McDonnell calls Filler-Corn, invites her to dinner

Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) called Virginia's newest member of the House of Delegates, Democrat Eileen Filler-Corn, today to congratulate her on her narrow win last night over Republican Kerry Bolognese.

Coincidentally, McDonnell was planning to host all 22 freshmen legislators at the Executive Mansion tonight for dinner. He has now invited Filler-Corn to join them.

"Eileen has worked for two governors. She knows Richmond, and the issues facing our state, well,'' McDonnell said in a statement this afternoon. "She will be a positive voice for the citizens of the 41st District and I look forward to working with her in the years ahead. I also applaud Kerry Bolognese for the upbeat, ideas-driven campaign that he ran. I know it is not easy to work so hard and come so close, and I hope Kerry will continue to stay involved in the life of our Commonwealth moving forward."

Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee couldn't help but weigh in on the second special election since McDonnell was elected governor in which a Democrat was elected. She succeeds Sen. David W. Marsden (D-Fairfax), who won a special election in mid-January against a heavily favored Republican former school board member.

"Virginia Republicans are taking the hit for Bob McDonnell's lack of leadership,'' DNC spokesman Alec Gerlach said. "In districts won by double digits just months ago by candidate Bob McDonnell, voters have now twice turned their backs on the governor who is back-tracking on campaign promises."