Candidate Spotlight: Suzanne Patrick of the 2nd Congressional District

This article is a background article about Suzanne Patrick who is seeking to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia. Patrick responded to emails with a brief statement: “In my family, equality and justice came before all else. That’s why I believe that people should be able to marry who they love without legal or social discrimination. ENDA is a good start to making sure that equality is promoted in the workplace, but the issue is far from over. In Congress, I will work to ensure that all people – regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual identity – have equal opportunities.”

As stated, Suzanne Patrick is seeking to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia. The 2nd District includes the largest growing city in Virginia (Virginia Beach) and parts of Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News and parts of the Eastern Shore. This area includes the largest military base in Virginia as well, and Wallops Island, the NASA facility. The area has a large retired military presence.

Suzanne Patrick has great credentials to support and represent this district. She is a retired Commander with the US Naval Reserves, and is fourth generation military. She has served at numerous posts throughout the US and the world. She served as the Deputy Under-Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy under George Bush. While in this position she helped expand the military’s industrial base while improving transparency, accountability and efficiency.
Suzanne has also worked as a civil servant for the Naval Air Systems Command and for the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations. Under President Ronald Reagan and Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, Suzanne worked as congressional liaison for the Navy R&D budget. Later, Suzanne worked as an aerospace and investment analyst and fund manager.

Suzanne Patrick is also the founder of her own consulting business, Suzanne D. Patrick & Company. This company provided investment banking and technology search and strategy consulting services to corporate clients. She also served as a member of The National Academy of Sciences Committee on Scientific Communication and National Security.

With this background, Patrick understands that the military families and facilities of Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District are the backbone of the local economy as well as the nation’s fighting forces. Her experience in global economies helps her to understand the importance of Virginia’s port to American trade and regional businesses. She will promote fair trade and the infrastructure and high quality jobs needed for our port to flourish.

Suzanne Patrick is currently the primary caretaker for her 88 year old mother, Dorothy. As a caregiver, Suzanne learned firsthand the importance of Social Security and Medicare. She wants to serve to represent all of those who can least represent themselves: children and the elderly. Suzanne has also been an engaged advocate for women, mentoring young women pursuing careers in science, engineering, and the military and speaking on women’s issues internationally.

On her website (www.suzannepatrickforcongress.com), Patrick lists her priorities as: Jobs and Economy, Military Preparedness, Education, and Seniors. On July 28th, Patrick, in response to the Fourth Circuit Court decision stated, “This is a huge step for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Thank you to Attorney General Mark Herring for his leadership. Everyone deserves to marry the person that he or she loves.” Suzanne further states: “In my family, equality and justice came before all else. That’s why I believe that people should be able to marry who they love without legal or social discrimination. ENDA is a good start to making sure that equality is promoted in the workplace, but the issue is far from over. In Congress, I will work to ensure that all people – regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual identity – have equal opportunities.”

Suzanne attended college in Virginia, graduating in 1977 from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, Suzanne went on to earn a Masters degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University and was named Washington Woman magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in 1986.

The LGBT Democrats of Virginia have sent all candidates including Patrick endorsement questionnaires. We have not received the questionnaire or voted on endorsements yet, but we will post on our website when endorsements are made. We will be highlighting Democratic candidates for all the Congressional Districts in the coming weeks. We encourage you all to go out and talk to the candidates in your area and to help out as you are able. It is important to Virginia to elect strong Democratic candidates.