David-Imad Ramadan (born May 31, 1970) is a Lebanese-born American politician and businessman. He is a former Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 87th district in Loudoun and Prince William counties from 2012 to 2016.[2] He opted not to seek re-election in 2015, and was succeeded by his 2013 opponent, Democrat John J. Bell.
David-Imad Ramadan | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 87th district | |
| In office January 11, 2012 – January 5, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Paula Miller |
| Succeeded by | John Bell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | David-Iman Ramadan May 31, 1970 Beirut, Lebanon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence | South Riding, Virginia[1] |
| Education | George Mason University (BA, MA) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, consultant, pundit |
| Website | http://www.davidramadan.com/ |
Early life and education
editRamadan grew up in Lebanon and completed his high school studies at International College, Beirut. He emigrated to the United States in 1989 and has resided in Virginia since then. He is a graduate of George Mason University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and politics and a Master of Arts degree in international trade and transactions. He completed graduate studies at Oxford University, the American Graduate School of Business (Geneva, Switzerland), Johns Hopkins University, and Georgetown University.
Career
editPrior to entering politics, Ramadan worked at Curves International and in the government relations sector.[3]
Ramadan is also a frequent commentator on TV and radio news networks such as ABC's Good Morning America, LBC, MSNBC, France 24, Al-Hurra, BBC, CNN, and NPR.[citation needed]
Ramadan served on the Board of Visitors of George Mason University, where he was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell on July 1, 2010.[4] The Washington Post on July 1, 2010, described the appointment by Governor McDonnell "as a thank you to longtime supporters and friends".[5] He is also an adjunct professor at George Mason University, teaching "Global Affairs - Middle East Realities" and "Virginia Government and Politics" courses.[6]
Ramadan is a political activist with active roles in the Republican Party of Virginia, the Loudoun County Republican Committee,[7] and the Arab-American Republican community. He has served on presidential political campaigns as well as on gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns, and was appointed by RPV Chair in 2008 to ethnic outreach leadership.[8]
In November 2018, when Republican Congresswoman Barbara Comstock was ousted by Democratic nominee Jennifer Wexton, Ramadan told The Washington Post that her loss is to be blamed on factors at the national level, not the district level.[9] He has been outspoken about his belief that the Virginia Republican party needs to pay more attention to the needs and opinions of Northern Virginia (known colloquially as "NoVa"), and not just to rural voters in the rest of the Commonwealth.[10]
Legislative history
editRamadan served on the several committees in the Virginia House of Delegates, specifically Privileges & Elections (P&E), Science & Technology (S&T), and the General Laws Committee. He served as the chairman of the P&E Constitutional Amendments Subcommittee.[11]
Ramadan was the co-founder and co-chairman of the "Business Development Caucus,"[12] and the co-founded and co-chairman of the "Redskins Pride Caucus".[13]
Ramadan authored several pieces of legislation which became law during his four years in the Virginia House:
- Constitutional Amendment in support of military families[14]
- Online Voter Registration[15]
- High School to Work Partnerships[16]
- Diwali Day[17]
- Securing the State Corporation Commission electronic system[18]
- High School Biliteracy Diploma Seal[19]
- Sex Offenders and Crimes Against Minors Supplement to Registry[20]
Electoral history
edit| Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia House of Delegates, 87th district | |||||
| Aug 23, 2011[21] | Republican primary | David I. Ramadan | 1,368 | 55.76 | |
| Jo-Ann Chase | 1,085 | 44.23 | |||
| Nov 8, 2011[22] | General | David I. Ramadan | Republican | 5,435 | 49.92 |
| Mike D. Kondratick | Democratic | 5,384 | 49.45 | ||
| Write Ins | 67 | 0.61 | |||
| Paula Miller was redistricted out; seat changed from Democratic to Republican | |||||
| Nov 5, 2013[23] | General | David I. Ramadan | Republican | 10,274 | 50.26 |
| John J. Bell | Democratic | 10,087 | 49.35 | ||
| Write Ins | 52 | 0.24 | |||
References
edit- ^ David Ramadan | Ikhras اخرس Retrieved 2018-05-08.
- ^ "Virginia House of Delegates 2013; Delegate David I. Ramadan". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ^ Plumb, Tierney (March 8, 2011). "D.C.-area businessman expands Curves overseas". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
- ^ "Governor McDonnell Announces Board Appointments and Additional Appointments to Administration" (Press release). Gov. McDonnell's Press Office. July 1, 2010. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
- ^ Kumar, Anita (July 1, 2010). "McDonnell appoints supporters to universities's boards of visitors". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
- ^ "The New Realities in the Middle East with David Imad Ramadan". gmu.edu. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Loudoun GOP". Loudoun County (VA) Republican Party. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
- ^ "Republicans name ethnic outreach leadership". Republican Party of Virginia. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
- ^ Portnoy, Jenna. "Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton defeats Rep. Barbara Comstock, turning a GOP stronghold district in Virginia blue" The Washington Post November 6, 2018
- ^ "Editorial: Ramadan says rural Republicans need to be educated about political reality" Roanoke Times October 24, 2018
- ^ "Legislator: David Ramadan". www.vpap.org. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ Baratko, Trevor (30 April 2012). "Ramadan among founders of statehouse Business Development Caucus". loudountimes.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ TIMES-DISPATCH, RICHMOND (23 June 2014). "3 N.Va. legislators announce Redskins Pride Caucus". richmond.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Virginia Amendment Would Erase Property Taxes For Families Of Slain Soldiers". wamu.org. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Online voter registration takes effect in Virginia Industries". www.virginiabusiness.com. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2101 > 2013 session".
- ^ "LIS > Bill Tracking > HJ550 > 2013 session". lis.virginia.gov. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "LIS > Bill Tracking > HB168 > 2014 session".
- ^ "LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1351 > 2015 session".
- ^ "HB1353: Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; Supplement to Registry". Richmond Sunlight. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
- ^ "August 2011 Republican Primary Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ^ "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ^ "November 2013 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2016-04-24.