Profile: Dianne Blais 40th District Candidate

At A Glance

• Born: Bremerton, Washington
• Education: Mary Washington College, 1973, Economics
• Family: Married, 4 children

Independent candidate for delegate Dianne Blais has raise about $5,000 for her campaign to her competitor’s over $150,000 in funds, a figure she said is intentionally low.

“I’ve seen so much money wasted on elections and I just think that campaign money can go to such better causes,” Blais said. “I would be in favor of limit in public funding for elections.”

Blais is running against longtime Delegate Tim Hugo for the 40th District State House of Delegates seat. The district covers portions of Clifton, Fairfax Station, Centreville, and Prince William County.

Though Blais has identified with the Democratic Party in the past, she chose to run Independent in the current race, partially because she said she did not want to feel obligated to raise a large amount of money for her campaign. There is no Democratic nominated to run against Tim Hugo in this race.

“Everyone I spoke to said that I need to spend two hours a day raising money for my campaign,” Blais said. “I would rather spend that money on charity or working on the issues. My campaign is a low-budget grassroots effort.”

Blais’s main concerns are the economy, transportation, and education.

“Mass transit is a big thing,” Blais said. “We have to get people in this area out of their cars. I would hope to see a light rail system from Haymarket to the Metro.”

Early Life

Blais was born in Bremerton, Washington, but moved to the Northern Virginia area when she was in the eighth grade. She lived in Vienna and graduated from James Madison High School. Later, she got her degree from Mary Washington College in economics.

Her most recent job was as a Vice President of a small company, where she did contract billing. The company folded last year and Blais hasn't found another job that would be a right fit.

“That is why I’m choosing to run now,” Blais said. “The kids are grown and I didn’t have the type of job where I could go away for two months to Richmond. I have the time now.”

Though this is Blais’ first run for political office, she has been involved with the American Association of University Women for 27 years and of the League of Women Voters for 11 years.

“I’ve always been involved in women’s issues,” Blais said. “I’m pro-choice. I don’t believe that legislators should be getting involved in our bedrooms.”

In addition to those groups, Blais is an avid bridge player and singer, said friend Sarah Brady, who lives in Vienna and has known Blais for over a decade. Blais has also been a PTA president and girl scout leader.

“She is just very unassuming,” Brady said. “She believes that community action begins at home but doesn’t stop at home.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Blais' name. Also, the story stated that the 40th District covers portions of Manassas Park and it does not.