Tuesday is the Democratic primary in the 11th Congressional district.  With the trends in Fairfax County (and throughout the state), it's fair to say that the Democratic nominee -- whoever it is -- will be the presumptive favorite to win the Congressional seat in November.

I am familiar with the candidates.  I've known Gerry Connolly for over ten years in local politics.  Doug Denneny was a great support on my 2007 campaign and is head of Mantua Civic Association in Fairfax.  I've seen Lori Alexander speak several times.  They are all fine people.

Leslie Byrne is unique.  We served in the Assembly together and then ran against each other in 2005 for the Lt. Governor nomination.  We didn't agree on every issue but I will confirm one thing -- Leslie was definitely proud to be a Democrat before it was cool. 

A couple issues stand out.

In early 2003, the Virginia Assembly was facing a massive budget deficit.  We were freezing salaries, raising tuitions and cutting back services across the board.  Meanwhile, the Richmond Republicans wanted to repeal the estate tax so that multi-million dollar estates could be inherited tax free.  What a travesty.

Because the business lobby had declared it a "pro business" bill, most Democrats were too scared to speak up.  At that time, our numbers in Richmond were woeful:  16 Senators and 34 Delegates.  Opposing the estate tax repeal was considered political suicide. 

Only a few Dems spoke up.  I was one.  Leslie Byrne was another.  We didn't win the floor votes but at least we brought enough negative attention so that Governor Warner could veto the bill.  His veto was sustained. 

That year, Democrats picked up House seats -- our first gain in a generation.  A year later, with Warner's leadership we eliminated the state sales tax on groceries and medicine, a long-overdue measure to help ordinary people, not the super-wealthy.  Democrats were back.  We actually stood for something. 

In 2006, after the LG race, Leslie stood up for Jim Webb in the Dem primary.  Again, it was a small band of us who had a vision that Democrats could win back the U.S. Senate.  Without her help, we could not have won that primary -- and would not have won the general. 

Leslie spoke out not just when it was popular.  She was also there when the chips were down.  For that reason, I will be supporting her Tuesday.  I hope that others will do the same. 








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