Open seat brings on new tax fight

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The two candidates for a House of Delegates seat representing Fairfax County were not members of the Virginia General Assembly during the historic tax fight last year.

Still, Dave Marsden, a Democrat, and Michael J. Golden, a Republican, will resume the fight at the polls next month.

Their race to replace retiring Delegate James H. Dillard II is one of several illustrating how Virginia Republicans and Democrats are refighting last year's $1.38 billion tax package -- the largest increase in the state's history.

Voters will have to decide between anti-tax Republicans and Democrats who support the tax increase as their next representative in the state House.

Mr. Dillard, a lifelong Republican who last year bucked anti-tax leaders in his party to vote for that tax package, yesterday endorsed Mr. Marsden, his former assistant.

In June, Republicans nominated Mr. Golden, who campaigned as a staunchly anti-tax candidate.

Mr. Dillard, a 25-year House incumbent, is regarded by some in his party as a tax traitor. Yesterday, he called Mr. Golden a "partisan extremist" and a "one-issue candidate."

"We all don't like taxes, but his plan to roll back the budget that we passed in the last session of the General Assembly is simply irresponsible," Mr. Dillard said.

Mr. Golden denies that he would "roll back the budget," but said he opposed most elements of the tax package, which also cut taxes. He said he wasn't surprised by Mr. Dillard's endorsement of his opponent.

"We obviously have different views fiscally," Mr. Golden said. "I'm confident with our message but it's not one issue, it's definitely not one issue."