Muñoz, Frederick Speak of Platforms in Forum

Two Republican candidates for the 36th Senate sounded off in a forum Tuesday.

Jeff Frederick and Tito Muñoz are on the ticket for a heavily democratic 36th Senate district, held by current Senator Toddy Puller (D) since 1999.

The new 36th district contains portions of Fairfax County and a large section of eastern Prince William County as well as a small part of Stafford County.

In a forum hosted by the Young Republicans of Prince William at , Frederick and Muñoz, had the opportunity to speak to their beliefs, backgrounds and platforms in front of an audience of their peers before taking questions from the audience.

For Tito Muñoz, known to many as “Tito the Builder” as dubbed by former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin, this is his first introduction to public office.  Muñoz believes that his experience as the owner of a small construction business and subcontractor makes him more in touch with what people want.

“Government is in the way of businesses and families always with regulations,” said “I understand that. Everyday I face new mandates, new regulations from Prince William, Fairfax, from Loudon counties and then state regulations and federal regulations. We need someone who understands from personal experience who has [felt] those regulations.”

Muñoz spoke of Americans, rather than federal government, creating jobs as well as energy independence from foreign countries. Muñoz cited his experience building gas stations as firsthand knowledge of the country’s need for energy.

“People talk about freedom and liberty. Many of you don’t understand what we have in America and what we face, I know what we have,” said Muñoz. “I come from a different country…I know what [freedom] means. I understand the dangers of losing our freedoms.”

Muñoz, originally from Colombia, is a naturalized American citizen who hails his values as markedly conservative. Muñoz said he does not believe in abortion, that the second amendment and religion are important values.

Jeff Frederick is no stranger to running for office in the Virginia General Assembly. Frederick, a Virginia native, first took office in the Virginia House of Delegates at the age of 28 in 2004. He served three terms in the House before deciding in 2009 not to run again.

Frederick is the CEO for GXS Strategies, an IT consulting business in Virginia.  Frederick also comes from a Colombian background; his mother is Colombian and his father is an American.

“I was blessed to grow up in a great Virginia, I have three kids, and I want them to have the opportunity to grow up in the same, if not better Virginia,” said Frederick.

Frederick said that he believes Muñoz’s campaign ideals are better served at the national level, not at the state level. But as Muñoz pointed out in a later rebuttal, he is not eligible to run for Congress until he has been a citizen for at least seven years.

“At a minimum, people seeking public office should know the difference of what can be done at each level of government,” said Frederick. “I’ve heard in other stump speeches that this race is about America, from my opponent. No it isn’t. It’s about the people of the 36th senatorial district.”

Frederick said that he has a history of winning elections in challenging atmospheres, noting that his personal best re-elect percentage was achieved in 2007, a year that “was otherwise a bloodbath for Republicans.”  

On the issue of immigration, Frederick expressed his desire for Virginia to crack down on illegal immigration and cited his previous experience in the House as evidence of such.

Muñoz, who has gone through the immigration process, compared his beliefs on illegal immigration to a childhood story of waiting in line for hours for a soccer game, only to lose his desired seat to others who cut the line. “You tell me I have to give someone who broke the law that same opportunity as me,” said Muñoz.

Frederick sees the economy and jobs as the most important issue in his campaign. “We have to do everything we can to get businesses to want to be in Virginia,” said Frederick. Muñoz said that the economy, federal government intrusion and the Route 1 corridor redevelopment are his top issues.

Frederick and Muñoz will head to a Republican primary election on Aug. 23. The general election will be held on Nov. 8.