Indies Snubbed at Connolly, Perkins Event

WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Two major party candidates came to Woodbridge on Wednesday and worked to convince a handful of business owners why they’re the right choice for congress.

Incumbent Gerald “Gerry” Connolly (D-Fairfax, Prince William) and Republican Chris Perkins were the only candidates invited by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce to speak to members who live or work in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which includes portions of Fairfax and eastern Prince William County.

While the two invited candidates spoke, several independent candidates who will also appear on Virginia’s ballot said they were not asked to participate. 

Connolly

Gerry Connolly touted his bill signed by the president in 2010 that aims to get more federal agencies’ employees to telework.

Now he said he wants more private businesses in Prince William County and elsewhere to get onboard the telework bandwagon, and said teleworking saw a surge this week when Superstorm Sandy prompted the closure of federal offices.

A longtime member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and congressman for the 11th District since President Obama took office, Connolly said Prince William County is like a second home for him.

“I promised I was going to make Prince William County virtually my home, my wife believes that is. When not in session I’m here at least once a week,” he said.

Touting himself as a pro-business democrat, Connolly said he worked to obtain federal monies that were spent “wisely” on transportation improvements at Quantico, and in western Prince William County at Interstate 66 and U.S. 29.

The Democrat said he is also pushing Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative to look into new sources of renewable energy. He also said congress needs to raise the nation’s $16.4 trillion debt ceiling to avoid large cuts in federal spending looming in January.

Connolly also questioned the dedication of his opponent by questioning his voting record, saying Perkins did not vote in his precinct during previous elections.

Perkins

Chris Perkins immediately laid out his vision as governing if elected.

“The primary function of government is to provide for defense, facilitate business and set conditions for free enterprise, and to protect individual liberties,” Perkins told the group of 12 people.

The retired Army Colonel and Special Forces Green Beret said business owners in the 11th District didn’t want healthcare reform known as Obama Care, and he took issue with Connolly questioning his voting record over the years, as he said some took that as a swipe at his military service.

“I had people coming up to me with Connolly and Kaine stickers to apologize about a perceived slight to verterans… I’ve been shot at by bullets; I’m not going to worry about this sort of thing,” said Perkins.

Perkins said he didn’t vote last year because he was out of town helping a friend who was running in another political race.

The Republican said he would push to eliminate U.S. energy dependence over the next 10 years, and said he’s not a local Republican Party favorite because he has vowed to vote on issues instead of with his party.

Perkins said he hated the phrase all politics is local, and before had noted that states – not the federal government — should decide how to implement things like education spending.

Where were the independents?

Wednesday’s event was catered to Democrats and Republicans. That has independent candidates whose names will also appear on the voting ballot Nov. 6 crying foul.

There are three independents, and one Green Party candidate who will also appear on the ballot, but none were invited by the Prince William Chamber to speak.

Mark Gibson, a Fairfax businessman running a grassroots campaign, said he felt excluded from the event.

“I found out about the event late [Tuesday] afternoon. I won’t attend because I wasn’t invited and don’t want to cause any disruption. But as a member of the business community and a valid contestant in this race, I find that including only the major party candidates deprives voters of a fair evaluation of their choices on November 6,” said Gibson in a statement.

He went onto say several attempts to introduce himself to the Prince William Chamber of Commerce went unanswered.

Chamber President Robert Clapper said his staff is diligent about returning phone calls.

“The event has been published on our website, and I had not heard of his campaign until I saw his press release [Tuesday night] at 9 p.m. And I think by looking at his press release, it’s telling about his lack of effort of reaching out to us,” said Clapper.

The Virginia State Board of Elections regularly publishes a full list of candidates to appear on ballots on their public website.

Chris Decarlo, who for the past four years has run for offices like Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and now congressman, uses a series of rap videos posted to his website because he says organizations like the Chamber and news media regularly overlook independent candidates.

“I’m only being ignored by the status quo. Everyone loves my message and the voters want something else. And like I say in my lyrics, they only give us two choices in these campaigns and it’s time for a change,” said Decarlo.