UNFIT FOR SERVICE? Rep. Gerry Connolly says military veterans haven’t put in the ‘sweat equity’ required to serve congressional districts.
By Kenric Ward | Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau
FAIRFAX — U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly appears to be borrowing a page from fellow Democrat Jim Moran‘s playbook in suggesting that his Republican opponent is unfit for duty in Congress.
Connolly, defending his seat against Army Col. Chris Perkins, said military deployments prevent service members from putting “sweat equity” into the districts they hope to serve in Congress.
In an earlier and similar line of attack, Moran declared that his GOP challenger, Army Col. Patrick Murray, hadn’t performed the requisite “public service.”
In an Oct. 22 Washington Post interview, Connolly dismissed Perkins as “unqualified” for Congress.
Earlier, Connolly, D-Fairfax, said, “I expect a (congressional) candidate to have demonstrated some sweat equity” on local issues.
Perkins, like Murray, spent several years on active duty, including tours overseas.
“I am disappointed that Congressman Connolly believes that military men and women are ‘unqualified to serve in Congress’ of the country they gave their lives to protect and defend,” Perkins said in a statement.
“Connolly’s statements are outrageous and demonstrate an out-of-touch career politician that thinks that only those who climb the ladder of local politics can graduate to higher office.”
Connolly spent 16 years in local politics before moving on to represent Virginia’s 11th Congressional District four years ago. Moran, in the House for 11 terms, is in a rematch with Murray this year in the neighboring 8th District.
