Gerry Speaks at Obama Office Opening

Global Warming Cause?

Fairfax Times has a letter to the editor.

Fimian Isn’t Convinced of Global Warming Cause

by Joan Eisner

I visited my local congressional candidate’s office to ask him what his plan was to fight global warming. As it turns out, Keith Fimian isn’t convinced that humans are contributing to global warming. If there’s anything that will make me drive to the voting booth and nag my friends to vote it’s the thought of a representative in one of the most educated districts in the country not even recognizing humans’ impact on global warming.

CNN Covers the Housing Initiative

Check out the video.

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)

Vote Gerry Connolly in June 10 primaries

A Letter to the Editor from the Potomac News.

CQ Politics Top Cash Gainers

CQ Politics released a list of Congressional candidates who raised the most and spent the least, leaving them with a high cash-on-hand total.  We made the list!

Congressional candidates always aspire to show big overall receipts when they file their quarterly reports to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), as they did to meet a deadline that passed on Tuesday. But what is even better is to raise a lot of money and spend little of it, leaving the candidate with a daunting reserve of “cash on hand” to be disbursed later in the campaign…

7) Gerry Connolly, Democrat, Virginia’s 11th ($422,000 cash on hand; increase of $422,000)

Connolly is chairman of the board of supervisors in Fairfax County, which comprises the bulk of the population of this politically competitive district near Washington, D.C., left open by retiring seven-term Republican Rep. Thomas M. Davis III . Connolly is a leading Democratic contender in a four-candidate primary election on June 10 that also includes Leslie Byrne, a former U.S. House member (1993-95) and state senator; Doug Denneny, a naval aviator who won the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service during the Iraq War; and Lori Alexander, a physical therapist. Republican businessman Keith Fimian will be defending the district for his party.

A Fluid Primary — Progressive Leaders Shift to Connolly

The Washington Post’s Virginia Politics blog highlights the fluid nature of the primary.

Former state Sen. Joseph V. Gartlan Jr., for 28 years one of the most liberal voices of the General Assembly, has endorsed Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, for the Democratic nomination in the 11th Congressional District.

The endorsement provides a boost for Connolly in an area where he needs it: among liberal party activists, with whom his principal opponent, former state senator Leslie L. Byrne, has strong roots. Such voters will be crucial in the June 10 primary.

Things are happening rapidly as more and more Democratic leaders and activists in the 11th CD join the Connolly team.

Gartlan’s endorsement is notable for two reasons: As a liberal, he is ideologically close to Byrne. And that leads to point No. 2, which is that Gartlan had already endorsed Byrne, but he changed his mind after Connolly got in the race.

Senator Gartlan pointed out the rationale behind his decision.

“It was more a question of Gerry’s enormous capability. I think he’s probably been one of the most effective chairman of the board in the history of Fairfax County. And I think the Congress could use that kind of talent.”