Former Fairfax City Councilwoman Announces Run for House Delegate

Patrice Winter filed papers to run for the Republican nomination to Virginia's House of Delagates in the 37th District Tuesday.

Winter served three terms on the City Council of Fairfax City, from 2002 to 2008.

Since that time she has earned a masters degree in healthcare administration and a doctorate in physical therapy.

Prior to her time on the City Council, Winter worked in the healthcare industry, owning and operating a physical therapy practice in the area for 17 years.

Winter currently works as a full-time faculty member at George Mason University.

Winter has been active in community sports and public education as well as neighborhood, political and church organizations since moving to the area in 1978. She is a federal affairs representative and a national media spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of the City of Fairfax Band as well as the City Charter Commission for the City of Fairfax.

Winter calls herself "the proud mother" of a son who attends college and a daughter serving in the Peace Corps.

As for her motivations for running for the Virginia Delegation, Winter said in a statement Tuesday, "I am running for Delegate because I believe I have an obligation to be actively involved in my community. With my experience and education, I bring an in-depth, real-world knowledge of healthcare, small business and education, which will be invaluable here in NoVa and in Richmond."

"I want to be the voice for the various constituencies in our wonderfully diverse community," her statement continued. "I want to tap into the enormous expertise that the residents of this district posses and be the conduit to use this insight towards a successful legislative process."

Winter said she and her campaign staff are now "waiting to be certified so that we can begin to challenge the incumbent and win this seat for all the constituents residing in the 37th district."

The 37th House District includes all of the City of Fairfax, areas south to Fairfax Station and west to Centreville to the western edge of Fairfax County, and also includes George Mason University.

"I am very excited about this opportunity and I look forward to engaging voters of the 37th along the campaign trail," Winter added.

Winter will challenge the current delegate, David Bulova. Bulova is the son of Sharon Bulova, the current chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

For more information, visit her website at www.electpatricewinter.com.

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