Skip to content

Virginia: Young Republican Eying Challenge to Connolly

A young Republican will challenge Connolly (above).  (Bill Clark/Roll Call File Photo)
A young Republican will challenge Connolly (above). (Bill Clark/Roll Call File Photo)

Democratic Rep. Gerald E. Connolly may have his first Republican challenger of the 2014 cycle.

Ron Meyer, 23, a former spokesman for a couple of GOP-aligned groups, is exploring a bid for Congress in the suburban 11th District outside Washington, D.C. If successful, Meyer would be among the youngest ever elected to Congress — the Herndon resident turns 25 on Sept. 28, 2014, less than two months before the election.

However, should he run, Meyer would have a challenging road ahead to take out Connolly. Once one of the state’s most competitive areas, this district was redrawn last year as safely Democratic. President Barack Obama won it with 62 percent, and Connolly was re-elected to a third term with 61 percent.

Meyer served last cycle as a spokesman for American Majority Action, a conservative grass-roots mobilization group. Now as he ponders a bid for Congress, Meyer said in a statement that it is “immoral” to leave future generations with “an unsustainable, debt-ridden government,” which members of both parties are guilty of allowing to happen.

“If Washington’s politicians insist on punting the toughest choices to young Americans and future leaders, maybe it’s time for a young American to lead now,” Meyer said. “Unlike the current crop of supposed leaders (House’s average age is 57), I have a personal stake in making sure this nation succeeds long-term.”

Recent Stories

‘Israel is in charge’: Netanyahu made sure Trump’s Iran diplomacy was no picnic

Covert actions key to Israel’s strikes on Iran: Mossad

Striking up — Congressional Hits and Misses

Photos of the week | June 6-12, 2025

AI can sharpen America’s edge in the Pacific — if we move now

Walz and Johnson make misleading claims about bill’s impact on SNAP