Why I am Running
I am not a professional politician, and I don’t intend to become one. I am a mother, an active citizen, a neighbor and a friend.
I am an optimist. I think we have a lot to look forward to. We live in the best country in the world. I am proud to be from Virginia, and I love my community. I moved into this district 26 years ago as a recent college graduate and have stayed in this district through several moves – from renting with college friends in Tysons Corner, to getting married and moving to Fairfax, and finally to building our forever home in Oakton.
I am running because I care about the future and it is very clear to me that we need change. Our schools are not safe and are failing our children by not focusing on important life skills like reading, writing, math, and the reward of hard work. Our taxes discourage enterprise and our government regulations discourage innovation.
I am running to bring some common sense back to our government and to get our priorities straight. I want safe schools, safe streets and safe neighborhoods. I want an education system that teaches our children how to think, not what to think. I want to lower the tax burden on working Virginians and create a pro-business environment where good, high paying jobs are created.
We are not going to get that if we elect another Northern Virginia Democrat. We are better served as Virginians when there is diversity of ideas to solve tough problems we are facing. There is currently no Republican representative from Fairfax County in the Virginia General Assembly. Fairfax County Republicans deserve a voice in Richmond.
That’s why I ask for your vote.
Candidate for House of Delegates for the 35th District
Recent Statements
On the National Merit Controversy:
As a graduate of FCPS and TJHSS&T, I am saddened and angry about the recent revelations that TJHSS&T, and at least two other area high schools, have withheld National Merit Commendations from students. Our children deserve better. Each child has their own talents, abilities, and challenges and our schools should be focusing on helping each child be the best they can be.
The definition of excellence for each child is different – and we should reward their hard work and celebrate their achievements. If our children don’t learn the value and reward of hard work and excellence, then they won’t be prepared to be productive in our future workforce.
On Abortion:
My opponent in the race for the house of Delegates recently published a mailer filled with untruths. As a long-time advocate for women, I would never support legislation to criminalize or jail women for abortions.
The abortion lobby tells women that abortion equals empowerment instead of working toward common sense bi-partisan legislation to provide support for women so they truly feel like they have choices. Being pro-life is about being pro-woman, pro-baby, and pro-love.
During this upcoming legislative session there will be a proposal to protect babies in the womb after 15-weeks. As a mother who has delivered 3 pre-term babies, I would support protecting babies after 15-weeks gestation. That is not an extreme position – advocating for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy is the extreme position (as advocated by REPRO Rising Virginia, who endorses my opponent).
About Me
I grew up in a military family but have lived in Virginia’s 35th District since 1996. I graduated from TJ High School for Science and Technology in 1992 and from the University of Virginia with a degree in Systems Engineering in 1996. I worked as a government contractor doing work for the US DoD, and for a small internet firm during the dot com boom of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. I have also run my own small LLC, and volunteered throughout the community. I was active in the PTA and as a parent volunteer at Oakton Elementary School and spent several years actively following the Fairfax County School Board and advocating for the rights of parents and children. I have been a volunteer with Divine Mercy Care since 2006 and on their Board since 2018.
I met my husband in engineering school at UVA and we have four living sons and two that watch over our family from heaven. My first pregnancy was an ectopic pregnancy in 2001 and my first-born son was born prematurely at 22-weeks gestation in 2002, on the 29th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. I have a son in college, two sons in high school, and a sixth grader. My sons have been active in Vienna youth sports playing baseball, soccer, basketball, football and rugby and are Boys Scouts in Vienna, Va.
I have participated in amateur sports throughout my life, mainly running and synchronized swimming. My parents taught me the value of hard work and a good education and encouraged me to be as comfortable behind my sewing machine as I am behind a miter saw. I am constantly trying new things and have learned never to say, “I can’t”. I look forward to representing you in Virginia’s General Assembly.
Vote January 10th, 2023
Early voting November 23-January 7
Visit the Fairfax County Department of Elections for details.
Is this My District?
You can also visit https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov to see if you live in the 35th District.
To Donate by Mail
To donate by mail, please make checks payable to:
“Friends of Monique Baroudi” and mail to:
P.O. Box 3721, Oakton, VA, 22124
Contact Me
I would love to hear from you. Please let me know if you want to be added to my volunteer list, have a yard sign delivered to your house or want to join my email list for campaign updates. I can be reached at [email protected] or 703-677-8676.