Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly is taking on Leslie Byrne for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District:
Gerald E. Connolly, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, will make his bid for Congress official today, kicking off what is sure to be a fierce fight for the Democratic nomination in Northern Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.
Connolly (D) joins former congresswoman and state senator Leslie L. Byrne, community activist Douglas J. Denneny and physical therapist Lori P. Alexander in the race for the Democratic nomination. Businessman Keith S. Fimian and county school board member Stephen M. Hunt are seeking the Republican nomination.
The contest became wide open after U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) announced last week that he will retire in January after 14 years representing Northern Virginia. His popularity and influence have enabled him to hold on in a district that has recently leaned increasingly toward Democratic candidates. He is promoting Fimian, a wealthy business owner who could put his own money into the race, but the congressman’s retirement is being viewed as an opportunity for Democrats to seize the district.
Connolly will file paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission today, about a month after establishing an exploratory committee to determine whether a campaign would be practical.
“The public outpouring — there’s almost nowhere I go where I’m not encouraged by the public to undertake this task,” he said.
This should be an interesting little matchup.
