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Independent Senate candidate Gail Parker wants the government to give greater consideration to rail infrastructure as it grapples with transportation problems and energy costs.

Promoting rail is the single issue of Parker's campaign, which has the slogan "More Trains, Less Traffic." Calling herself Gail "For Rail" Parker, the former Department of Defense budget analyst is advocating for the construction of 500 miles of high-speed rail in Virginia. She has estimated the cost at roughly $5 billion.

Parker qualified to appear on the ballot in the U.S. Senate race in May after the State Board of Elections certified the 17,500 signatures of registered voters that she and her supporters collected across Virginia.

Parker has aligned herself with the Independent Green Party of Virginia, which also has candidates running in some congressional races. In a joint news conference earlier this year, Parker and Independent Green congressional candidates said greater public investment in high-speed rail could improve highway safety and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil. Curbing excessive spending in other areas could free up funds for greater rail investment, the candidates insisted.

-- Michael Sluss

On the Net: www.gailparker.us