Two Interest Groups Endorse In Open Seat Primaries

Two influential interest groups have involved themselves in competitive primaries today, offering their endorsements in a pair of open-seat races.

EMILY’s List, which supports and helps fund pro-choice, female Democrats, endorsed former Rep. Leslie Byrne (D-Va.), who is facing a likely primary against Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly on June 10.

Byrne, who served in Congress for one term between 1992-1994, was the first woman elected to Congress in Virginia’s state delegation.  She was later defeated by Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.)

“Leslie Byrne is a strong, proven leader with more than 20 years of service to her community,” said EMILY’s List president Ellen Malcolm. “From her early participation with local PTAs and the League of Women Voters, to her position in the Virginia House of Delegates, to her term in the U.S. Congress, Leslie has shown uncommon integrity, leadership and dedication.”

Meanwhile, the anti-tax Club for Growth endorsed former state senator Doug Ose in the Republican primary to succeed Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.). Ose is facing former GOP Rep. Rico Oller and Iraq war veteran Eric Egland in the June 3 primary.

“It is clear from Rico Oller’s record that he believes in the principles of economic freedom and limited government and has never wavered in those beliefs,” said Club for Growth Executive Director David Keating. “If elected, to Congress, Oller will be on the front lines fighting against wasteful government spending, higher taxes, and new government programs.”
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