Politics & Government

Former Congressman Tom Davis Endorses Chris Perkins for 11th District Race

Former member of Congress held seat from 1995-2008 now held by Democrat Gerald Connolly

Former GOP Congressman Tom Davis, who once represented Virginia's 11th Congressional District, has endorsed  for his old seat. 

Perkins is facing fellow Republican  in a Republican primary election June 12. The winner will challenge incumbent Congressman  (D-11th) and  in a race for the 11th Congressional District seat.

The new 11th District stretches from Dale City to Reston, including all or part of Woodbridge, Lorton, Burke, Springfield, Fairfax, Vienna, Centreville and Annandale. When Davis was in office, the 11th District did not include areas south of Dale City or north of Vienna, but included parts of Mount Vernon to the east and Clifton, Bristow and Haymarket to the west. (See a map here of the old and new boundaries.)

Find out what's happening in Lortonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Davis, whose Vienna home now sits in the 10th District after redistricting, represented Virginia’s 11th district from 1995 to 2008. Prior to his election to Congress, Davis served on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1980 to 1994, chairing that body from 1991 to 1994. The district boundaries he ran against in 1994 were very similar to those that Perkins will run in as a result of the recent redistricting action, Perkins' campaign pointed out.

"I am honored to announce that former Congressman Tom Davis has given his endorsement of my campaign," Perkins said in a news release Tuesday morning. "No congressman from this district ever enjoyed more popular support from both sides of the aisle than Congressman Davis, and no one understands the constituents of the recently redrawn district better than he. His support speaks volumes about the message and the organization we have put together to bring true representation back to the 11th District."

Find out what's happening in Lortonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Davis pointed out in his endorsement on Tuesday. "In addition to the national security experience gained from his long service in defense of our nation, Perkins brings a common sense approach to politics that has been missing on Capitol Hill for too long," Davis said in a news release from the Perkins' campaign. 

"He is exactly the kind of leader we need in public office today—a candidate who has the courage to face the inconvenient truth that governance requires hard work and tough decisions, the willingness to truly really listen to those he will represent regardless of party affiliation, and the ability to work with diverse viewpoints to find lasting solutions. Chris' commitment to the 11th District is matched only by his sense of duty, honor and devotion to his country."  

The for the 11th Congressional District is set for June 12.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here