VA-11, you got yourself a pro-choice congressman in Gerry Connolly

When Obama became the first Democrat to take Virginia in 44 years, Viriginia was also able to celebrate the win of pro-choice Gerry Connolly to VA-11:

Connolly, 58, chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, brings the number of Democrats in Virginia's 11-member congressional delegation to four. He defeated Republican newcomer Keith S. Fimian, 52, to replace retiring Rep. Tom Davis (R) in Virginia's 11th District, where voters in Fairfax and Prince William counties have increasingly chosen Democrats in statewide political contests this decade.

"The voters spoke," Connolly told supporters last night. "They said, 'Enough, be gone, you've had your day. It's time for a change.'

In the 11th District, which encompasses much of central and southern Fairfax and a large swath of Prince William, Davis, a popular Republican first elected 14 years ago, was able to win reelection repeatedly with moderate views on social issues and strong advocacy on such bread-and-butter issues as the federal workforce and transportation. Fimian was unable to overcome either the demographics of the district or the popularity of his opponent, who was overwhelmingly reelected to the county chairman's job just a year ago.

This was true despite a slight financial advantage attributable primarily to Fimian's early campaign decision to lend himself $325,000. As of Oct. 15, Fimian had raised nearly $1.4 million. Connolly, by the same date, had raised nearly $1.8 million but spent about $700,000 in a competitive primary race against Leslie L. Byrne.

Connolly campaigned on a promise to continue Davis's practical, business-friendly approach to such issues as rail to Dulles International Airport, which he supports. He also espoused a distinctly Democratic view on such issues as abortion rights and stem-cell research, which he supports, and the war in Iraq, which he opposes.

Connolly also sought to draw a stark contrast between his "progressive" views and those of Fimian, whom he portrayed as a closet conservative who occasionally hid his party affiliation and downplayed his membership in the conservative social organization Legatus.

Congratulations to the Connolly campaign for defeating anti-choice Keith Fimian!

An exuberant Gerald E. Connolly speaks to supporters at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner after the Fairfax Democrat won Virginia's 11th Congressional District seat. (By Richard A. Lipski -- The Washington Post)

 (Photo source)