Rep.-elect Connolly knows his constituents

By Jason Miller
Executive Editor
FederalNewsRadio

Congressman-elect Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) says he is very similar to the person he is replacing on Capitol Hill — Tom Davis (R-Va.).

Both came up through local government and worked for large government contractors. And their local government ties, make them both pragmatists.

“We both govern from the center and are uncomfortable with ideological extremes of either party,” Connolly told FederalNewsRadio in an interview.

“When you come from local government, your orientation is very practical. You’ve to get something done. It is not about bloviating. It’s about trying to get results. I’m very focused that way. I think Tom was as well.”

Connolly won the open seat Tuesday by garnering 55 percent of the vote over his challengers, Republican candidate Keith Fimian and Green Party candidate Joseph Oddo.

Davis announced his decision to step down in January after 14 years in Congress.

Connolly ran for Davis’ seat trying to appeal to many of the same voters Davis did for so long.

Connolly’s experience with Stanford Research Institute and SAIC where he worked in the federal market gives him solid insight into the challenges that face a majority of his constituents-federal workers and federal contractors.

“Obviously the congressman from the 11th district has to be an advocate for the employees and contractors,” he says. “It is a key part of who and what you are.”

To that end, Connolly says he has an interest in the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

“With Tom’s departure, there is no northern Virginian on that committee so that is a void that needs to be addressed,” he says.

“The other committee that for sure matters to northern Virginia is transportation. Next year we reauthorize the Federal Transportation Act. It really matters that the congressman from 11th district is fighting for the interests of northern Virginia.”

Connolly says he has heard from contractors and federal employees during his campaign and they each have different concerns.

He says federal workers are concerned about workplace, retirement and pay parity issues.

Connolly says health care benefits and other issues such as telework and transportation also are areas he will need to consider.

For contractors, Connolly says many vendors are anxious about the future.

“A number of people in my party perhaps have demonized the industry because of the actions of a few bad apples,” he says.

“They are anxious that with Tom’s departure to make sure that the person who replaced Tom is an equal advocate for the industry and making sure there is a fair and equitable treatment of federal contractors.”

He adds that he wants to be an advocate on Capitol Hill for federal workers and contractors, especially with the spending crunch that is expected.

“Having a voice that is sympathetic in the councils of decision making in congress and hopefully in the new administration is very important,” Connolly says.

He adds:

Congressmen Jim Moran (D-Va.), Frank Wolf (R-Va.) and now myself obviously see ourselves as strong advocates, but we will have to win other adherence to that cause. Not everybody has larger federal workforce in their district and not everyone shares the same sympathy for the men and women who make such a contribution to our country. Spreading that message and educating my future colleagues in the Congress about how important that is as we go through these tough times also will be another important challenge moving ahead.

—
On the Web:

Gerry Connolly Campaign – Web site

(Copyright 2008 by FederalNewsRadio.com. All Rights Reserved.)

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.