State Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis furthered her efforts to paint herself as a moderate Republican running in a Democratic-trending district Thursday by trotting out party-hopping New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who endorsed her at a Herndon hotel.
Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Independent, praised the Vienna Republican for support of gun-control measures and an indoor smoking ban.
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The mayor’s rare appearance for a legislative candidate seemed to further highlight Davis’ professed distaste for marching lock-step with state Republicans. Bloomberg is locked in a legal feud with Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell, a Republican. The two are battling over the city’s efforts to sue gun shops in the commonwealth that illegally sell guns to undercover New York City police officers posing as buyers. Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine and lawmakers, without Davis’ support, enacted legislation this year that prevented Bloomberg from sending additional officers into Virginia.
“I support candidates who do not let party ideology get in the way of common sense thinking,” he said of Davis.
Davis is facing a well-funded and well-organized challenge from Democrat Chap Petersen, a former state delegate. Her 34th District, which includes Vienna and Fairfax City, has supported Kaine and Democratic Sen. Jim Webb in the past two statewide elections.
On Thursday, she hammered Petersen for voting for legislation allowing licensed gun owners to drive onto school property with firearms in their vehicles and against a bill that would have let localities ban guns in public libraries.
“I am a good fit for my district,” she said. “Mothers and fathers need to feel safe and want to know that there will be a zero-tolerance policy for guns where their children attend school, go to the library and recreate.”
Petersen onThursday accused Davis of distorting his record on gun bills, saying two police groups that have endorsed him do not consider those bills public-safety issues. Petersen has also blasted Davis throughout the campaign for saying she’s a moderate but siding with conservative Republicans when the legislature is in session.
“At first I thought (Bloomberg) was coming to thank her for excluding New York drivers from the abusive-driving fees,” he said at a news conference in front of the Fairfax County courthouse. “But seriously. . . police departments that come into our state need to work with our state police, not go behind their back. Mayor Bloomberg needs to understand this.”
