Libertarian Stevan Porter running in 11th District congressional race – Inside NoVA

Libertarian Stevan Porter is launching a bid to unseat five-term Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-11th District.

Porter, a 48-year-old Herndon resident, announced March 23 that he plans to vie for the Libertarian nomination to challenge Connolly in the 2018 midterm elections. Connollys district covers most of Fairfax County, Fairfax City and some sections of eastern Prince William County.

The current two-party system has polarized our country to the point that meaningful progress is virtually impossible, Porter said in a statement. I will work respectfully with everyone for the good of all of us rather than simply doing what is expedient to keep my party in power.

Connolly ran unopposed in 2016, but Porter is now the second person with plans to challenge him next year Woodbridge resident Jeff Dove announced in Feburary that hed be seeking the Republican nomination.

In a release, Porter says he decided to run because he believes in smaller, more localized government; promoting individual liberty; and defending the equality of all people.

He also believes the nations $20 trillion debt represents one of the greatest threats facing our country today, and he worries that neither of the major parties has taken the necessary steps to reduce it.

Although their spending priorities vary, both Republicans and Democrats continue to embrace big government and deficit-enabled spending, Porter said. We will not be able to reverse our financial course overnight, but we must begin by taking a careful look at where we can responsibly reduce the scope and associated costs of federal programs. The current approaches of raising the debt limit or blindly slashing budgets through sequestration are not viable solutions.

Porter will have an uphill battle in defeating Connolly, however. The Democrat hasnt faced a competitive race since 2010, winning in 2014 by roughly 17 points and scoring a 25-point victory in 2012.

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Libertarian Stevan Porter running in 11th District congressional race - Inside NoVA