Virginia's 11th congressional district election, 2010
Virginia's 11th congressional district election, 2010 was an election held to determine who would represent Virginia's 11th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives during the 112th Congress. The seat that was contested is located in Northern Virginia, and includes most of Fairfax County, all of the city of Fairfax, and part of eastern Prince William County. Democrat Gerry Connolly first won the seat in 2008. The Republican nominee was Keith Fimian.[1]
The result was too close to call immediately following the election. At the end of the day on November 2, Connolly led Fimian by only 487 votes, with canvassing and certification still to be completed.[2] After canvassing was completed and results from two outstanding precincts and provisional ballots were counted, Connolly increased his lead to 921 votes (0.41%). Although Virginia election law allows the losing candidate to request a recount on November 22 if the margin is less than 1%, the recount is at the government's expense if the margin is less than 0.5%,[2] and the Fimian campaign had alluded to the possibility of a recount in a statement,[3] Fimian eventually conceded the race to Connolly on November 9.[4] Connolly won by 981 votes, or 0.43%.[5]
Background
The 2010 race was a rematch of the 2008 race, when Connolly defeated Fimian 55% to 43%. Connolly was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
Fimian faced a primary challenge from moderate Fairfax County Board of Supervisors member Pat Herrity. A bruising primary fight ensued and the Washington Post described the race as "one of the nastiest contests in the commonwealth," with each campaign accusing the other of negative campaigning.[6] Fimian emerged victorious,[1][7] beating Herrity 56%-44%, with 35,890 votes cast.[8]
The race was closely watched; it was considered a bellwether battleground district in the larger Republican mission to regain a majority in the House.[9] The National Republican Congressional Committee picked Fimian for its Young Guns candidate training and support program.[10][11]
Polling
| Poll Source |
Dates Administered |
Gerald Connolly (D) |
Keith Fimian (R) |
| McLaughlin & Associates[12] |
February 5–10, 2010 |
35% |
40% |
Fundraising
| Candidate (Party) |
Receipts |
Disbursements |
Cash On Hand |
Debt |
| Gerry Connolly (D) |
$2,461,286 |
$2,435,016 |
$49,124 |
$0 |
| Keith Fimian (R) |
$2,941,463 |
$2,785,586 |
$166,003 |
$358,137 |
| David Dotson (L) |
$1,790 |
$390 |
$1,396 |
$100 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[13][14] |
Candidates
Democratic nomination
Republican nomination
- Keith Fimian, businessman and 2008 Republican nominee
- Pat Herrity, member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Results
Republican Primary results [15]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Republican |
Keith Fimian |
20,075 |
55.93 |
|
Republican |
Pat Herrity |
15,815 |
44.06 |
| Total votes |
35,890 |
100 |
Others on ballot
- Libertarian David L. Dotson,[16]
- Independent Green David William Gillis, Jr.[17]
- Independent Christopher F. DeCarlo.[17]
General election results
General election unofficial results [18]
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
|
Democratic |
Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly |
111,720 |
49.22 |
|
Republican |
Keith S. Fimian |
110,739 |
48.79 |
|
Independent |
Christopher F. DeCarlo |
1,846 |
0.81 |
|
Libertarian |
David L. Dotson |
1,382 |
0.60 |
|
Independent Greens |
David William Gillis, Jr. |
959 |
0.42 |
|
None |
Write in |
305 |
0.13 |
| Total votes |
226,951 |
100 |
See also
References
- 1 2 Republicans tap Fimian, Hurt in Va. primaries for U.S. House
- 1 2 "Connolly has narrow lead over Fimian in Va.'s 11th". WTOP-FM. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ↑ "Rep. Connolly expands lead in Va.; GOP opponent won't concede". The Hill. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
- ↑ "Fimian concede race to Connolly". The Washington Post. November 9, 2010.
- ↑ Virginia board certifies Connolly's win (Washington Examiner)
- ↑ Five Republican primaries beckon Virginia voters
- ↑ Fimian Wins Republican Primary
- ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections -- June 8, 2010 Primary Results
- ↑ Virginia Republicans reassess after Pat Herrity's 11th District primary loss
- ↑ NRCC adds 16 top targets
- ↑ GOP picks new crop of 2010 'guns'
- ↑ Giroux, Greg (2010-03-10). "Virginia: Fimian's Poll Has Him Ahead Of Rep. Connolly - The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- ↑ FEC Reports 2010 VA-11
- ↑ http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=VA11&cycle=2010
- ↑ "2010 June Republican Primary Unofficial Results". Retrieved July 16, 2010.
- ↑ "David Dotson | Libertarian Party". Lp.org. Retrieved 2010-08-21.
- 1 2
- ↑ "November 2, 2010 General and Special Elections Unofficial Results as of November 5, 2010". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
External links
- Official campaign sites
