About 11th District
This will be the first election using new district maps based on 2010 Census data. Virginia's 11th congressional district includes the City of Fairfax, most of Fairfax County and the eastern portion of Prince William County. The Towns of Clifton, Haymarket, Occoquan, and Vienna are also located in the 11th District. U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D), who was first elected to the U.S. House in 2008, represents more than 650,000 residents.
"The massive defense and domestic spending cuts that will occur if Congress is unable to pass a balanced deficit reduction plan is a real threat to our region."
—Gerald E. Connolly (D-Incumbent)
"Additional revenue will come by growing the economy and expanding the base, not by raising taxes."
—Christopher S. Perkins (R)
In the 2012 redistricting, The Hill, a newspaper that publishes daily when Congress is in session, notes that Connolly inadvertently benefitted from a Republican plan to build up Republican incumbent districts in the redistricting process.
Connolly's 11th district lost portions of its Republican base to neighboring Frank Wolf's 10th district, resulting in a more Democratic district for Connolly. According to 2010 census data, Virginia's 11th district is one of the wealthiest congressional districts in the nation, with couples earning an average median annual income of more than $90,000. On election day, Connolly will face Republican challenger Chris Perkins, and four Independent candidates: Mark Gibson, Joe Galdo, Chris DeCarlo and Peter Marchetti.
Gerald E. Connolly (Democrat, Incumbent)
*Website: http://connolly.house.gov
*Facebook: www.facebook.com/CongressmanGerryConnolly
*Twitter:@GerryConnolly
*For information on district offices and other ways to contact Congressman Connolly, go to http://connolly.house.gov/contact-gerry/
U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly is currently serving his second term in Congress. Prior to his election to Congress, he served 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including five years as chairman. He lives in Mantua with his wife Cathy, and daughter Caitlin.
Money raised: $1,715,721
Christopher S. Perkins (Republican)
Email: Chris@Perkins2012.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PerkinsforCongress
Twitter: @CPerkins2012
Chris Perkins is a retired United States Army Green Beret, combat veteran and small-business owner who has multiple advanced degrees in national security affairs. He and his wife Petra have lived in Northern Virginia since 1991 and have two children and a grandson.
Money raised: $304,768
Joseph F. Galdo (Green Party)
Website: www.joegaldo.com
Galdo is a 30-year resident of Fairfax County, married with five adult children, and holds a PhD in physics from the University of Virginia. Retired from the U.S. Department of Energy, he previously worked in the Department of Defense and in the private sector, and also operated his own business.
Money raised: $4,917
Mark T. Gibson
Website: Gibson4congress2012.com
Twitter: @Gibson4congress
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Gibson4congress2012
YouTube: Gibson4congress2012
Money raised: $0
A resident of Fairfax since 1997 and a lifelong Washington area resident, Gibson holds a Master's degree in economics and has more than 20 years of management success. He currently serves as chief operating officer for a small business in Fairfax. He has never held or run for any political office.
Christopher F. DeCarlo (independent)
Website: www.honestyandethics.com
Twitter: @86corruption
Email: cdecarlo@fairfaxpropane.com
Money raised: $0
Q&A With 11th District Candidates
DeCarlo Answers With Lyrics
Chris DeCarlo offered the lyrics from his YouTube music, rap video "Fight for Our Lives" as response to the Connection’s questions.
Q. How would you address the looming defense cuts? Are you willing to raise taxes to resolve the deficit?
I’m the fighter that’s not on the take,
Swinging for the laws we got to make.
But corruption’s the Champ in this town,
I’m ready to fight; I’m ready to get down.
Put me in a match, I can make him bleed,
A quick left and a right, he’s on his knees.
He buys everyone, he’s all about the Bengi’s,
I’m not doing this to meet all my friend’s needs.
Character, ability, strength and the truth,
These virtues flow straight from my roots.
We work together to meet our demands,
I’m not afraid to get dirt on my hands.
Q: Many polls indicate that voters have a "trust deficit" in our government leaders. How would you go about restoring citizen’s trust in our government?
They keep on giving us the same two choices,
Tell us what to think with the same tired voices.
How could this happen, we were never consulted,
I sit in disbelief, I’m amazed and insulted.
Vote for me so we can finally begin,
To right all the wrongs and end all the spin.
For and by the people is the way it’s gotta be,
So knuckle up cast your vote and get behind me.
Q: What do you see as the top three social issues of our times, and what is the role of government in addressing these issues?
This mission is important, we’ve got to succeed,
We’ve got to stop’em or we’re gonna continue to bleed.
The cash keeps coming motivatin’ the lies,
We’ve got to cut the flow so that the truth can survive.
Never working with each other cause they’re just so set,
They’re blasting each other every chance that they get.
They’re spending all their time on the left and on the right,
While we become the refugees of that fight.
Answer to Bonus Question: I am the first Congressional candidate to create his own music, rap, videos and the first Congressional candidate to rap about political corruption.
Editor’s Note: The Connection asked each candidate to answer the following questions, and limit their answers to 100 words or less, along with an optional "bonus" question. Peter M. Marchetti, an Independent Green Party candidate, did not submit answers to The Connection’s questions. All campaign finance data was provided by the Virginia Public Access Project, and is current through June 30, 2012.
Q: Virginia’s 11th district is the wealthiest in the country in terms of median income. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. means a large number of federal employees and government contractors. How would you address the looming defense cuts? Are you willing to raise taxes to resolve the deficit?
Connolly: The massive defense and domestic spending cuts that will occur if Congress is unable to pass a balanced deficit reduction plan is a real threat to our region. Protecting and growing Northern Virginia's economy has always been my top priority and that's why I have called for Congress to cancel its recess and come back to Washington to solve this crisis. We need a bi-partisan plan that includes both revenue and spending cuts to balance our budget and avoid reckless cuts that would harm our local economy.
Perkins: The 11th District will be second only to Virginia's eastern shore in terms of the hardest hit region in America by the combined trillion dollars of defense cuts that Mr. Connolly voted in favor of. With a half trillion dollars of these defense cuts already moving forward, the additional $492 billion that is part of 'sequestration' must be replaced with a more balanced plan that targets non-security related government programs. The worst thing we can do is raise taxes in a depressed economy. Additional revenue will come by growing the economy and expanding the base, not by raising taxes.
Galdo: A combination of tax reform and moderate cuts to the defense budget and other discretionary programs is the pragmatic approach that will provide for a strong defense, minimize the impact on the economy, preserve low tax rates for most Americans, and protect programs for the working poor, the disabled, and retirees. The key is moving to a simple, fair, and responsible tax code that expands the tax base rather than raising rates on middle-income families. My plan, detailed on my website, is estimated to yield a budget surplus of $55 billion and enables us to start paying down the debt.
Gibson: The severe defense cuts of sequestration associated with the Budget Control Act of 2011 must not occur; these cuts are disruptive and damaging. Instead, I support measured steps to reduce Defense expenditures by paring antiquated programs, modernizing employee benefits, reducing facilities and infrastructure, and eliminating duplicative overhead. As a community we need to diversify our economy with greater focus on information technology, medical technology, and academia. I favor a complete overhaul of the tax code to collect taxes in an equitable manner; broadening the tax base will result in some taxpayers paying more.
Q: "In Nothing We Trust?" Many polls indicate that voters have a "trust deficit" in our government leaders. How would you go about restoring citizen’s trust in our government?
Connolly: One of the great things about representing Virginia's 11th district is that I get to be in my district every morning, every night, and every weekend. In the morning, I face the same challenging commute that many of my constituents deal with. In the evening and on weekends, I'm able to meet with them at civic associations, community events, and even the grocery store. I think that personal contact keeps me in close touch and gives everyone an opportunity to ask me where I stand and hold me accountable. I like that about my job and believe it helps to restore some of that trust in government.
Perkins: I won't lie to them. That includes the much practiced art of telling half-truths, which I was raised to believe is the same as telling a half-lie. I also pledge 100 percent transparency in governance. You will be able to tell how I voted and, as importantly, why I voted a particular way, simply by going to my website. Finally, as someone who has helped bring warring factions together to find peace, I will work with members of both political parties to find common ground on the issues. You can compromise on legislation without compromising your principles or your values.
Galdo: I would strive to be an example of responsible and open government: demonstrating integrity and independence from special interests and party influence in working for the best interests of Northern Virginia and the nation; establishing more meaningful and frequent communications with voters; and taking a leadership role in achieving the goals promised to voters.
I support a six-term limit for the House of Representatives, "no budget, no pay" legislation, stronger ethics reform, and campaign finance reform. I would like to see a sharing of power through proportional distribution of committee and subcommittee chairs instead of majority party take all.
Gibson: As an independent candidate and Congressman, voters will know that I have no interests other than maintaining their trust and providing effective representation. I am not part of a political party or movement with its own agenda; I have not signed any pledges to constrain positive action; and I have not accepted money from anyone other than voters of the 11th District.
Q: What do you see as the top three social issues of our times, and what is the role of government in addressing these issues?
Connolly: Clearly there is an effort, led by politicians in Virginia like (Attorney General) Ken Cuccinelli, to impose an extreme social agenda that would harm women's health. They want to restrict a woman's right to choose, allow insurance companies to deny coverage for birth control, and even shut down organizations that provide women with critical health care services like breast cancer screenings. I will always stand up to ensure that women have access to affordable birth control and are not charged more by insurance companies just because they are women. Government should not interfere in women's private health care decisions.
Perkins: I receive more questions about abortion rights than any other social issue. I believe the government should never come between a woman, her doctor or her family, nor do I believe that taxpayer funds should be used for such a procedure. How we should educate our children comes in second, an issue I believe is best left to the individual states to drive competition and choice. Illegal immigration also generates a lot of interest. The federal government needs to secure our borders, but we must also determine a pathway to legal status for the 11 million who are already here.
Galdo: Corruption and greed, civil rights, and drug addiction top my list. Government policies that feed the growing disparity in the distribution of income and wealth, that have obliterated past progress in reducing poverty and that precipitated the great recession, must be reversed. Congress must halt erosion of basic rights, such as due process, privacy, and freedom of religion that has occurred in recent years, and find the correct balance between conflicting rights and freedoms, and between liberty and security. And, it is time to declare the war on drugs a failure and find a better solution.
Gibson: The paramount issues are personal liberty and accountability as well as economic freedom and responsibility. Our rights are nationwide, not statewide. Government’s role is to enforce our rights and liberties, and ensure that individuals and business can compete on their strengths in a competitive free market. We also need to ensure that the less fortunate and underserved get the attention and encouragement they need to participate and contribute to the best of their abilities.
Bonus Question: Tell us something about yourself that most people don't know.
Connolly: One of the proudest moments of my career was my vote to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It was one of the very first votes I cast, and as the father of a daughter in college, it was particularly gratifying to know that she will begin her career in a nation that finally recognizes that she—and all women—deserve equal pay for equal work. Being able to give my daughter a framed copy of that bill was an incredible feeling.
Perkins: After college, I worked for four years as an offshore commercial fisherman and subsequently enlisted in the Army after listening to President Reagan's inaugural address.
Galdo: I sang in the chorus that accompanied Leonard Slatkin and the National Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s 8th Symphony, "Symphony of a Thousand," at the Kennedy Center in 2006.
Gibson: I served as an officer with Ocean City, Md., Police Department for the summer of 1984 between my first and second years of graduate school.