The letter listed Senator Puller’s campaign website and the phone number for Megan Fitzgerald, the Puller campaign’s regional field director.  Last week, Fitzgerald sent an email to Prince William public school teacher’s asking to meet privately with teachers about Puller’s campaign.

No disclaimer identified who paid for and authorized the letter, as required by law.

“Apparently Senator’s Puller campaign has no hesitation to politicize our public schools,” said challenger Jeff Frederick.  ”A State Senator responsible for funding our public schools shouldn’t be sneaking around two months before an election with campaign materials or asking for secret meetings with teachers.”

An image of the letter can be found here: Below is the text of the letter:

Welcome Back from State Senator Toddy Puller

As the summer comes to a close and another school year begins, I would like to personally welcome you back to your place as our children’s mentors and leaders.  I hope that you and your students have an enjoyable and successful year.  I, too, began my career as a teacher in Woodbridge, and because of that I know and value your contribution to our nation’s future.  I firmly believe that education is an essential investment in our future and I will continue to fight for Prince William teachers and their students.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions or would like to know more about my work as your State Senator.

Sincerely,

State Senator Toddy Puller

www.toddy.org / Phone: 703-928-5770

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Also see: Puller Campaign Requests Private Meetings with Teachers

“It’s disappointing that the vast majority of the district won’t get an opportunity to compare the two candidates side-by-side, let alone have a real debate on the issues,” said Frederick. “When I’m out talking with people in their community, I’m constantly being asked about the economy, and when something is finally going to happen with Route 1. Voters deserve an opportunity to compare for themselves our competing visions for Northern Virginia.”

Senator Puller will only attend joint appearances in Woodbridge, Lorton and Fredericksburg, which isn’t even in the district. Areas excluded by their state senator include all of Stafford County, Dumfries, Quantico, and areas such as Mount Vernon, Groveton, Kingstowne, Newington, Franconia, Hybla Valley, Montclair, Belmont Bay, Occoquan, Triangle, Dale City, and Bethel.

“With so many communities shut out of any chance to participate in public discourse, I’d hope Senator Puller would reconsider her decision not to debate me,” added Frederick.

The text of Senator Puller’s letter is below:

August 31, 2011

The Honorable Jeff Frederick
Post Office Box 58
Woodbridge, Virginia 22194

Dear Jeff:

I am responding to your letter regarding public debates. At this time, there are four joint appearances already scheduled. The first meeting is the candidate forum presented by the Prince William Committee of 100 to take place at Westminster at Lake Ridge in Woodbridge on September 14. The second is the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce on September 15. The third is the Mason Neck Civic Association on October 4. The fourth is at the Fairfax in Lorton, Virginia, on October 20. This schedule adheres closely to the every other week schedule you propose. I’m confident that we will also be in attendance at other such joint activities in the weeks leading up to the election.

You are correct that there are “important distinctions that deserve to be discussed in public” forums. I believe these joint forums will provide the Virginia voters in the 36th District a chance to understand our “respective positions and records” so they can make an informed decision when voting in the November 8th General Election.

Sincerely,

Linda T. Puller

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Also see: Frederick Challenges Puller to Debate Across District

Woodbridge, Virginia (August 31, 2011) — The Toddy Puller for State Senate campaign contacted public school teachers in Prince William County about setting up private meetings with the teachers in their schools.

Emails sent out by Puller Field Director Megan Fitzgerald requested meetings that would discuss both public school funding and State Senator Toddy Puller’s re-election campaign. Puller is running against former Delegate Jeff Frederick in the November 8th General Election.

“Why does a campaign operative need to discuss public school funding with teachers two months before an election” asked Jeff Frederick. “Why is Senator Puller sending her political campaign into our public schools to begin with? And most importantly, if everything is above board, why do these meetings need to be in private?”

“If the Senator Puller would like to engage teachers and students in the democratic process, then we should debate the issues at every high school in the district. However, clandestine political campaigning has no place in our public schools, and funding for our public schools should never be used as leverage with teachers. Senator Puller owes the taxpayers an explanation as to what exactly her campaign operatives are doing in the public schools.”

The email send to teachers is below:

> >>> Megan Fitzgerald 8/29/2011 12:47 PM >>>
> Hello,
> Toddy Puller, the State Senator for most of Prince William County is
> reaching out to school in hopes of meeting with teachers to talk about
> education and the importance of funding our future. My name is Megan and
> I’m
> the regional field director for Prince William County. I would love the
> chance to meet with you one-on-one to talk about Toddy Puller. I am very
> interested in talking to students about local government and emphasizing its
> importance. I know that you all are very busy and have a strict curriculum
> but I do think it could be beneficial. Please let me know if there is a time
> I could come into the school to talk to you more about the State Senator
> (preferably before school starts).
> –
> Megan Fitzgerald
> Toddy Puller for Senate
> w ww.toddy.org
> 703-928-5770

It is not known whether Fairfax County or Stafford County public school teachers were approached by the Puller campaign.

###

Also see: Puller Campaigns in Public Schools, Again

The following is the letter confirmed as received by Senator Puller’s office on Monday:

August 25, 2010

The Honorable Toddy Puller
Post Office Box 73
Mount Vernon, VA 22121

Dear Senator Puller,

I am writing you today to ask you agree to an open public debates every two weeks across the 36th District portions of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford Counties.

Because there are important distinctions that deserved to be discussed in public, I will debate you at your convenience. You may choose the day, time and location. We can allow the local media to set the rules of these debates and moderate the discussion. I am open to appearing on local television and radio programs, being hosted by local community groups, or simply meeting at a public library. My staff will contact your office to discuss the terms.

Virginians have a right to hear us discuss our respective positions and records so they can make an informed decision on November 8th.

I hope you will agree to this proposal.

Sincerely,

Jeff Frederick

###

Also see: Puller Refuses Debates with Frederick