Jim Plowman will have an opponent this year.
Loudoun veteran legal mind, Jennifer Wexton, has announced her candidacy for Commonwealth’s Attorney. Leesburg Today has the story.
Having practiced criminal defense law at Ritenour Paice & Mougin-Boal since 2005, Wexton spent the four years before that as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, including two serving under Plowman. In addition to practicing law, Wexton serves as the current president of the Loudoun Bar Association, where she has previously served on the Board of Directors. In 2010 she also served as a Special Justice and as a Substitute Judge in the Loudoun County District Courts. Wexton also is certified by the Virginia Supreme Court to serve as “guardian ad litem” to represent the interests of children in pending legal matters, and in 2009 was appointed to the county’s Community Services Board.
While a prosecutor, Wexton received the 2005 Izaak Walton League Award for Outstanding Service to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. In 2007 she was awarded the Harry L. Carrico Award for her pro bono legal work in private practice. – Leesburg Today
Judge Wexton presents a compelling alternative to our current Commonwealth’s Attorney, whose history of ethical line crossing was an issue in the 2007 race.
In the interests of transparency, I’ve been working with Jennifer for the past few weeks. I’ve found her to be engaging, knowledgeable and possessing a fundamental caring for the people of Loudoun County. She brings a breadth of experience and qualifications to the office that any County would be lucky to have. Here’s hoping the voters agree on November 8th.
No, I haven’t. I conceded that Wexton has less experience IN THAT POSITION, that does not equal conceding the experience qualification as a whole.
Jennifer Wexton brings a wealth of experience from her private practice AND 4 years working as an ACA.
What else has Plowman done? What experience did he bring to the CA’s office? If all he’s got is his experience as CA, then that’s a paucity.
Actually, the fact that you’ve moved from experience to integrity suggests you’ve conceded the experience qualification.
I bet he was a nicely dressed young man, though. They should just say that.
“Plowman has 7 years more experience in the job than Wexton.”
Well, let’s just appoint him CA for life in that case.
I prefer less experience and more integrity. And, frankly, the fact that you’re not speaking about what his PREVIOUS experience was, tells me he didn’t have any.
Quite honestly, I do not think Mr. Plowman has the experience edge over Judge Wexton. Judge Wexton’s experience with the community, and leading the Loudoun Bar Association, gives her insights into cases that Mr. Plowman lacks. The example of the drug court comes to mind.
Incidentally, President of the Loudoun Bar Association is “SOME kind of experience leading a local group of attorneys.” In fact, it’s rather the definition of that requirement.
Since experience is your criteria above all others, however, I look forward to your strong support for Supervisors Burk and McGimsey as well as Senator Herring in their re-election bids. After all, they have far more experience in those roles than their challengers.
Puleese, do not call her “judge.” The occasional pro tem job doesn’t justify that.
As E points out, this is 2011, and regardless of the experience he had when first elected, Plowman has 7 years more experience in the job than Wexton.
Well David, those references may sound patronising and superficial, but it’s certainly better than what Bill Maher called Palin! ;D
A few of the initial patronizing comments from the thread over at Lloyd’s place:
“this young lady”
“she appears more interested in fashion”
“is fairly nice looking”
Possibly Plowman’s folks have watched a few too many episodes of Mad Men.
As Lloyd points out over there, although Plowman may not have had any more experience when he started as CA, he has more experience now. Yes, that seems to be the problem – the specific experience he gained in that position. I only met Ms. Wexton briefly, but she comes across as very bright, very ethical, and definitely not part of any Courthouse Gang or GOBGN.
Now, if she happened to be a bright, ethical young man, I think we would not be hearing language such as what I cited above. Sad in 2011 – but this is precisely the legacy of a GOB like Mr. Plowman.
Can you tell me what experience Mr. Plowman had before he was elected to CA the first time?
Considering he’s still a relatively young man, it couldn’t have been much more than Judge Wexton has now.
The Community Services Board is relevant since the board is very involved in the Drug Court. As is the CA’s office.
Seat on the Community Services Board – not relevant
Experience in private practice – as an associate at a law firm, not even as a partner, and only for five years or so.
Head of the bar association – so what?
Frankly, I’d expect someone with DOJ/US Attorney’s office experience or someone with some long-time local prosecutorial experience. And, as another prerequisite, someone who has SOME kind of experience leading a group of attorneys.
As such, you have to give Plowman the experience edge. On the integrity issue, though, I think he has some explaining to do.
Four years as ACA, experience as a judge, experience in private practice, head of the Bar Association, and a seat on the Community Services Board. Sounds like quite a bit of experience for a challenger.
The incumbent has quite a few integrity issues. It’s time for a change.
Nothing against Ms. Wexton personally, but it seems her resume is a little light for this job. No experience running a firm or prosecutor’s office (she’s not even a partner in her small firm) and only a few years in the CA’s office. What is it that leads you to believe her experience is superior to that of the incumbent?
I have found Jennifer to be insightful, thoughtful, and passionate during our work together on the CSB.
Her experience in the prosecutor’s office, along with her experience in private practice, and her experience on the CSB will mean that she brings knowledge, integrity, capability, and compassion to the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney.