CHAP PETERSEN ENDORSES LESLIE BYRNE FOR CONGRESS

Senator-Elect Chap Petersen Endorses Leslie Byrne For Congress

Democratic Party United to Change the 11th District Next Year

In 2005, Chap Petersen and Leslie Byrne both ran for Lt. Governor in the Democratic Primary.  Combined they received 89% of the vote in the 11th Congressional District in a four way primary.

Being former primary opponents, some people may be surprised that Chap is supporting Leslie, and certainly so early in the campaign. 

Chap’s Statement on why he is endorsing Leslie Byrne for Congress and why now: 

“I have known Leslie Byrne for many years.  We served together in the Virginia General Assembly.  She is a great voice for working families." 

"A couple years ago, Leslie and I competed for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor.  We had some lively debates which was healthy for us and the party.  The thing I always respected about Leslie was that she told it straight no matter the audience.  She gave the same answer in Halifax that she did in Fairfax.  That type of integrity is rare in politics."

"A year later, Leslie and I were two of the first Virginia Democrats to support Jim Webb.  Leslie's endorsement gave enormous credibility to Jim's maverick candidacy.  It is no exaggeration to say that her leadership at a crucial stage helped turn Virginia and the U.S. Senate blue."

"Leslie is seeking office for all the right reasons.  She represents the core principles of the Democratic Party.  I am proud to endorse her candidacy for U.S. Congress."

"I wanted to get involved early in this primary because it is very important that the Democratic Party is united as soon as possible in replacing Tom Davis with a voice that represents real change in the 11th Congressional District."

Following Petersen’s statement, Leslie released her comments on this very positive development for her campaign:

"Chap and I got to know each other well during the primary.  We came away with a lot of respect for each other.  His endorsement means a great deal to me.”

The Democratic Primary will be held on June 10th, 2008.

Background for media:  Chap and Leslie are the only two Democrats in Virginia history to defeat Republican incumbents in both houses of the Virginia legislature.

Comments

NICE!!

[Aimee]

This is amazing--I am so glad that Chap is endorsing Leslie--this is a great outcome of their former rivalry.

[Elephant Tears]

The 11th is going the way of the 8th and the Davis machine is going the way of the dodo.

THANKS CHAP

[dems4dems]

I take it that Chap doesn't like Gerry.

Tom should bow out now while he still has a shred of dignity.

[novamiddleman]

We all knew this was coming

Like all politicians its all about power over principle and this was done for political expediency. The use of the word integrity is the highest form of irony.

Note the carefully worded text in both announcements which is needed since Byrne and Chap are on opposite ends on so many issues.

Take five seconds to look at both of their platforms or just go back to any of the back and forth during the 2005 LT Governors race.

Very well written press release. Was this Chap's work or someone on his transition team?

I'm looking forward to seeing Leslie lose yet another race. It sure is entertaining.

[Rowhey]

This is news, why?

[JMU Duke]

NMM--Your post doesn't even make sense, but if you're trying to imply that this is Chap trying to swallow his pride and align with the frontrunner you're full of crap. Chap and Leslie may not have identical platforms, but they are the same kind of Democrat and they are a valuable counterweight to those in the Fairfax County party who believe in exclusiveness and successive politics rather than grassroots hard work and inclusiveness.

Leslie and Chap were instrumental for Jim Webb in '06 when he the exact opposite of a front runner, and Leslie came up huge for Chap as he stood up to a dominant political machine. You will have to search high and low to find two people to whom the word integrity can be more readily applied.

[Notgretchenbulova]

I think it is a little bit realistic (Leslie has best chance), a little bit payback (for past help), a little bit Leslie is the best candidate in Chap
s eyes, and a little bit I don't like Gerry (but, then again, who does).

Either way you play it, Chap made the right decision. I'm not a huge Leslie fan, but I'm also interesting in beating Tom Davis. If you look back to this past election, I think Chap is also very interested in beating Tom Davis.

[novamiddleman]

Wow JMU Duke I must have struck a nerve the truth hurts doesn't it. Chill out you are a decent blogger I don't want to have to stop respecting you.

Using your own words. You have made my point exactly.

"Chap and Leslie may not have identical platforms"

Thats saying it mildly so why are they endorsing each other then?

Its all politics

And politics over principle is the highest form of hypocrisy.

Its gets even better a large portion of your defense is because they both supported the same candidate and they supported each other.

But wait isn't that the exact type of CRONYISIM PAY/SUPPORT TO PLAY and MACHINE APPARATUS you are rallying against. (By the way I do agree with you) Hilarious.

This is great news!!

**oooh** can't lose novamiddleman's respect! yowzers!

[Dan Geroe]

Nova:
Both Chap and Leslie have enjoyed the strong support of Labor in the past. In Chaps victory speech this year, he made sure to specially thank the AFL-CIO. More than anything else, they could be aligning over that issue.

This is a huge endorsement. Only three endorsements in Fairfax could mean more; Webb, Warner, and Kaine. I expect Warner and Kaine to stay out of the race and simply support the eventual winner. Will Webb endorse Leslie? I would suspect so, especially since she did so much from him in NoVA in 2006.

[Gnarly]

I know Chap beat Jack Rust and JMDD. Leslie defeated Jane Woods for State Senate. Who did she defeat for House of Delegates? I can't remember that far back. Then you can add in the only person to defeat incumbents from both houses of HIS OWN party, Don McEachin.

[Sam]

Nova-

There are many reasons to endorse a candidate in your own party's primary. Potential platform agreement is just one of them. If you're a party-building candidate (like Chap is), you'll look at platform, character, infrastructure, possible friendship and often the key question is not "who is most identical to me" but instead "who is most likely to claim this seat for the party, and assure that policies closer to what I believe in than those currently represented become represented?"

My guess is that question is key to why Chap endorsed Leslie, as well as some payback. I fail to see what about making an endorsement for that reason lacks integrity.

[LAS]

So when is Jim Webb going to endorse? Any ideas?

[Not E. Blackburn Moore]

Gnarly, Leslie Byrne defeated Del. Gwendalyn Cody in 1985.

[dems4dems]

Nova - Did you find it strange when Reagan and Bush (the wimp, not the idiot)came together as one after campaigning against one another for the soul of the Republican Party? Of course not! Politics makes strange bedfellows and self-interest trumps all!

[novamiddleman]

Interesting view Sam

It brings up the ages old issue of during a primary do you base your support/endorsement on who can "win" or do you support who you actually agree with

The integrity point for me is that also with how can you aggressively attack someone and less than 30 months later strongly support them.

Let me also clarify I think Chap is by all accounts a nice person its just that there are too many examples when his views are adjusted based on the political climate at the time. (Once again a common occurence among many politicians) So its political integrity and definently not personal.

Can we have a vote on who consistently makes the stupidest comments here at Not Larry Sabato? I nominate "novamiddleman."

If Marge Schott wins the election, will Schottzie be allowed in the House?

[Loudoun Insider]

If Chap is indeed a nice person (which by all accounts I've heard he is) than that easily explains why he wouldn't endorse Gerry The A-Hole Connolly. I still can't believe that guy is still in office - kind of like Eugene Delgaudio.