Lots of No Shows for Wexton at Well Attended Community and Policy Events
On Saturday, the 28th annual African American Heritage festival was held in Manassas. This is usually an event where you will see political candidates in force. Congresswoman Barbara Comstock was there with her team, as was 11th District candidate Jeff Dove. But Gerry Connolly and Jennifer Wexton were noticeable no shows.
When it comes to Wexton – this is not an aberration. Many events that even the hapless John Foust attended, or the D.C. based LuAnn Bennett managed to find her way to, have been no shows for Wexton. She rarely attends the widely attended community events and largely sticks to partisan Democrat events.
As everyone knows, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock is always at our civic, community and charitable events – working with the diverse communities throughout the 10thDistrict.
From a review of the Facebook pages and other information on events attended by candidates – here’s just a small sampling of some of the prominent events this year – most of them in Loudoun which Wexton currently represents — where Jennifer Wexton was a noticeable no show:
Sterling Women 10th Anniversary Lunch. This was a banner event for women in leadership held this month by this prominent women’s group that celebrated women leaders throughout Northern Virginia. Barbara Comstock was there and honored the founder, Kristina Bouweiri, with a congressional recognition. Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall and Supervisor Suzanne Volpe did the same from the county. No Wexton.
Loudoun County Fair. This is always a staple for candidates to meet with our agriculture community, 4-H students, and families and learn more about their businesses and programs. Republicans always have a booth there and Rep. Comstock always attends and works with our agriculture community. This year? No booth for the Democrats and Wexton a no show.
Loudoun Chamber 50th Anniversary in February. Congresswoman Comstock attended this large Saturday night event with hundreds of Loudoun leaders and presented a recognition for the Chamber’s anniversary. Many Democrat and Republican officials were there, such as our Loudoun County Supervisors and Countywide officials, but not Wexton. Perhaps it’s no surprise that Rep. Comstock has top ratings from our business community while Wexton ranks in the bottom half. Loudoun Chamber had an additional 50th Anniversary event in July and while Rep. Comstock and many other elected came, Wexton again was a no show.
Loudoun Valor Awards. This is a large event where police, firefighters and first responders are recognized, and the business community and elected officials come together to honor our finest. Rep. Comstock was there once again this year, as were many of our Loudoun officials, but Wexton? No show.
Fairfax Valor Awards. This is the same kind of police, firefighters event in Fairfax. Rep. Comstock, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Supervisor Pat Herrity, John Cook, and John Foust were there? Wexton – who currently represents parts of Fairfax – no show.
Loudoun Fire Chief Keith Brower retirement party. At the retirement party of Loudoun’s long serving Fire Chief, elected officials and community leaders turned out to honor Chief Brower. Rep. Comstock, who authored the Firefighter Grants signed into law this year, and Supervisor Kristen Umstaad offered thanks and recognition. Wexton again a no show.
Lyme 5k – National Capital Lyme 5k in Brambleton. Loudoun County has a significant Lyme Disease problem and Rep. Comstock and the Board of Supervisors have been active on this front. Rep. Comstock passed several bills in the state legislature and has continued her efforts in Congress for better treatments and education. She’s a regular at this event where she was honored last year. This year she was there again as was Chair Randall and Supervisor Tony Buffington. No Wexton.
Loudoun Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This event hosts hundreds of our local student athletes and their families and many of our local officials. Again, Rep. Comstock a regular, and this year was joined by Chair Randall. But Wexton was a no show and not known to have ever attended this event.
Drug Take Back Day in April – Both Fairfax County and Loudoun County had extensive “Drug Take Back” days in April. Rep. Comstock and her staff helped and visited many of the sites to discuss the work Congress is doing on opioids and addiction. Wexton did not participate.
Loudoun Tourism Awards – Rep. Comstock, BOS Chair Randall, Suzanne Volpe and Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burke were among those who attended this year. Rep. Comstock works extensively with our tourism community and businesses – a growing part of our economy. Wexton? A no show and regularly works against their issues.
Korean Community Service Center “Agents of Change” Dinner – The KCSC is one of the most active Korean-American organizations in the area and Rep. Comstock works extensively with the Korean-American community and spoke at the dinner where they honored Delegate Tim Hugo and Supervisor Pat Herrity. Delegate Mark Keam and other Democrats attended but Wexton another no show.
Smashing Walnuts Crack the Cure. This childhood cancer event chaired by the Miller family of Loudoun is one of the numerous childhood cancer groups that Rep. Comstock works with. Wexton, a no show. This year Rep. Comstock cosponsored and worked to get the STAR Act passed into law and she has additional childhood cancer efforts she is working on. Wexton was also a no show at the annual “Life with Cancer” event to benefit cancer patients at INOVA – an event where there is always bipartisan attendance.
And it’s not just Republicans who note Wexton’s absence. Throughout the primary and even after, Democrats complained about her sense of entitlement and failure to engage with the community.
Stay tuned.