Perriello rival unveils pledge to supporters
One of the six GOP candidates seeking their party’s nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, promised his supporters Thursday that he would never raise taxes, would serve a maximum of three terms in Congress and would never add an “earmark” to legislation.
Laurence Verga, an Ivy resident and real estate investor, signed his 10-point campaign pledge at a campaign stop at the Forest Lakes Arby’s in front of several dozen supporters.
“I am campaigning on the motto, ‘Getting Washington Back on Track,’” Verga said. “Those are not mere words, but a goal, a belief and a passion. In spite of the inevitable pressures from the party establishment and special-interest groups, I pledge that I will never be swayed from my core conservative beliefs.”
Verga is one of a crowded field of candidates hoping for a shot at Perriello’s 5th District, which runs from the Charlottesville region down to the North Carolina border. Also in the running are Sen. Robert Hurt of Chatham, Feda Kidd Morton of Fluvanna County, Ron Ferrin of Campbell County, Supervisor Kenneth C. Boyd of Albemarle County and Michael McPadden of North Garden.
A seventh candidate, Bradley Rees of Bedford County, dropped out of the GOP primary race and is now running as an independent.
Verga’s campaign pledge list also included promises to: forgo “excessive congressional perks,” such as health insurance benefits; post his congressional office’s expenses online to increase transparency for taxpayers; defend Virginia from the “overreaching federal government;” and never take a campaign contribution from any entity that has no clear interest in the well-being of Virginia or the 5th District.
Bill Hay, chairman of the Jefferson Area Tea Party, introduced Verga to the GOP supporters, many of whom were munching on Arby’s curly fries and roast beef sandwiches. Hay said Verga is the “person who will personally hand Tom Perriello his pink slip next year.”
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Reader Reactions
antiboyd how many times have you and others been told to stop personal attacks and name calling of posters. I view you remark of cynical as an insult and am asking you to stop your personal attacks.
While earmarks may be viewed as wasteful by some people, it is the one way that a legislator can make sure their district receives some of the money back that is sent to the Feds. The 5th lived under a legislator who said those same words over and over again, but still had earmarks for his own personal whims and whims of his staff for a certain type of theater in the Danville area or did earmarks for the sole purpose of re-election. That staffer also used Government funds to promote that theator.
Right or wrong it is the fact of how Washington works. If Lawrence Verga stands there and says he is going to change the minds of 534 other legislators and him a freshman and you believe him then that is your problem not mine. But please don’t insult me and go on with lengthy discussions of what I know are the facts of Washington.
It is your privilege to believe someone who stands there and tells you he has the power to change 534 minds, but I am 100% sure he does not.
What Lawrence has said about changing earmarks is not honorable and would never get my vote.
If he cannot change earmarks and does not apply for earmarks for the 5th is any one in the 5th ready to cut of their nose and spite their face. I know I am not.
I would call such a legislator a complete jerk.
Gordie,
It is precisely that kind of cynical view of government’s purpose and appropriate role that has gotten us as a country into the mess we find ourselves today—near bankruptcy—and the legacy we will leave our children and grandchildren and countless generations beyond—indentured servanthood.
There are numerous examples of earmarks that are wasteful; as for fairness, explain how exactly they are fair, please. Is their ‘fairness’ in the raising of tax dollars to support these boondoggles, or is it intrinsically fairer to allow citizens to spend the money they earn in their own community as they see fit, or perhaps even invest it?
Seems to me—and I know that for a tax and spend liberal this is an incredibly difficult concept—that the appropriate solution to the problem is NOT to send money to DC in the first place.
Especially when one considers how earmarks are used and abused. How kind of you to mention healthcare. Today, several so-called moderate democrats will permit legislation to be debated that otherwise deserves to be sent to a shredder—a heavy duty one at that. Their votes, without exception, were bought with pricey concessions, concessions they dare not refuse,—that is a prime example of what is wrong with earmarks. Even when the cause is a ‘good’ one—like helping victims of a natural disaster—the process is inherently corrupt, if not sadistically inept.
Senator Harry Reid himself individually sponsored 195 earmarks in 2008-2009, for a grand total of $388M, and jointly sponsored 159 more earmarks for an additional $849M. In 2010 his constituents will show their deep appreciation for sending their money to DC in the first place by giving him an ‘early’ retirement.
An irony is that a number of those earmarks were for breast cancer research. Oops. Should have consulted with the medical accounting corps on that first, eh? Before denying women access to one of their more important health care procedures—but hey, what’s a few lives worth anyway. (Talk a big gmae, but..)
In comparison, Sen. Jim Webb secured 10 earmarks solo for a paltry $16M. His prefernce seems to be getting co-sponsors 266 of those projects for an additional $1,427M. Of course, former senator Warner was no slacker. The two collaborated on countless military spending earmarks which ‘benefited’ Virginia.
In fact, for all the bluster from the left about military spending, they are not shy when it comes to military focused earmarks for their states. Hey, the Pork Producers Association must love these guys and gals.
I don’t yet know this Vargas character. With the TP experience, I realize now that doing one’s homework has iffy results. I don’t quite get the ‘Open mouth insert foot’ refrence—how it remotely applies. It’s where your head is, Gordie, that I’d be most concerned—must be dark up in there.
Thanks for the daily edutainment.
While hundreds, maybe even 435 representatives add earmarks to legislation, here is a candidate for representative, willing to give away the money the 5th Ditrict sends to DC, to the rest of the country.
Lawrence you need some education in fairness and earmarks. Don’t you realize that earmarks is the one way to guarantee the people of the 5th that their money will help the 5th district?
Are you also going to give back the money for office staff and supplies. Don’t take their health care system as well.
Open mouth insert foot
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