2010 Virginia's 11th congressional district election

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]

2010 Virginia's 11th congressional district election
November 2, 2010
 
Candidate Gerry Connolly Keith Fimian
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 111,720 110,739
Percentage 49.2% 48.8%
Representative before election

Gerry Connolly
Democratic

 Elected Representative

Gerry Connolly
Democratic

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
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia, 2010 § District 11

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. Republicans tap Fimian, Hurt in Va. primaries for U.S. House
  2. "Connolly has narrow lead over Fimian in Va.'s 11th". WTOP-FM. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  3. "Rep. Connolly expands lead in Va.; GOP opponent won't concede". The Hill. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  4. "Fimian concede race to Connolly". The Washington Post. November 9, 2010.
  5. Virginia board certifies Connolly's win (Washington Examiner)
  6. "Five Republican primaries beckon Virginia voters". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 15, 2016.
  7. Fimian Wins Republican Primary
  8. "Virginia State Board of Elections -- June 8, 2010 Primary Results". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  9. Virginia Republicans reassess after Pat Herrity's 11th District primary loss
  10. NRCC adds 16 top targets
  11. GOP picks new crop of 2010 'guns'
  12. Giroux, Greg (March 10, 2010). "Virginia: Fimian's Poll Has Him Ahead Of Rep. Connolly - The Eye (CQ Politics)". Blogs.cqpolitics.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  13. FEC Reports 2010 VA-11
  14. "Virginia District 11 2010 Race".
  15. "2010 June Republican Primary Unofficial Results". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
  16. "David Dotson | Libertarian Party". Lp.org. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  17. "Virginia State Board of Elections : CandidatesList-Results". Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  18. "November 2, 2010 General and Special Elections Unofficial Results as of November 5, 2010". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2010.
Official campaign sites
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