Byrne for Congress

Welcome our little granddaughter Bridget Byrne!

I hope to see many of you at Democracy Fest tomorrow (Saturday) at 11AM , at the Dulles Holiday  Inn. I will be speaking on  Democratic  Politics.

I also plan to re-launch this blog in September. It will continue to be a focus on issues and personalities that effect us all.

I hope you are all having as much fun as I am this summer (or what is left of it)!

Regards, Leslie

Elections are about choices. Tomorrow, June 10, you will choose what kind of representative you want to carry the Democratic banner. I have stood for those values that unite us as a party. I have fought for human rights and civil rights. I stood up against Bush’s illegal war in Iraq when others were silent. I have worked for economic fairness. I have been a champion of environmental protection and consumer rights. This is my record as a state legislator, a U.S. Congresswoman and White House Consumer Advocate. If you want someone to stand up to the special interests that dominate our politics, then I ask for your support. Please vote at your regular polling place from 6 AM until 7 PM.

If you don’t know your polling place, here is the State Board of Elections link: Public Polling Places.

I also want to thank all those who have done so much in the last seven months to bring us this far. This will be a true victory for the grassroots. Join us and vote on Tuesday, June 10.

Kindest Regards,

Leslie Byrne

For Release: June 6, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
(703) 537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org

Byrne Asks Election Board to Hand-Count All Absentee Votes, Calls on Fellow Candidates to Join Her Effort

Fairfax, VA–Former congresswoman Leslie Byrne today delivered a formal request to Robert K. Sparks, Chairman of the Fairfax County Electoral Board, asking the Board to hand-count all paper absentee ballots in the 11th congressional district Democratic primary to ensure accurate tabulation. Byrne made this request in response to a notification of problems stemming from the printing of the absentee ballots, which have resulted in some cases of legitimate ballots being initially rejected by the ballot reader. Byrne believes that hand-counting all paper absentee ballots is necessary to prevent votes from being misread or overlooked.

Byrne is also calling on her fellow candidates in the Democratic primary race to join her in requesting a hand count. She feels that this issue bridges the divides between candidates.

“I firmly believe that every absentee ballot must be counted fairly and accurately, and a hand count is the only way that we can ensure that it happens. I cannot imagine any candidate in this race disagreeing with that view,” said Byrne.

In her letter to the Board of Elections, Byrne emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the constitutional right of every citizen to vote. She feels that a democracy cannot function unless the people believe that election results reflect their choices, and she will actively work with the Board and with her opponents to ensure that there is no doubt about the accuracy of the results in the primary on June 10.

The Board’s notification and Byrne’s official petition as delivered to Chairman Sparks are posted below.

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Letter to the Candidates:

June 6, 2008

Via fax and regular mail

Dear Candidate, 

I am writing to notify you of a minor issue that has arisen regarding the Democratic absentee ballots in the 11th Congressional district contest.

In the course of preparing cast absentee ballots for tabulation our staff found that the printer that printed those ballots cut some of them slightly shorter than they should have been cut, with the result that the ballot reader at first rejects them when they are inserted in the reader. When that has happened, our staff reinserted the rejected ballots and the reader has then accepted them.

Our office is aware of the problem, and as noted above, staff has worked around the issue by reinserting the initially rejected absentee ballots. Thus far, our office has found fewer than 10 miscut ballots and, as noted, worked around the problem. Nonetheless, out of an abundance of caution, I am writing to alert you to what our office has found and to let you know what has been done about it. I emphasize that this problem affects only a small number of absentee sent to voters through the mail. It does not affect ballots cast in person in the elections office on the DRE machines or the provisional ballots being used on Election Day.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact this office.

Sincerely,

Rokey W. Suleman, II

Byrne Campaign Response to Electoral Board:

June 6, 2008

Mr. Robert K. Sparks, Chairman
The Office of the Electoral Board
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 323
Fairfax, VA 22035-0081

Dear Chairman Sparks,

Due to the technical difficulties your staff alerted us to, we are petitioning you to have all paper absentee ballots for the 11th congressional district primary election hand-counted. We believe hand-counting all paper absentee ballots is necessary to prevent votes from being misread and/or overlooked in the tabulation process. Clearly, this should be substituted for the machine tabulation process which may be inaccurate.

Leslie Byrne feels strongly that every vote must be counted to ensure the constitutional rights of each citizen in Virginia’s 11th district. She believes that the Fairfax County Electoral Board shares her desire to accurately reflect the intentions of Virginian voters. Therefore we ask for a commitment by the Board to conduct a hand-count in order to effectively pursue this end.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me at (703) 537-0470.

Sincerely,

Joe Fox
Campaign Manager, Leslie Byrne for Congress

CC: Thomas A. Reed, Vice Chairman
Margaret K. Luca, Secretary
Rokey W. Suleman II, General Registrar

For Release: June 5, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
(703) 537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org

Byrne Endorsed By Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott, Now Has Nine Congressional Endorsements
Scott is Second Member of Virginia Delegation To Endorse Byrne

Fairfax, VA–With momentum in her favor after reports that the Democratic primary race in Virginia’s 11th congressional district is a dead heat and the endorsement of the progressive action group Democracy for America, former congresswoman Leslie Byrne announced today that she has been endorsed by Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA). Scott is the second member of Virginia’s congressional delegation to endorse Byrne, joining Senator Jim Webb, and the ninth member of Congress over all. Scott is the eighth member of the House’s Out of Iraq Caucus to announce his support for Byrne.

Byrne and Scott entered Congress the same year, and the two worked together on a wide range of issues important to Virginians. He joins state political leaders including Webb, State Senators Chuck Colgan, John Edwards, Don McEachin, and Chap Petersen and Delegates Adam Ebbin, Bob Hull, Steve Shannon, Lionel Spruill and Margi Vanderhye among the ranks of Byrne’s supporters.

“I am honored to have the support of my good friend Bobby Scott, who has always stood up for the things that matter to the people of this state,” said Byrne. “He and I share many of the same beliefs, from the importance of early childhood education to the protection of our civil liberties to ending the war in Iraq. I am looking forward to again working with him to make progress on our shared priorities when I get to the halls of Congress next year.”

Ending the war is a critical issue for many likely primary voters across the district, making the endorsement of those Virginians who are leading the anti-war movement, like Scott and Webb, particularly important. Byrne has a well-established record of opposition to the war. She publicly opposed military action in Iraq in January 2003, joining 75 other former congressmen in calling on President Bush to put more effort into diplomacy before the invasion took place.

“In the months leading up to our invasion of Iraq, too many politicians were blind to the dangers of the White House’s plans. Leslie Byrne had the vision it took to see the quagmire ahead,” said Scott. “That vision and her clear sense of Virginian values allowed her to do great things in her first term in Congress. I would be thrilled to help serve this state with her once again.”

“The endorsement of Bobby Scott reinforces that Leslie Byrne is the candidate whom Virginia progressives are looking to for leadership. They want a real change in direction on the Iraq War and in the way our government works, and they believe that Leslie will provide it,” said Byrne campaign manager Joe Fox. “Congressman Scott and Senator Webb are fighting for a better future for Virginians. They have made it clear that Leslie is the ally they want to help them in their fight.”

Byrne has signed on to “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq” along with more than 50 other congressional candidates, and is calling for the swift withdrawal of all of our troops and a new diplomatic and economic offensive in that nation.

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Leslie Byrne is a former member of Congress who has fought for economic and social justice in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate, and as the Consumer Advocate of the United States under former President Bill Clinton. She and her husband Larry have two grown children and two grandchildren, all living in Northern Virginia.

For Release: June 3, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
(703) 537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org

“Tried and True Progressive” Byrne Endorsed by Democracy for America
Dean: “Leslie has stuck to her progressive principles and stood up against the odds”

Fairfax, VA–Continuing to build momentum after the endorsement of seven members of the House’s Out of Iraq Caucus and a poll showing her in a dead heat for the Democratic nomination, Democracy for America (DFA), our nation’s largest progressive political action organization, yesterday announced their endorsement of former congresswoman Leslie Byrne for Congress in the primary in Virginia’s 11th congressional district. Calling her a “tried and true progressive,” DFA members have been and will continue to help Byrne leading up to the vote on June 10.

“Leslie Byrne has strong roots in the community, having served the people as a former congresswoman, state representative and state senator. Time and again, Leslie has stuck to her progressive principles and always stood up for what’s right,” wrote Jim Dean, Chair of Democracy for America. “Leslie Byrne stood up against the war before it was the popular thing to do, and we’re confident she will show that same leadership in Congress.”

Democracy for America and its more than 700,000 members work to support progressive candidates and train activists to play a substantive role in the political process and their community. DFA played a critical role in helping the Democratic Party recapture the Senate in 2006 with their work for candidates like Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

“I am honored to have the support of Democracy for America,” said Byrne. “DFA members have worked hard to elect great candidates, true representatives of the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party. I know that they will devote that same energy to this race.”

Byrne has won support from grassroots and netroots Democrats across Virginia and the country due to her strong track record on the issues and values that are important to not only the party base, but also Virginians. She joined with 75 other former members of Congress in criticizing the rush to invade Iraq in January 2003. Byrne has signed on to “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq” along with more than 50 other congressional candidates, and is calling for the swift and responsible withdrawal of all of our troops and a new diplomatic and economic offensive in that nation. She has been a leader on issues like family and medical leave, investment in green energy solutions and economic fairness throughout her time in public service.

“We want a Democrat who will stand up and fight for what they believe in,” Jim Dean wrote.

Leslie Byrne has been endorsed by over 30 unions and progressive groups and eight sitting members of Congress.

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Leslie Byrne is a former member of Congress who has fought for economic and social justice in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate, and as the Consumer Advocate of the United States under former President Bill Clinton. She and her husband Larry have two grown children and two grandchildren, all living in Northern Virginia.

For Release: June 3, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
(703) 537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org

Byrne Campaign Files FEC Complaint Against Connolly Campaign, Defense Contractor
Former general manager responsible for Connolly’s position with SAIC violated federal election laws to raise funds for campaign

Fairfax, VA–Today, the Byrne for Congress campaign filed a Federal Election Commission (FEC) complaint against Gerry Connolly for Congress, the principal campaign committee of SAIC vice-president and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Gerry Connolly, Robert A. Rosenberg, consultant and former general manager for SAIC, and SAIC, Inc.

The Byrne campaign is alleging multiple violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations, including soliciting corporate donations, directing employees to donate, coercion, and knowingly accepting illegal monies, and has called for the FEC to require the Connolly campaign to return contributions from SAIC employees.

The complaint is based upon an email sent on May 14, 2008 by Rosenberg in which he used a corporate email list to solicit donations from SAIC employees.

“In an e-mail this month to ‘fellow SAIC teammates,’ Robert A. Rosenberg, a former executive vice president and general manager for SAIC’s Northern Virginia operations whom the company calls a ‘consulting employee,’ urged colleagues to support Connolly in part because of his ‘in-depth understanding of our industry.’” [Washington Post, May 29, 2008]

Rosenberg, who described himself as a “semi-retired” SAIC executive, also commented on the need to replace retiring Representative Tom Davis with another “good friend to SAIC.”

In his capacity as general manager for Washington Operations, Rosenberg created the position of SAIC director of community relations specifically for Gerry Connolly in 2003. Days after Rosenberg hired Connolly, Connolly voted to approve a new Metro stop in Tysons Corner that dramatically increased the value of SAIC property in that area. He did not disclose his employment with SAIC at that time. [Washington Post, September 7, 2003; Washington Post, July 8, 2007]

“The Rosenberg email is a clear violation of federal election law, by both SAIC and the Connolly campaign. Specifically, it’s a violation of the prohibition against corporations making a contribution to candidates for federal office,” said Byrne campaign manager Joe Fox. “Any reasonable employee would understand this to be a directive from the corporation to make a financial contribution to Gerry Connolly’s campaign. This is a violation of employees’ First Amendment right of free association and a clear violation of federal law.”

“The solicitation falls into a gray area of campaign finance law, said Allison Hayward, a law professor at George Mason University and a former FEC lawyer. Corporate contributions are illegal in federal campaigns, as is coercing employees to donate…Rosenberg’s e-mail raises questions because it was sent to employees with whom he has professional relationships as opposed to personal friends, Hayward said. It also focuses on Connolly’s knowledge of the contracting business and what he could do for SAIC if elected to Congress, she said.” [Washington Post, May 29, 2008]

According to published reports, Gerald Connolly admitted that he was aware of Robert Rosenberg’s intention to organize SAIC employees on behalf of the campaign and accepted donations from SAIC employees at the May 21, 2008 fundraiser. [Washington Post, May 29, 2008]

The news that Connolly and SAIC may have engaged in soliciting illegal corporate donations comes on the heels of weeks of growing concerns about Connolly’s work with that corporation. He has been accused of hypocrisy and conflict of interest based on his claims to have been against the Iraq War from the start while continuing to work for SAIC. As has been reported in both Vanity Fair Magazine and the Washington Post on a number of occasions, SAIC officials were deeply involved in making the case for going to war in Iraq and the company has been accused of defrauding taxpayers and overcharging the government.

Leslie Byrne was a well-established record of opposition to the war. She joined with 75 other former members of Congress in criticizing the rush to invade in January 2003. Byrne has signed on to “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq” along with more than 50 other congressional candidates, and is calling for the swift withdrawal of all of our troops and a new diplomatic and economic offensive in that nation.

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Leslie Byrne is a former member of Congress who has fought for economic and social justice in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate, and as the Consumer Advocate of the United States under former President Bill Clinton. She and her husband Larry have two grown children and two grandchildren, all living in Northern Virginia.

For Release: June 2, 2008
Contact: Joe Fox
703-537-0470
joefox@lesliebyrne.org

Byrne Now Endorsed by Eight Sitting Members of Congress
Byrne Confirmed as Leading Voice for Ending the War in Iraq in VA-11

Fairfax, VA–With momentum in her favor after reports that the Democratic primary race in Virginia’s 11th congressional district is a dead heat, Leslie Byrne announced today that she has now been endorsed by eight sitting members of Congress. Reps. Corinne Brown (D-FL), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) have now endorsed Byrne, giving her seven members of the House’s Out of Iraq Caucus and Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) among the ranks of her supporters.

Ending the war is a critical issue for many likely primary voters across the district, making the endorsement of Webb and Out of Iraq caucus members like co-founder Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and federal contractor watchdog Rep. Maloney particularly important. Byrne has a well-established record of opposition to the war, where her opponent Fairfax County Board of Supervisors chairman Gerry Connolly has been accused of hypocrisy and conflict of interest on the issue. The Washington Post reported last week that Connolly and the defense contracting SAIC may have engaged in illegally soliciting donations, and Connolly has failed to address concerns raised by his employment as a vice president for SAIC.

“I am deeply honored to have the support of so many who have battled so hard on behalf of our troops,” said Byrne. “I am looking forward to working with them when I get to the halls of Congress next year to bring an end to this conflict as a member of the Out of Iraq Caucus.”

Byrne has signed on to “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq” along with more than 50 other congressional candidates, and is calling for the swift withdrawal of all of our troops and a new diplomatic and economic offensive in that nation. She has been publicly opposed to the war from the very beginning, joining 75 other former congressmen in calling on President Bush to put more effort into diplomacy before the invasion took place.

Rep. Maloney has proposed a bill to create a federal contractor database, and serves on the Out of Iraq Caucus founded by Rep. Woolsey and seven other representatives in June 2005 to coordinate congressional efforts aimed at bringing home our troops. Senator Webb has quickly become a leading voice on Iraq War issues in the Senate and is a leading sponsor of the 21st Century G.I. Bill.

“Leslie Byrne has been calling for a more intelligent approach to Iraq since before we invaded. As a signatory to the Responsible Plan, she is actively working to change the direction of our policy. No one can question her dedication to a diplomatic approach,” said Representative Kaptur. “Leslie combines intelligence, experience, and an idealistic desire to serve our nation and the world. I am eager to have that sort of commitment with us on Capitol Hill again.”

“The support of those working for more intelligent solutions in Iraq reinforces that Leslie Byrne is the candidate who voters can trust to provide a real change in direction on the Iraq War and in the way our government works,” said Byrne campaign manager Joe Fox. “Senator Webb and the members of the Out of Iraq Caucus are fighting to give our military personnel a voice and to crack down on unethical government contractors, and they have made it clear that Leslie is the ally they want to help them in their fight.”

Leslie Byrne is a former member of Congress who has fought for economic and social justice in the Virginia House of Delegates, the Virginia Senate, and as the Consumer Advocate of the United States under former President Bill Clinton. She and her husband Larry have two grown children and two grandchildren, all living in Northern Virginia.