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Like countless others in Northern Virginia, both candidates for the 35th District House of Delegates seat got their start working on Capitol Hill.

Republican James E. Hyland worked for Sens. John Warner (R-Va.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and on the Senate Banking Committee staff before going to work as an attorney in the private sector. Democrat Mark L. Keam, also an attorney, served as chief counsel to Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) after working for two federal agencies.

Both candidates contend that this background has prepared them to hit the ground running in Richmond. The two are pursuing the open seat now held by Del. Stephen Shannon (D), who is running for attorney general.

They also agree that addressing the area's transportation needs must remain a top priority.

Without a transportation fix, "you're going to stranglehold the growth of Northern Virginia," Hyland said. "It's going to hurt education; it's going to hurt public safety."

He doesn't shy away from the prospect of new revenue, as many in his party do, and says it is time for delegates to get together and hash out a solution that has bipartisan support.

"We need a new dedicated source for transportation at the state level," Hyland said. "I really think it's time for the General Assembly to stop playing the shell game."

Keam's proposal also involves key players sitting down in a room together and discussing solutions. He says the state should evaluate and prioritize all of its transportation needs, look at available revenue sources and make tough decisions about how, or whether, to fund needed projects.

"I don't support just asking people to pay more money," Keam said. "I do support taking ideology and partisanship out of this process."

Keam also wants to revise the state formula used to distribute highway maintenance funds, which is based on miles of roadway, not how much a road is used. Instead, all factors that impact maintenance should be considered, he said.

"In Northern Virginia, it's not just miles of roads," he said. "What we've got is density and wear and tear."

Keam also wants to take a look at the education funding formula. Many politicians complain that Northern Virginia does not get its fair share back, but Keam acknowledges there is some merit to sharing the region's wealth with lower-income areas of the state.

"I want to make sure that our [education] quality is kept as consistent as possible across the Commonwealth," he said. "It's not just about spending more money in the classroom," Keam added, saying that recruiting quality teachers, reducing bureaucracy in school systems and improving the use of technology are also important.

Supporting higher education is a priority for Hyland. He backs Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell's proposal to increase the number of degrees available at Virginia schools.

"I think it's a mistake to cut funds to colleges," Hyland said, criticizing a proposal by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) to cut higher education funding to help balance the state budget. "In my view, we've been underfunding colleges."

More graduates and more university-level research are both important to renewing the state's economy, Hyland said.

ELECTION 2009

James E. Hyland

Republican

Age: 48

Residence: Oakton

Family: Married, two children

Occupation: Attorney, Pennsylvania Avenue Group

Public service: Former president, Friends of Oakton Library; board member, Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Campaign finance: Raised $127,426 in 2009 (including $3,500 loan); $12,437 on hand as of Sept. 30

Web site: www.hylandfordelegate.com

Mark L. Keam

Democrat

Age: 43

Residence: Vienna

Family: Married, two children

Occupation: Attorney, on unpaid leave of absence from Verizon Communications

Public service: Past president, Courthouse Oaks Homeowners Association; member, Rotary Club of Vienna

Campaign finance: Raised $392,139 in 2009; $73,536 on hand as of Sept. 30

Web site: www.markkeam.com