Campaign season in full swing at Rep. Connolly’s St. Patrick’s Day Fete
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| Rep. Connolly |
The Kena Shriners Temple in Fairfax was a sea of green March 17 as
hundreds of local Democrats turned out for Rep. Gerry Connolly’s annual St.
Patrick’s Day Fete.
hundreds of local Democrats turned out for Rep. Gerry Connolly’s annual St.
Patrick’s Day Fete.
Just about every elected Democratic leader from Northern
Virginia was there, including U.S. Rep. Don Beyer; Virginia Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam; Virginia
Attorney General Mark Herring; Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova; Mason Supervisor
Penny Gross; Mason School Board Member Sandy Evans; State Sen. Chap Peterson; State
Sen. Dave Marsden, Del. Marcus Simon – plus many candidates for the Board of
Supervisors and school board.
“We share common values,” Connolly told the crowd. “I’m
proud to be a member of a party that supports civil rights for everybody.”
proud to be a member of a party that supports civil rights for everybody.”
During the last election as the climate in Congress got more divisive, the message Connolly heard from
voters was, “are you happy up there? How do you stand it?” His answer, which he
said is appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day, is “it really does help to be Irish.
You maintain a sense of humor and you don’t mind a good fight.” In the end, “we
will prevail.”
voters was, “are you happy up there? How do you stand it?” His answer, which he
said is appropriate for St. Patrick’s Day, is “it really does help to be Irish.
You maintain a sense of humor and you don’t mind a good fight.” In the end, “we
will prevail.”
Offices up for election in November 2015 include all members of the state Senate and House of Delegates and in Fairfax County, all supervisors, all school board members, the commonwealth’s attorney, sheriff, clerk of the court, and all members of the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
A presidential straw poll at the event was won by Hillary Clinton, with 48 percent of the vote. Former Sen. Jim Webb came in second with 15 percent, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) got 10 percent.
