Republican congressional hopefuls Keith Fimian and Pat Herrity furiously worked the phones, passed out fliers and dispatched surrogates to knock on doors Monday in a mad scramble to shore up votes — and donations — on the final day before the Tuesday primary.
Herrity, a Fairfax County supervisor, and Fimian, an Oakton businessman, are fighting for the right to square off against freshman Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, which encompasses Fairfax and Prince William counties.
A lack of external polls during the race and typically low turnout for primaries has made it difficult for analysts to handicap the contest — and makes the last-ditch “get out the vote” effort all the more crucial.
“I have a million people to call,” Fimian said from his Fairfax headquarters.
» Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
» Republican primaries for the U.S. House are being held in Virginia’s 1st, 2nd, 5th, 8th and 11th congressional districts.
» There are no Democratic primaries being held.
» Maryland’s primaries take place in September.
Source: Virginia State Board of Elections
Both candidates said they were spending a good chunk of time Monday working the phones to shore up last-minute votes.
Herrity appeared confident heading into Election Day, passing out fliers and candy outside the Huntsman Square Giant grocery store in Springfield.
“I think I’ve given people reasons to vote for me,” he said. “It does come down to turnout.”
While Herrity and Fimian have spent much of their campaigns targeting the federal government — both candidates, for example, have strongly opposed the health care overhaul — such a tack could prove difficult in the 11th District, home to many federal and defense employees.
Still, each candidate has garnered support.
Donny Garneau of Fairfax said he and his wife Rosemary would cast votes for Fimian Tuesday.
“He was straightforward — no hidden agendas,” said Garneau, who met Fimian recently.
But Julie Lawhorn of Fairfax Station said she was hoping Herrity would pull it out.
“Herrity is just a name we’ve all grown up with,” she said outside the Giant, referring to Pat’s father John “Jack” Herrity, longtime chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
Republican candidates also will vie for the right to compete against freshmen Democrats Glenn Nye and Tom Perriello, who represent Virginia’s 2nd and 5th districts, respectively. The Republican frontrunners appear to be Scott Rigell, a Virginia Beach businessman who enjoys the support of Gov. Bob McDonnell, in Nye’s district, and state Sen. Robert Hurt, R-Pittsylvania, in Perriello’s.
