Illegal Alien Supporters Lose their First Election Test!
Herndon Citizens Throw Out Mayor and Town Council by Nathan J. Muller
For the Cause - forthecause.us

"Appreciating the national significance of his victory in Herndon, Virginia, Steve DeBenedittis, said, "It is my hope that the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives will listen to the voice of the people to resolve the critical problem of illegal immigration..."

In Herndon, Virginia last night citizens voted against a tax-funded day labor site, residential overcrowding, escalating crime, and the deteriorating quality of life foisted upon them by an arrogant small-town administration.

The morning of the election, Mayor Michael O'Reilly told a news reporter that he didn't care what the people think. By mid-afternoon, he dropped the attitude. In the evening, Mayor O'Reilly's bid for another term was trounced by challenger Steve DeBenedittis by a five-point margin, 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent. Five other conservative candidates also won.

Councilmember Dennis Husch won re-election and becomes vice Mayor. Husch was one of two councilmembers who voted against the taxpayer-funded day labor center last year. Former Councilmember Connie Hutchinson was elected to a seat on the Town Council. Bill Tirrell and Dave Kirby, who are on the Town Planning Commission, won seats to the Town Council. Charlie Waddell also won a seat. Getting the fewest votes was Harlon Reece, the only incumbent to win re-election. He voted for the taxpayer-funded day labor center last year.

Of the town's 10,000 registered voters, only 2,620 actually voted. Hispanics make up 25 percent of the town's population, but they were virtually absent from the voting booths, even with one of their own on the ballot. Jorge Rochac, a Salvadoran, made a point of visiting residents with Hispanic surnames, urging them to vote. His effort proved unsuccessful. Poll watchers estimated that 25 to 30 Hispanics may have voted.

Appreciating the national significance of his victory, Steve DeBenedittis, said, "It is my hope that the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives will listen to the voice of the people to resolve the critical problem of illegal immigration."

Last year, Herndon became the national flashpoint for the illegal immigration crisis. After several days of public hearings, the Mayor and Town Council voted to establish a day labor center over the strong objections of a majority of town citizens. Their concerns were dismissed as "emotional" at best and "racism" at worst.

This ignited a firestorm of activity that eventually culminated in last night's defeat of the Mayor and all but one of the Town Council members who voted for the day labor center.

Concerned citizens formed groups to fight back the illegal alien invasion of Herndon. Butch Baugham was the catalyst for the establishment of HelpSaveHerndon, which grew in membership under the leadership of Phil Jones and Aubrey Stokes, who also put up the organization's web page and private messaging system. Members blitzed local media with "letters to the editor" to challenge the myths being put forward by illegal alien supporters. They also organized "meet-and-greet" events for candidates, performed literature drops, and engaged in fundraising.

Later, George Taplin founded the Herndon Minutemen, who did an exceptional job of keeping the illegal immigration issue front and center locally, nationally and even internationally. Despite absorbing withering criticism, he stayed the course, which enabled HelpSaveHerndon to stay focused on its job.

As the campaign season kicked into high gear, John Neil provided valuable organizing assistance for the entire slate of conservative candidates. Susan Powell and Bob Rodine, who had to drop their election bids, gave tirelessly to the campaigns of others.

Forthecause aided both HelpSaveHerndon and the Herndon Minutemen, and drew in the support of Rep. Tom Tancredo on two occasions. Town Councilmember Ann Null, who declined to run again, played a huge role in keeping the campaigns of several candidates focused, even participating with them in mock debates.

With the local media solidly behind the incumbents, The Herndon Compass made its debut to counteract their biased views, which included persistent charges of racism. Forthecause took the lead in writing a series of investigative articles that clearly portrayed the plight of overburdened Herndon residents as they coped with increasing taxes, unrelenting commercial development, and quality of life issues. Allen Keesee played the pivotal role bringing this 12-page newspaper to life with the help of Ben Weber, publisher of the Purcellville Gazette.

Throughout the campaign, mayoral candidate Steve DeBenedittis and fellow conservatives running for Town Council seats were never treated seriously by the incumbents or media, who continually harped on their lack of political experience, financial acumen and sense of priorities. The view expressed by the TimesCommunity newspaper was typical: "Challenger Steve DeBenedittis has absolutely no qualifications for the position of mayor. Nor has he expressed any innovative or thoughtful ideas about the town's future." Voters who met Steve DeBenedittis on the campaign trail thought differently.

But the incumbents didn't know what is most essential to know in any campaign - the mood of the voters.

A critical element in the success of the challengers was an automated telephone poll conducted five weeks before the election. The results of that poll yielded valuable insights into what was really on the minds of Herndon voters. The poll was also used to zero in on 400 potential voters who could swing the election to the challengers. These were the first people to get copies of The Herndon Compass, which provided further incentive to vote.

The poll was widely criticized by local media, ridiculed by faith-based groups supporting illegal aliens, and condemned by the incumbents who thought they knew what was best for their citizens, but never asked. The poll was financed by a Herndon resident, who still prefers to remain anonymous - not by big money "outsiders" with ambitious national agendas, as some of the incumbents charged.

Even residents in neighboring Loudoun County watched the Herndon election closely. Eugene Delgaudio, representing the adjacent community of Sterling on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, took note of the mood in Herndon: "There is happy celebration by our neighbors in Herndon. It is like the 4th of July in the streets. Bells are ringing." Delgaudio is an opponent of day labor centers and social services for illegal aliens.

Reflecting on the national ramifications of this election, Delgaudio said, "It was an uphill battle and this Herndon Town Council race is a big defeat for all liberals not just in Northern Virginia but throughout the country as well."

Linda Muller of Forthecause was on hand when the election results came through at the home of Town Councilmember Ann Null, who was not running for re-election. "I was stunned beyond words at the success of our candidates. A lot of people worked very hard to make this happen."

For her, that this success comes one day after a national boycott and previous demonstrations that attracted millions of illegal alien supporters in major cities around the country makes the victory in Herndon even sweeter. "I believe this is just the start of a nationwide backlash by American citizens against illegal aliens who demand rights and privileges they are not entitled to. What happened in Herndon proves that the power of the vote trumps shrill demonstrations and inflammatory boycotts."

Aubrey Stokes of HelpSaveHerndon said, "Think back to almost a year ago, did anyone think we would be able to accomplish so much in so little time?"

Herndon Minutemen founder George Taplin said, "The election results will discourage more illegal aliens from coming here and will cause those already in Herndon to start leaving."

It is hoped by the organizers and volunteers who engineered this victory in Herndon that their success will inspire citizens elsewhere to take back control of their communities from arrogant and unresponsive politicians who are intent on disrespecting those who put them in office -- Americans.

Following his loss, outgoing Mayor Michael O'Reilly couldn't resist taking one more pot shot at Herndon's beleagured citizens, telling the Washington Post that there was a lot more "resentment and hatred" out there than he anticipated. Rochac, who said he wanted to bring people together during the campaign, now says the winning candidates are brainless.

The new Mayor and Town Council take office July 1st. Until then, the well deserved celebration continues...