Connolly Endorsed by Virginia State Senators Saslaw, Barker, Howell and Ticer

For Immediate Release
March 31, 2008

Fairfax, VA — The Gerry Connolly for Congress campaign announced today that Chairman Connolly has been endorsed by four prominent members of the Virginia State Senate, including Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw.

Virginia State Senators George Barker (D-39), Janet Howell (D-32), Patsy Ticer (D-30) and Richard Saslaw (D-35) are all supporting Chairman Connolly in his campaign for Congress in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.

“Gerry Connolly has been a passionate advocate for the needs and interests of Northern Virginia,” said Majority Leader Saslaw.  “I’ve worked closely with him as Chairman and I look forward to doing the same when he’s in Congress.  I hope all Democrats will join me in supporting him on June 10.”

“Gerry Connolly has shown great leadership on the Board of Supervisors, building a consensus for bold initiatives on affordable housing, stormwater management, and the Cool Counties program,” said Senator George Barker.  “We need his visionary leadership representing us in Congress. I urge all Democrats to support Gerry Connolly on June 10 and November 4.”

Connolly was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995. In 2003, he was elected Chairman of the Board.  Prior to serving in elected office, Connolly spent ten years with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control and United Nations and Middle East policies.  He received a B.A. in Literature from Maryknoll College and an M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1979.

Affordable Housing TV Coverage

NBC 4.

Fox 5.

CBS 9.

More Affordable Housing Coverage

The Washington Post covers Gerry’s new initiative.

Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, today will propose using county funds to purchase foreclosed properties and sell them at below-market prices to working families.

Doing so would both create affordable housing in one of the nation’s most expensive communities and help protect neighborhoods in danger of decline from the exploding number of homes going into foreclosure across Fairfax, Connolly will say in his annual State of the County speech tonight.

New Affordable Housing Initiative Fights Foreclosures

The DC Examiner covers a new initiative Gerry will unveil in his State of the County address this evening.

In his annual State of the County address, the Democratic chairman and 11th District congressional candidate will announce he wants to explore the use of some of the $23 million affordable housing fund to reverse the damage foreclosures have dealt to neighborhoods, and at the same time allow more families to afford to live in the county.

The county’s “1-penny fund” established three years ago has been devoted to buying apartment units or partnering with nonprofits to hold down rents, but has never been used to buy houses.

Earnie Porta Endorsement Email

Earnie Porta, the Mayor of the Town of Occoquan, is on our list of endorsements.  Way back in January, he sent out this email urging his friends and supporters to support Gerry.   I figured I’d go ahead and repost it here.

Dear Friends,

 

As some of you may know, the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Gerry Connolly, has formed an exploratory committee to consider a run for Congress in the 11th District.  I believe Gerry is both an outstanding public servant and the Democrats’ best shot at recapturing the Congressional seat held for so long by Tom Davis.  Before beginning his tenure as a county supervisor Gerry served for ten years as a staff member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  His experience thus runs the gamut, from the local to the international — a depth and breadth sorely needed at this time.  Some of you may also recall that during this last election cycle Gerry not only aided a number of our local candidates, but also publicly challenged the demagogic rhetoric emanating from Prince William County on a number of issues.

 

I hope you will consider joining me in supporting Gerry Connolly’s efforts during this exploratory phase.  An important part of that phase is demonstrating fundraising ability.  So, if you are able, please consider making a modest donation to Gerry’s committee at this time.  Every dollar helps.  You may contribute online by clicking here.

 

Thank you very much for your time.

 

Earnie Porta

Mayor, Town of Occoquan 

Connolly Endorsed by Members of Virginia House of Delegates

For Immediate Release
March 27, 2008

Chairman Connolly Announces Endorsements from Seven Members of Virginia House of Delegates

Fairfax, VA — The Gerry Connolly for Congress campaign announced today that Chairman Connolly has been been endorsed by seven area members of the Virginia House of Delegates.

“We’re thrilled to have the support of so many Democratic members of the House of Delegates,” said James Walkinshaw, Connolly’s campaign manager. “These endorsements are a huge boost to our campaign.”"As Chairman, I’ve been proud to work with these fine men and women to get results for Northern Virginia,” said Connolly. “I hope to do the same as a member of Congress.”

Connolly was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995. In 2003, he was elected Chairman of the Board. Prior to serving in elected office, Connolly spent ten years with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control and United Nations and Middle East policies. He received a B.A. in Literature from Maryknoll College and an M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1979.

List of endorsements below.

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Ken Plum — 36^th District
Jim Scott — 53^rd District
David Bulova — 37^th District
Vivian Watts — 39^th District
Dave Marsden — 41^st District
Chuck Caputo — 67^th District
Paul Nichols — 51^st District

For Immediate Release: Connolly Endorsed by 29 Local Elected Officials

For Immediate Release
March 26, 2008

Chairman Connolly Endorsed by Twenty-Nine Local Elected Officials

Fairfax, VA — The Gerry Connolly for Congress campaign announced today that Chairman Connolly has been endorsed by twenty-nine local elected officials from across the 11th district and Northern Virginia. Connolly was endorsed by officials in every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia.

“This is an overwhelming list that shows Chairman Connolly’s broad support across the district and the region,” said James Walkinshaw, Connolly’s campaign manager. “The next member of Congress from the 11th district will need to have positive, constructive relationships with other leaders and Chairman Connolly does.”

“I’m humbled to have such support from my colleagues across the region,” Connolly said. “It’s a real testament to the momentum building behind this campaign.”

Connolly was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995. In 2003, he was elected Chairman of the Board. Prior to serving in elected office, Connolly spent ten years with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control and United Nations and Middle East policies. He received a B.A. in Literature from Maryknoll College and an M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1979.

List of endorsements below.

###

Ray Morrogh — Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Stan Barry — Fairfax County Sheriff

Sharon Bulova — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Braddock District
Penny Gross — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Mason District
Gerry Hyland — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Mt. Vernon District
Jeff McKay — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Lee District
Linda Smyth — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Providence District
Cathy Hudgins — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Hunter Mill District
Dana Kauffman — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Lee District (former)
Jean Packard — Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Chairman (former), Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, Board Member (current)

Ilryong Moon — Fairfax County School Board At-Large
Tina Hone — Fairfax County School Board At-Large
Phil Niedzielski-Eichner — Fairfax County School Board, Providence District
Brad Center — Fairfax County School Board, Lee District

Earnie Porta — Mayor, Town of Occoquan
Frank Principi — Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Woodbridge District
John Jenkins — Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Neabsco District
Hilda Barg — Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Woodbridge District (former)
Kathleen Seefeldt — Prince William County Board of Supervisors, Chairman (former)

Gary Rasmussen — City of Fairfax, City Council

George Lovelace – Town of Vienna, City Council
Edythe Frankel Kelleher – Town of Vienna, City Council

Bill Euille — City of Alexandria, Mayor
Del Pepper — City of Alexandria, City Council
Paul Smedberg – City of Alexandria, City Council
Walter Tejada — Arlington County Board of Supervisors, Chairman
Jay Fisette — Alrington County Board of Supervisors
Paul Ferguson — Arlington County Clerk of Court
Michael O’Reilly — Town of Herndon, Mayor (former)

Kojo Nnamdi Covers the First Negative Attack

Typically, you don’t want to highlight an opponent’s media appearance. But there’s an exception to every rule and this one is an exception.

Kojo Nnamdi’s Politics Hour covers the fact that one of our opponent’s has launched the first negative attack of the campaign.

Check it out here. The relevant segment begins around 42:00.

Andrew Hurst Endorses Gerry Connolly

From a few weeks back…

All, wanted to send you a note about the upcoming election in the 11th District. For those of you who didn’t know, I’m not running. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, but its just not the right time for Elizabeth, the kids and me to undertake the effort again.

I am writing to let you know that I will be supporting a candidate in the Democratic Primary. Gerry Connolly, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County.

When I ran in 2006, I felt like we needed to give Tom Davis and his colleagues a fight. Democrats needed to take back Congress, and send a message to George Bush and Congressional Republicans that we didn’t agree with what they were doing to our country. You and I together gave them that fight. We helped Jim Webb beat George Allen, tied down Tom Davis and his money, and left Davis with his worst result since being elected despite our being outspent nearly 10 to 1. Our message was heard, and helped Democrats win a sweeping victory. I am very proud of what we accomplished.

This year requires something different. It is not the time for an aggressive partisan battle with an obstinate Republican majority. Tom Davis has retired. Democrats control Congress, and we are poised to take back the White House. It is a time for leadership and statesmanship. We need to elect Democrats in Congress with a proven record of legislative accomplishment and ability to work across party lines. We can set the agenda now, and we need people who can get that agenda done. In the Eleventh, Gerry Connolly is that person.

Years back, Gerry had a number of young Reed Smith lawyers to lunch. At that lunch, he impressed us all not only with his depth of knowledge of public policy, but his passion to make government a real tool of change in the lives of people. He made us all believe that government was a thing to be admired and used to promote the common good, not a thing to be despised. This lunch resulted in me going down and joining my local Democratic committee, as I wanted to be a part of this great process too.

Since then Gerry has continued to impress me with what he has accomplished on the Fairfax Board. Fairfax has been recognized time and again as one of the best run counties in the United States. He has succeeded in getting bi-partisan support for a number of initiatives, and has advanced a progressive agenda while continuing to assist in providing great quality of life here in Northern Virginia. His re-election as Chair with more than 60% of the vote, including wins in every single Fairfax magisterial district, is proof positive of his appeal to voters of every demographic and type.

We have a number of other terrific candidates running for this nomination. Lori Alexander is a passionate newcomer who has an inspirational background. Leslie Byrne has stepped forward with all of her years of dedicated service to our party, Commonwealth and Country. And Doug Denneny brings his distinguished background of service in our Nation’s armed forces to the discussion. We would be well served by any of these fine candidates.

But we would be best served by Gerry Connolly as our next member of Congress. I will be casting my vote for him on June 10th, and encourage you and yours to do the same.

Andrew Hurst

P.S. Much as she did in my primary election, I believe my daughter Emma will be withholding her support for any candidate until “after the prima

Firefighters Endorse Gerry

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2008

Fairfax, Prince William, International Firefighters Endorse Gerry Connolly for Congress

Fairfax, VA — The Gerry Connolly for Congress campaign announced today that Connolly has received the endorsement of the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics (Local 2068), the Prince William Professional Fire Fighters (Local 2598) and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

“I’m so proud to have the support of the firefighters in this race,” said Connolly.  “I’ve had their endorsement in all five of my previous elections and, with their help, won each time.  I’m looking forward to working with them to win this campaign as well.”

“This is about a relationship,” said John Niemiec, President of the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics.  “Gerry has stood with us for thirteen years and we’re proud to stand with him now.”

Niemiec cited Connolly’s work to establish a wellness center for firefighters in Fairfax County as just one example of Connolly’s leadership.

“Our wellness center has saved lives and improved our ability to protect the citizens of this county,” he said.  “Gerry was a leader in that effort.”

Connolly was first elected to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 1995. In 2003, he was elected Chairman of the Board.  Prior to serving in elected office, Connolly spent ten years with the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he managed committee oversight of international economic issues, international narcotics control and United Nations and Middle East policies.  He received a B.A. in Literature from Maryknoll College and an M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard University in 1979.