Leslie Byrne for US House

Background:

Leslie Byrne has served the people of Virginia with distinction for over 20 years. From her earliest time in Virginia she participated in local PTAs and community groups like the League of Women Voters. She became involved with issues and organizations of statewide and national importance. She also started her own business.

Recognized both inside and outside of the Democratic Party as someone who could find solutions and accomplish her goals, she was encouraged to run for public office. Few people would have guessed then what was to follow: 7 years of service in the Virginia House of Delegates, a term as Virginia's first female representative to the U.S. Congress, 2 years as the White House Director of Consumer Affairs, and 4 years of service in the Virginia State Senate.

While she was unsuccessful with her bid for Lt. Governor in 2005 (losing by 0.07%), Leslie staged a very strong campaign as an unapologetic progressive Democrat. In doing so, she helped highlight many of the issues that are only now being discussed across the state. With your help, Leslie now seeks to continue to serve the citizens of the 11th Congressional District With her bid to re-take the seat that was lost to Democrats during the so-called "Republican Revolution" of 1994, Leslie remains committed to the issues that have been her focus during her entire career: transportation, economic fairness, the rights of women and minorities, the environment and consumer protection. She has been an outspoken critic of the war in Iraq and President Bush's policies that subvert the constitution. Throughout her career, she has always sought pragmatic solutions, and with her experience, proven effectiveness, and integrity the people of the 11th District can rely on her to represent them with integrity and honesty.

Goals:

I have always been about building better communities for our children and grandchildren. It is not enough to undo the Bush administration's blunders we need to address health care, the environment and re-building our economy.

Issues:

Getting out of Iraq.
Universal Health care.
Economic Justice

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots and netroots have played and important role in my campaigns. Since I will be in a primary, this race will be a person to person campaign.

DFA Values:

I have been a champion of human rights,and civil rights for the last two decades.

I have also voted to balance budgets and introduced and passed legislation to give the middle-class, seniors and the disabled tax cuts.