Democratic Candidates to Succeed Gerry Connolly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Why are those your only choices? There are many others much better than Roma. How about Shin?

[Anonymous]

I know Amy Roma personally and she is a great alternative to "business as usual". She is smart, hardworking, and isn't afraid of a fight.

[Anonymous]

The "firehouse primary" for the Dems is June 28 from 7 AM - 7 PM. It might not be at your usual polling place. Find where to vote (and all the candidates) here: https://www.cd11votes.com/

Early voting is at the Government Center June 24-26 from 3 - 8 PM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The "firehouse primary" for the Dems is June 28 from 7 AM - 7 PM. It might not be at your usual polling place. Find where to vote (and all the candidates) here: https://www.cd11votes.com/

Early voting is at the Government Center June 24-26 from 3 - 8 PM.

Oh, sorry, I was wrong. That website doesn't list all the candidates, but does still have info on when and where to vote.

This article from the Fairfax Times has details about the Republican Primary as well. https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/special-election-primary-for-connolly-s-seat-scheduled/article_5976af9f-6267-409c-bed9-a464b1158ac3.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Walkinshaw is our local representative and I was impressed by him. He always comes to our annual HOA meeting and is helpful, explains what’s happening at the county level, takes notes to get back to people if necessary, and just generally seems interested in helping people and being responsive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Walkinshaw is our local representative and I was impressed by him. He always comes to our annual HOA meeting and is helpful, explains what’s happening at the county level, takes notes to get back to people if necessary, and just generally seems interested in helping people and being responsive.

LOL. I joke that Walkinshaw is my DH's new BFF. DH has called his office twice in the last few years to complain about lack of snow plowing and street light issues. Both were taken care of immediately.

I was not happy with Pekarsky on the FCPS Board. Walkinshaw it is. I don't care if people call him a career politician. We have seen what a celebrity businessman does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Walkinshaw is our local representative and I was impressed by him. He always comes to our annual HOA meeting and is helpful, explains what’s happening at the county level, takes notes to get back to people if necessary, and just generally seems interested in helping people and being responsive.

LOL. I joke that Walkinshaw is my DH's new BFF. DH has called his office twice in the last few years to complain about lack of snow plowing and street light issues. Both were taken care of immediately.

I was not happy with Pekarsky on the FCPS Board. Walkinshaw it is. I don't care if people call him a career politician. We have seen what a celebrity businessman does.

+1 I don't mind a "career politician." I'd like my representative to be responsive and know how to legislate/govern. Walkinshaw has experience doing that.

[Anonymous]

Well, Stella has lots of money being spent. TV commercial tonight. Second large flyer today. One small flyer from Shin. Big flyer from Roma. No issues mentioned. Just helping in Afghanistan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gerry Connolly, who has represented VA-11 in Congress for some time, has announced he is not seeking re-election due to health regions (a recurrence of cancer, unfortunately).

He has endorsed James Walkinshaw, the current Braddock District member of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, to succeed him. Walkinshaw was also previously Connolly's chief of staff for almost a decade in Congress.

Separately, Stella Pekarsky, a current member of the Virginia state member and FCPS School Board member, has also announced she is seeking Connolly's seat.

Walkinshaw has impressed me as a thoughtful member of the Board of Supervisors. He would look out for NoVa residents, including federal employees, and be a consistent, principled voice of opposition to the dangerous policies of Donald Trump. Conversely, Pekarsky was one of the least impressive School Board members in recent FCPS history. She was part of the group that kept schools in Fairfax closed for many months, and did nothing during her four years on the School Board to address the overcrowding at Chantilly HS, which the kids of many of her constituents attended. She rolled over when other Democrats like Karen Corbett Sanders and Karl Frisch pushed through unnecessary capital projects that diverted spending to schools in their districts. She is loud and obnoxious, but rarely in command of the facts. The Republicans on Capital Hill would chew her up and spit her out, and she would be easily ridiculed by the right-wing media.

Walkinshaw is by far the better choice.

Stella just got into her current office and now she wants to be in Congress? Frankly, she is a terrible candidate. I just got one of her negative ads in the mail, trashing Walkinshaw. All she says is that she is going to be anti-MAGA. That feels like a low bar for what is expected of any Democrat. At least Walkinshaw, Martinez, Shin, and Roma have reasons for running that connect with voters.

My vote is going to Walkinshaw. Connolly knew the political talent in this region and his endorsement means he knew which candidate could stand up and represent this district the best.

[Anonymous]

She had a rally today with unions, I think. Lots of young people--they look too young to vote. Maybe, friends of her kids?

[Anonymous]

I keep getting spam messages from Stella Pekarsky identifying herself as “the Democrat running to replace” Gerry Connolly. As if she’s the only Democrat and not just one in a crowded primary field.

I assume that’s Ben Tribbett’s campaign strategy but it won’t make me forget how ineffective Pekarsky was a School Board member. Her ambition far outweighs her achievements. Frankly, she doesn’t belong in the state legislature, much less Congress. Knowing that she takes casino money makes me like her even less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, Stella has lots of money being spent. TV commercial tonight. Second large flyer today. One small flyer from Shin. Big flyer from Roma. No issues mentioned. Just helping in Afghanistan.

Where’s the candidate who has a brain to understand that having lots of money doesn’t improve education? Someone who, at least, can send a bill to raise the minimum age for driving? Someone who cares about our teens safety, not just for voting.

[Anonymous]

I'll be researching to identify the candidates opposed to the Tyson's casino. Blindly favoring typical D policy issues of higher taxes and more wealth transfer is less relevant to me than the prospect of a casino in my backyard, a notion which gained traction only in the wake of massive political donations to elected officials who would not have to personally live with the consequences. Which candidate is taking a principled position on that subject, rather than one driven by campaign donations from those who will profit from it?

[Anonymous]

Whoever runs, they would be smart to promote the support of our government work force as Connolly did.
How 'bout starting with pay compression?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be researching to identify the candidates opposed to the Tyson's casino. Blindly favoring typical D policy issues of higher taxes and more wealth transfer is less relevant to me than the prospect of a casino in my backyard, a notion which gained traction only in the wake of massive political donations to elected officials who would not have to personally live with the consequences. Which candidate is taking a principled position on that subject, rather than one driven by campaign donations from those who will profit from it?

So far, all the politicians have been in favor of a casino or abstain from commenting. The official party position appears to be that Northern Virginia needs a casino to send money down state (or commonwealth if you are pedantic.)

Even Fairfax County wants it if they can get a bigger piece of the pie.

https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/01/29/casino-bill-would-be-really-bad-financial-deal-for-fairfax-county-board-says/