Fairfax Station representative Tim Hugo 'Doing What He Said He Would Do'

Originally from the Chesapeake/Norfolk area, Tim Hugo recalls that he always aspired to a career in government, and that at a recent high school reunion, an old friend told him, "You're the only one doing what you said you would do."

In his role as Virginia's 40th District's Delegate, Hugo has represented residents of Fairfax Station, Fairfax, Centreville and Clifton since 2003. He is considered a rising star in Virginia's Republican party; in January of 2010, he was elected by his fellow delegates to the post of the Majority Caucus Chairman.

His committee assignments include Commerce and Labor, Finance, Transportation, and Privileges and Elections.

Hugo recently sat down with Fairfax Station Patch to talk about his public and private lives and the issues within his District.

After graduating from the College of William and Mary in 1986,  Hugo borrowed "a few hundred dollars and a jar of peanut butter" from his father and began knocking on congressional office doors for a job.  

He began as nearly all young congressional staffers do - "on the phone" - and readily joked about the experience, saying that the problem with many politicians is that "they start believing their own press releases."

Just a few years later, he was serving as Chief of Staff for Congressman Bud Shuster (R-PA.).

 During Operation Desert Storm, Hugo said he was moved by news reports of young men and women serving in the Persian Gulf, "felt he wasn't doing all he could," and joined the US Army Reserves. He describes the experience as "one of the best things I ever did."  

Never deployed overseas, Hugo served in Defense Intelligence at Fort Meade until 1998.

Elected in 2003 to fill the seat formerly held by Jay O'Brien, Hugo was the only Delegate on the orientation tour of the Richmond Statehouse, an experience he said he will never forget.  

Hugo said he was awestruck by the building Thomas Jefferson designed and that the surroundings drove home the fact that "it's not a game. It's an honor and a responsibility."

Asked how he keeps perspective, Hugo said that "too many elected officials forget that they work for the people. That is a tragic mistake and an egregious error. It's not about you, it's about the seat."

He also says wife Paula, his family and faith keep him humble.  Married in 1994, the Hugos have four children.

"I try to do the right thing so I don't embarrass my kids," he remarked.

As a former student of American Government, Hugo is well aware of the two prevailing models of elected governance.

The trustee model allows the elected to use their own best judgement in making legislative decisions.  

The delegate model requires representatives to subordinate their own views strictly to the will of the voters.  

Asked which model he favors, Hugo said he tries to "listen to constituents issue by issue and works to balance" those roles.  

If he felt "a compelling, moral reason," he said he would vote his conscience, but quickly added: "If you feel that strongly, you have to be willing to lose an election. These seats are not birthrights. I try to listen to and read a lot of things and discuss them with constituents. It's good to be challenged."  

Before making any legislative decision, Hugo said he asks himself: "Are you sure?  Is this right?"

Hugo is outspoken in his opposition to the Fairfax County School Board's decision to close Clifton Elementary: "Clifton is in many ways, the heart of this community. What Liz Bradsher and the School Board have done is tragic."

He adds that the effect of the consequent "rushed construction and interim trailers," and an impending redistricting "will reverberate throughout the County."

This is part one of Elizabeth Vittori's profile of Tim Hugo. .

Editor's note: Patch columnist Elizabeth Vittori holds a degree in Political Science. She is also is a plaintiff in an ongoing case against Fairfax County Public Schools regarding the School Board's decision to close Clifton Elementary School.