Virginia businessman Pat Herrity recently signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge in his race for Virginia’s 11^th Congressional district. Herrity becomes the second challenger in the GOP Primary to sign the pledge.

Herrity will compete in the June Primary for the chance to take on freshman Democratic incumbent Congressman Gerry Connolly. Connolly has only been in the congress for one term, but has already cast crucial votes which have been detrimental for taxpayers; including the stimulus, cap-and-trade, and most recently health care. The district had been long held by Republicans, and the Primary winner should give Connolly a competitive race in the fall midterm elections.

ATR will continue to reach out to candidates in Virginia, and all across the country to urge individuals running for office to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

ATR's official statement on Pat Herrity signing the pledge can be read below:

Pat Herrity(R-Va.) Signs the Taxpayer Protection Pledge

Congressional candidate promises to protect taxpayers’ wallets

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pat Herrity, a Republican running in 11^th Congressional District in Virginia, recently signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). The Pledge commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”

ATR has offered the Pledge to all candidates for federal office since 1987. To date, 34 U.S. senators and 173 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed the Pledge. Additionally, seven Governors and over 1,100 state legislators have signed the Pledge.

“After the passage of the so-called “Stimulus Package,” better known as the Pelosi-Obama-Reid Spending Give-Away, Americans are desperately searching for candidates and politicians that will protect their livelihoods and put their wallets ahead of the federal government’s coffers,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR.

“By signing the Pledge, Pat Herritydemonstrates that he understands the problems of hard-working taxpayers nationwide, but especially the taxpayers of Virginia 11^th district.”

“I challenge all candidates for federal office to make the same commitment to taxpayers by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge today,” Norquist continued.