"America is the greatest country on this earth," he said. "I grew up very patriotic. I always wanted to serve my country."
Serve he did: Following application to and attendance at the competitive and prestigious Naval Academy in Annapolis, Del Toro spent 26 years in the Navy, retiring with what he characterized as the solid leadership skills necessary for political office.
"That was the year we balanced the federal budget," he said. "I had no part in that, but I still learned a lot of lessons (like) pay-as-you-go rules." [That's not exactly what Carlos said. He's just modest about being a team player when they balanced the budget for the first time in most people's memory]
Calling the unfunded mandate "irresponsible of leadership," Del Toro's stance on the budget process is to appropriate at the same time as the legislation is created. On taxes, he remained open.
Of highest current personal priority is the Dominion transmission line issue, he said.
"Show me the facts that blackouts will be coming," Del Toro said. "I'm not opposed to the fact society demands energy. But before we make decisions...we need a very clear understanding of the need."
Dominion has yet to demonstrate such need, Del Toro said, adding that his concerns with the proposed line construction also centered on eminent domain threats as well as the states' rights Tenth Amendment.
"I'm concerned the federal government would impose its will upon the authority of what I believe is a decision that lies with the state," he said, speaking to recent suggestions that the federal government might override any state opposition to the line.
As for other legislative concerns, Del Toro named three at the top of his list: transportation, education and economic development - the last accomplished by working with local Chambers of Commerce to bring "good jobs to the community."
On transportation, more funding for secondary roads is needed, he said, as well as "long-term sustained (sources) of revenue."
He could not specify the exact source of this transportation funding - new tax dollars versus budget cuts, for instance - but said a "continuous emphasis" on this issue is needed.
"We have to figure out the best way to fund this over the course of the next 10 years," Del Toro said.
Education, meanwhile, should move from the arena of "competence to one of excellence."
Del Toro said he supported accountability for teachers, a boost to teacher salaries to allow localities to remain competitive and entice the best and brightest, and a classroom size that is small enough to meet the needs of students.
"Classrooms are at a risk of becoming too large, and we have to stay ahead of the game," he said, explaining that new school construction was one way to ensure student-teacher ratios remained appropriate.
As for funding for these priorities, Del Toro said that was really a topic of discussion during budget time.
"The budget is a reflection of priorities at that time," he said. "When the budget is revisited...that's when it's important to look at everything on the table."
Veterans for Del Toro is a group of retired servicemembers who are committed to bringing focus, commitment and passion to the Virginia Legislature by helping elect Commander Carlos Del Toro (Ret).