The campaign strategy employed effectively last year by Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell is shaping up to become the model for GOP candidates in Virginia 11th congressional district.
McDonnell, who won in a landslide on Nov. 3 against Democrat Creigh Deeds, had passed muster with social conservatives but hewed almost exclusively to an economic platform, touting job-growth proposals while decrying national Democratic initiatives on health care, jobs and the environment.
The battle for the wealthy suburban district looks ready to follow the same contours. The two Republican hopefuls seeking to oppose Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly have given no more than a passing nod to abortion and other social issues. Instead, Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity and businessman Keith Fimian are framing the race in almost purely fiscal terms.
Republican officials want their eventual congressional nominee to emulate the McDonnell campaign’s rigid message discipline, which allowed the gubernatorial candidate to shrug off attacks on his 1989 master’s thesis criticizing gays and working women.
McDonnell “stuck to his guns, he stayed on message, he stayed on the issues, and I think clearly the message got through,” said Becky Stoeckel, chairwoman of the 11th District Republican Committee, who has endorsed Herrity.
“People were energized and excited by [McDonnell], and they came out and voted for him,” Stoeckel said. “I think that can easily by done in the congressional district.”
Republican Tom Davis — a political moderate — held the district for 14 years before Connolly’s election in 2008. Fimian, when he challenged Connolly two years ago, was tripped up by his association with Domino’s Pizza founder and conservative activist Tom Monaghan, which he sought to downplay.
“You’re not going to win the congressional contest in the 11th by running as a social conservative,” said University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato.
Republicans in the 11th District, unlike in the governor’s race, won’t have the luxury of a painless nomination process. Early shots from Fimian, who frames Herrity as a political opportunist, point to what could be a bitter race leading up to the June 8 primary. Fimian did not return a call for comment on Thursday.
Said Herrity: “I’m not going to get into what Keith’s doing.”
