The Line: VA-11 Number Two

From the Fix:

2. Virginia’s 11th (Open seat, R): In the days leading up to the June 10 Democratic primary between Fairfax Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly and former Rep. Leslie Byrne, there was a real sense that Byrne had the momentum to pull off the upset. Um, no. Connolly, a hard-nosed but effective pol, demolished Byrne — winning 58 percent to her 33 percent. Connolly’s impressive showing and his high profile in the most populous part of the district make him a formidable force in the fall. Republicans are optimistic about businessman Keith Fimian, who had $768,000 in the bank as of May 21, but Connolly is a solid favorite (Previous ranking: 3)

DCCC Adds Gerry to Red to Blue

For Immediate Release
June 18, 2008

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Notes VA-11 As Top Pick-Up Opportunity, Adds Connolly to Red to Blue

Fairfax, VA — The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, led by Chairman Chris Van Hollen, announced today that Gerry Connolly has been added to its highly competitive Red to Blue program.  Democratic congressional candidates qualify for the Red to Blue program by surpassing demanding fundraising goals and demonstrating to voters that they stand for change.

“We’re thrilled to be included in the Red to Blue program,” said Chairman Connolly.  “This will give us the financial edge to win in November.”

The Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country and offers them financial, communications, and strategic support.  The program will introduce Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for the campaigns.

Red to Blue was successful in 2006, raising nearly $22.6 million for campaigns with an average of $404,400 per campaign.

Gerry 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.

New Letter to the Editor

From the Connection Newspapers.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

To the Editor:
The negative campaign mailings by Leslie Byrne attacking Gerry Connolly are extremely disappointing. We live in a time desperate for a change for our country’s survival, and there should be no room for such distortions and untruths in the Democratic Primary June 10.
Gerry Connolly should be applauded for campaigning on the issues, instead of engaging in baseless attempts to mislead voters and Swift-boat fellow Democrats. As a lifelong Democrat, I hope that my friends and neighbors will examine the records of all the candidates running in the 11th Congressional District this year. I’m sure they will find Gerry Connolly is the most capable of bringing about progressive change in Congress. Time and again, he has shown his outstanding leadership as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
We need exceptional leaders this year and we need straight talk about their records, not ugly innuendo. That’s why I’ll vote for Gerry Connolly next Tuesday.

Janet Carver
Springfield

Vote Gerry Connolly in June 10 primaries

A Letter to the Editor from the Potomac News.