If Congressman Gerry Connolly has such a stellar congressional record to defend, why not debate me publicly before the deserving constituents of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District? 

If he cares about the basic needs of constituents for a reduction in crime, reduction in gas prices and grocery prices, why not come and debate me and share his plan for changing the course in Fairfax County so life is somewhat sustainable for families here? 

If he is more concerned about electric school buses and EV mandates than ensuring that the U.S. is energy-independent, then come and debate me. 

If he is able to confidently stand behind his record of neglecting the fentanyl crisis, keeping the border wide open, not condemning a soft-on-crime policy in Fairfax County, and squandering taxpayer dollars on political clown shows, why not come out and debate me? 

If he is just fine with the current administration’s failed foreign policy leading us into two new wars, why not come and debate me? 

If he is comfortable explaining why he has spent far more time supporting funding packages to protect the borders of other countries long before our own national border, why not come out and debate me? 

If he truly believes that it is okay to ignore the sharp rise in antisemitism in our nation as well as stand by his statement likening the violent, anti-semitic, and hate-filled Pro-Hamas college campus riots to the anti-war peaceful protests on college campuses during the Vietnam War, why not come and debate me? 

If he is perfectly fine with the status of our schools in Fairfax County where now many children are not reading at grade level and what was once the top high school in the nation, Thomas Jefferson High School, is now taking a nosedive in ranking national rankings, why not come and debate me? Why, instead, does he continue to cozy up with the Fairfax County Public School Board which keeps ignoring a majority of concerned parents in Fairfax County? 

If he would like to stand by his record of inaction against violent crime — rape, domestic abuse, assault – by illegal immigrants against women through supporting a soft-on-crime policy and an open border, why not come and debate me? 

If he truly believes that to be pro-women means exclusively supporting the ability of adult women to terminate the lives of innocent unborn women in the womb, why not come and debate me? 

Congressman Connolly here is my open, public invitation to a debate—anytime, anywhere. Please come to defend your record and listen to the concerns of your constituents. I look forward to hearing from you and getting several debates on the schedule between June and November. Please come out of hiding, especially if you have nothing to hide. 

Mike VanMeter is a longtime resident of Fairfax County and candidate for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.