of individual that is needed in the Congress. Honest, ethical and not afraid to take a risk to do what is right. Now the voters of Virginia have the opportunity to do what’s right and elect Bert Mizusawa to the United States Congress.
As opposed to who else?
Bert’s extended family has lived in Hampton since the 1970′s. He has lived in many places pursuing his military and business careers and many years of education. He identifies himself as a Hampton native, and rightly so, always returning to his roots here.
Bert also has a house in Northern Virginia, that’s obvious and that location would be handy if he is elected. Congressmen tend to have several houses, one in the DC area and one in their District. Why not focus on what Bert can do to represent our area effectively, and how he would be a stronger candidate to challenge Nye than Mr. Rigell? Bert’s background, a combination of military and business leadership and success appears to me to be much better qualifications for a Congressman to represent us than his challengers have. Let’s elect Bert to defeat Nye and we will have a very capable Congressman who can be effective in promoting the needs of our region.
Tim J…..
It would be rude not to answer your question.
As opposed to ANYONE else in the race. Bert Mizusawa for Congress.
He has a PROVEN record of excellence that will stack up against anyone running. Give him a chance and see what he can do.
Does anyone have the address of the property that Bert owns in Hampton? Or better yet, a link to property records. I do not show him owning any property in Hampton. I specifically looked up Zilber Court as well and I can’t find anything.
Many thanks for this article. I will also like to mention that it can be hard when you are in school and merely starting out to establish a long credit score. There are many students who are just simply trying to make it and have a long or good credit history can often be a difficult element to have.
Leave your response