Mason Student Takes on Congress Bid

By Broadside Staff Writer Robert Dongu

George Mason University senior Lori Alexander knows the odds are stacked against her to win the Democratic Party nomination in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District.

Alexander is being challenged by three Democrats vying to win the seat held by Republican Rep. Tom Davis. The two frontrunners in the race, Leslie Byrne and Gerald Connolly, are politically seasoned candidates with a solid base of supporters. Douglas Denneny, a retired Navy pilot, worked as a legislative liaison for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I have an uphill battle, which people are telling me,” said Alexander, a mother of four who works part-time. “I’m friendly to [the other candidates] . . . and they’re nice to me.

“But the main thing is that I look at them as just the old type of politicians. You have Gerry Connolly and Leslie Byrne who have been in politics for 20, 30 years and they don’t want to step down. They do not want young people to come in and change the party.”

Although the competition is stiff for the June 10 primary, Alexander said she can relate to the diverse constituency of the 11th District, which includes Mason.

“You can spend so much of your own money and time in a degree program and barely survive because of the cost of your education,” said Alexander, a chemistry major who took time off from her studies at Mason to run for office. “I have been through it, and I can identify with [students].”

Raised in a low income section of Lowell, Mass., Alexander grew up in a heavily Democratic neighborhood. Following high school graduation, she worked as an executive secretary and took classes at Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts. She then transferred to Boston University, where she was able to attend the private school because of scholarships and loans.

The financial support she received at Boston University helped her become the first person in her family to graduate from college. She continued her studies at Boston University, receiving a master’s degree in physical therapy. But she said that it is harder for students to get the amount of financial assistance that she received in early 1990s.

“We had so many types of scholarship and loan programs,” Alexander said. “But now…I think the Bush administration has cut back so much on the funding for these programs that it’s hurting the middle class and the people who go [to Mason].”

Although she is against the Bush administration’s position on student loans, Alexander said she can get along with Republicans.

“I want to work with the Republicans; I like the Republicans,” Alexander said. “I’m not this type of person that is going to be a left wing, liberal Democrat. I think our country is tired of that polarization. I think most people are in the middle. I’m getting the same type of support from Republicans and Democrats.”

Alexander praised Davis and his service to the 11th District.

“I wouldn’t have run if he [did not step down],” Alexander said. “I think the people like him too much. I met him for the first time two weeks ago and I liked him.”

Despite her long-standing ties to the Democratic Party, Alexander expressed her dissatisfaction in the party’s current organization. She said that Byrne and Connolly are engaged in party infighting similar to that of Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

“The Democratic Party seems like it is starting to break up,” Alexander said.

With four children to raise and a part-time job as a physical therapist, Alexander’s focus is not entirely on winning the election.

“What I’m hoping to do is just inspire other people to [run for office],” Alexander said.