Perriello stumps for Brennan in 59th House District race

With four days to go until Election Day, former 5^th District Rep. Tom Perriello was among Democratic leaders showing their support for Connie Brennan Friday afternoon in the 59^th District House of Delegates race.

Perriello joined Brian Moran, chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, and Brennan at an event at the Spring House Restaurant on U.S. 460 near Concord that encouraged volunteers to go door-to-door and make phone calls in support of Brennan and other Democratic candidates.

“It’s imperative in a few days, folks, that we make sure that the doors are knocked (on), the calls are made, whatever it takes to make sure Connie is elected,” Moran said.

Perriello said Brennan is a good candidate because she comes from Nelson County, where there are both rural and economically developing communities. Brennan has been on the Nelson County Board of Supervisors for three terms.

He added that she also has young adults’ interests in mind.

“There’s all this evidence about what people are calling the ‘new poor,’ which is almost everyone in their 20s, people who have taken on a lot of debt for colleges and don’t see a lot of employment opportunities,” he said. “I think the kinds of things Connie is fighting for and delivering on puts us in a position to make sure we don’t lose this generation.”

While none of Brennan’s opponents were named, Perriello alluded to the other candidates. Brennan is running against Republican candidate Matt Fariss of Rustburg and Independent Linda Wall of Appomattox.

“One of the great things about this race is we know the more people know about Connie, the more they’re going to vote for her,” Perriello said. “The more people know about her opponents, the more they’re going to vote for her. It really just means that this is an opportunity to just educate people.”

Friday’s event was just one of Perriello’s endorsement stops. He is scheduled to make 18 appearances campaigning on behalf of Democratic candidates through Monday.

About 17 people came out to support Brennan at the roundtable discussion, including Shannon Valentine, the former state delegate from Lynchburg.

 The discussion began around 3:30 p.m. and lasted about 40 minutes. Among the issues was how redistricting has potentially diluted the voice of rural communities in districts that also represent suburban and urban areas.   The importance of jobs and education also was discussed. 

Brennan, who previously has run for the seat against the now-retired Watkins Abbitt, said she was touched by the amount of support she has seen, especially with the donations from people who don’t have a lot of money but want to contribute to the campaign.

“That has just given me a lot of energy to go out there and do this,” she said. “It’s been really fun this time.”