There is grumbling here in Fairfax County where I live - albeit in Don Beyer's district - about challenging Connolly next year. Locals are LIVID with him regarding his callous comments. The most generous thing I can say about him is that he's a throwback to a time when the Democratic Party was very much the minority party here - before 2…
There is grumbling here in Fairfax County where I live - albeit in Don Beyer's district - about challenging Connolly next year. Locals are LIVID with him regarding his callous comments. The most generous thing I can say about him is that he's a throwback to a time when the Democratic Party was very much the minority party here - before 2004, the Republican Presidential candidate won the county EVERY time except in 1964 going back to 1944. Those days are very much over with Republicans holding ONE major office here - the Springfield District of the Board of Supervisors - and Connolly always a centrist Democrat has never fully caught up with that fact. He has goodwill here with events like his annual St Patrick's Day Fete, but even that hasn't stopped the grumbling. We shall see what happens.
To Beyer's credit, he does have regular town halls and attends local events. He also is very good on keeping close tabs on important issues here, i.e. coming out strongly AGAINST building a casino in Tysons (which I agree with 100 per cent). But yes, the realist in me expect him to be done in a few election cycles to make way for some younger blood. The VA-8 Democratic primary to succeed him when he either dies or retires though is going to be a mess.
I remember that 2010 race well. The fact that he won re-election there in 2010 at all shows he’s a pretty good candidate. The district at the time was drawn to re-elected Republican Tom Davis (the Fairfax county chair prior to Connolly) and excluded as many heavily Democratic areas as possible.
That last Republican standing, Springfield district Supervisor Pat Herrity, is now running for Lieutenant Governor. His father, Jack Herrity, was Fairfax Board chair for three terms in the 1970s and 80s, when the county's population and business expansion was, well, phenomenal. Unfortunately the transportation infrastructure didn't keep up with the population growth and economic development, and gridlocked voters booted him when he ran for a fourth term.
Not going to help him survive a primary challenge next year. His district is a D+18 Congressional District and not far from federal government agencies.
There is grumbling here in Fairfax County where I live - albeit in Don Beyer's district - about challenging Connolly next year. Locals are LIVID with him regarding his callous comments. The most generous thing I can say about him is that he's a throwback to a time when the Democratic Party was very much the minority party here - before 2004, the Republican Presidential candidate won the county EVERY time except in 1964 going back to 1944. Those days are very much over with Republicans holding ONE major office here - the Springfield District of the Board of Supervisors - and Connolly always a centrist Democrat has never fully caught up with that fact. He has goodwill here with events like his annual St Patrick's Day Fete, but even that hasn't stopped the grumbling. We shall see what happens.
Yeah, it’s definitely not 2010 where Connolly losing was a real risk. The NoVA talent bench is deep.
On that note, Beyer should consider calling it a career, too
To Beyer's credit, he does have regular town halls and attends local events. He also is very good on keeping close tabs on important issues here, i.e. coming out strongly AGAINST building a casino in Tysons (which I agree with 100 per cent). But yes, the realist in me expect him to be done in a few election cycles to make way for some younger blood. The VA-8 Democratic primary to succeed him when he either dies or retires though is going to be a mess.
I remember that 2010 race well. The fact that he won re-election there in 2010 at all shows he’s a pretty good candidate. The district at the time was drawn to re-elected Republican Tom Davis (the Fairfax county chair prior to Connolly) and excluded as many heavily Democratic areas as possible.
That last Republican standing, Springfield district Supervisor Pat Herrity, is now running for Lieutenant Governor. His father, Jack Herrity, was Fairfax Board chair for three terms in the 1970s and 80s, when the county's population and business expansion was, well, phenomenal. Unfortunately the transportation infrastructure didn't keep up with the population growth and economic development, and gridlocked voters booted him when he ran for a fourth term.
What did Connolly say?
He made comments saying federal workers should just do what Musk wants and submit five things they did.
Not going to help him survive a primary challenge next year. His district is a D+18 Congressional District and not far from federal government agencies.
Given those comments plus the fact that he has esophageal cancer, I wouldn't be surprised if he hangs it up next year.