2010 Virginia's 11th congressional district election

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Candidate Gerry Connolly Keith Fimian Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 111,720 110,739 Percentage 49.2% 48.8%

Virginia's 11th congressional district

Representative before election Gerry Connolly Democratic Elected Representative Gerry Connolly Democratic

An election was held on November 2, 2010, to determine who would representVirginia's 11th congressional district in theUnited States House of Representatives during the112th Congress. The seat that was contested is located inNorthern Virginia, and includes most ofFairfax County, all of thecity of Fairfax, and part of easternPrince William County.DemocratGerry Connolly first won the seat in2008. TheRepublican nominee wasKeith Fimian.^[1]

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]

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 moderateFairfax County Board of Supervisors memberPat Herrity. A bruising primary fight ensued andThe Washington Post described the race as "one of the nastiest contests in the commonwealth," with each campaign accusing the other ofnegative 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] TheNational Republican Congressional Committee picked Fimian for itsYoung Guns candidate training and support program.^[10][11]

• Gerry Connolly, freshman incumbent (unopposed)

• Keith Fimian, businessman and 2008 Republican nominee
• Pat Herrity, member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

• Libertarian David L. Dotson,^[16]
• Independent Green David William Gillis Jr.^[17]
• Independent Christopher F. DeCarlo.^[17]

• 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Virginia#District 11

• VA 11 a Toss Up from Real Clear Politics
• Race ranking and details fromCQ Politics
• Campaign contributions fromOpenSecrets

Official campaign sites

• Gerry Connolly for Congress
• Keith Fimian for Congress
• Pat Herrity for Congress

• 2010 Virginia elections

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