Forrest Declares Candidacy For State Senate

Reston resident Patrick Forrest, an attorney, U.S. Coast Guard Officer and former senior official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced his candidacy for State Senate in Virginia’s 32nd District on Sunday.

"After nearly 20 years on the job, incumbent Janet Howell has become too influenced by the Richmond establishment and the status quo," said Forrest, a Republican.

"I believe we can and should do better. Northern Virginia taxpayers are not getting their fair share and we need a Senator who will stand up for Northern Virginians not for the Richmond lobbyists. Richmond has shaken down Northern Virginia taxpayers for far too long, our families should not be Richmond’s cash cow."

Forrest, who has never held elected office before, says Virginia needs new ideas and new energy.  

Forrest recently served as a senior official at DHS.  He served as lead counsel for the E-Verify program and as Associate Chief at the Office of Legislative Affairs at USCIS.

In 2008, Forrest was a senior member of the DHS Presidential Transition Team.

Forrest recently was named a William J. Fulbright Research Chair in American Studies. In this capacity, he conducts research and lectures on refugee resettlement issues, immigration reform and its impact on economic conditions in North America.  

A product of the public school system, Forrest is on the Fairfax County Public School’s Business & Community Advisory Council, as well as the Fairfax County Textbook Selection Committee, where he provides guidance on the Fairfax County Public School’s annual budget and educational priorities.

He is a U.S. Coast Guard Officer, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, has earned a J.D. from Syracuse University, College of Law and received an L.L.M. from George Washington University, School of Law.