David Ramadan

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 byPaula Miller
Succeeded byJohn Bell
Personal details
Born (1970-05-31) May 31, 1970
Beirut, Lebanon
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceSouth Riding, Virginia[1]
EducationGeorge Mason University (BA, MA)
OccupationEntrepreneur, consultant, pundit
Websitehttp://www.davidramadan.com/

Early life and education

Ramadan 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

Prior to entering politicis, 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.[4]

Ramadan served on the Board of Visitors of George Mason University, where he was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell on July 1, 2010.[5] The Washington Post on July 1, 2010, described the appointment by Governor McDonnell "as a thank you to longtime supporters and friends".[6] He is also an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University, teaching "Global Affairs - Middle East Realities" and "Virginia Government and Politics" courses.[7]

Ramadan is a political activist with active roles in the Republican Party of Virginia, the Loudoun County Republican Committee,[8] 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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[11]

Legislative history

Ramadan 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.[12]

Ramadan was the co-founder and co-chairman of the "Business Development Caucus,"[13] and the co-founded and co-chairman of the "Redskins Pride Caucus".[14]

Ramadan authored several pieces of legislation which became law during his four years in the Virginia House:

· Constitutional Amendment in support of military families [15]
· Online Voter Registration [16]
· High School to Work Partnerships [17]
· Diwali Day [18]
· Securing the State Corporation Commission electronic system [19]
· High School Biliteracy Diploma Seal [20]
· Sex Offenders and Crimes Against Minors Supplement to Registry [21]

Electoral history
DateElectionCandidatePartyVotes%
Virginia House of Delegates, 87th district
Aug 23, 2011[22] Republican primary David I. Ramadan 1,368 55.76
Jo-Ann Chase 1,085 44.23
Nov 8, 2011[23] 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[24] General David I. Ramadan Republican 10,274 50.26
John J. Bell Democratic 10,087 49.35
Write Ins 52 0.24

References
  1. David Ramadan | Ikhras اخرس Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  2. "Virginia House of Delegates 2013; Delegate David I. Ramadan". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  3. Plumb, Tierney (March 8, 2011). "D.C.-area businessman expands Curves overseas". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  4. "Va. State GOP Delegate: 'I Can Tell You Unequivocally' Trump Will Not Be Our Nominee". grabien.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  5. "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.
  6. Kumar, Anita (July 1, 2010). "McDonnell appoints supporters to universities's boards of visitors". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  7. "The New Realities in the Middle East with David Imad Ramadan". gmu.edu. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  8. "Loudoun GOP". Loudoun County (VA) Republican Party. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  9. "Republicans name ethnic outreach leadership". Republican Party of Virginia. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2010.
  10. Portnoy, Jenna. "Democrat Jennifer T. Wexton defeats Rep. Barbara Comstock, turning a GOP stronghold district in Virginia blue" The Washington Post November 6, 2018
  11. "Editorial: Ramadan says rural Republicans need to be educated about political reality" Roanoke Times October 24, 2018
  12. "Legislator: David Ramadan". www.vpap.org. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  13. Baratko, Trevor. "Ramadan among founders of statehouse Business Development Caucus". loudountimes.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  14. TIMES-DISPATCH, RICHMOND. "3 N.Va. legislators announce Redskins Pride Caucus". richmond.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  15. "Virginia Amendment Would Erase Property Taxes For Families Of Slain Soldiers". wamu.org. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  16. "Online voter registration takes effect in Virginia Industries". www.virginiabusiness.com. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  17. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+sum+HB2101
  18. "LIS > Bill Tracking > HJ550 > 2013 session". lis.virginia.gov. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  19. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?141+sum+HB168S
  20. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?151+sum+HB1351
  21. "HB1353: Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry; Supplement to Registry". Richmond Sunlight. Retrieved 15 September 2018.
  22. "August 2011 Republican Primary Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2013-07-23. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  23. "November 2011 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
  24. "November 2013 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on 2015-04-06. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
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