Republican voters in much of western Prince William County will have the opportunity to cast a ballot Tuesday between 11th Congressional District candidates Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and 2008 GOP nominee Keith Fimian (R). The winner faces freshman Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) in the general election.

Connolly drew no Democratic primary opponent Fimian and Herrity are opposed to the newly enacted health care reform law that Connolly supported, both call for a halt to congressional earmarks which Connolly opposes and both want to clamp down on federal spending, particularly in regards to entitlement programs.

On transportation, Fimian proposed using the emergency lanes on Interstate 66 as "viable lanes" not just for rush hour but day and night traffic too. He also supports adding green arrows and red X signals above all Interstate lanes "so that you could see if there's an accident ahead.

Herrity said he wants more focus on developing "an integrated mass transit network" for "dedicated or semi-dedicated lanes" on highways like the upcoming I-495 HOT lanes. Such lanes could run express buses and bus rapid transit.

Overall, there are few substantial differences between the candidates' policy positions. Fimian called out Herrity for a vote he cast that raised their property taxes and mentioned Herrity once called the Prince William law against illegal immigration "mean-spirited."

Herrity recalled that Fimian claimed to be a moderate the leans conservative as opposed to a down-the-line conservative during his last race and, in his mail, accuses Fimian of "using lies and distortions" when he discusses Herrity's record on taxes.

The local GOP establishment largely backs Herrity while Fimian is more closely associated with the Tea Party movement.

While both candidates are pro-life, Fimian mentions his stance more aggressively than Herrity. For example, at a Prince William County Tea Party debate last month, his campaign laid out a set of literature dedicated to social issues while Herrity stuck largely on taxes and spending.

Locally, Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart (R) and Supervisor Mike May (R-Occoquan) back Fimian as do state Delegates Bob Marshall (R-13th), Scott Lingamfelter (R-31st) and Rich Anderson (R-51st). Freshman Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67th) of Fairfax County also supports Fimian as do U.S. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-07th) and Va. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R).

Herrity is endorsed locally by Supervisors John Stirrup (R-Gainesville), Wally Covington (R-Brentsville) and Marty Nohe (R-Coles) along with Del. Jackson Miller (R-50th), Clerk of the Circuit Court Michele McQuigg (R) and Soil and Water District Director Austin Haynes. Herrity also counts a slew of support from his Republican colleagues on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Republicans from the state Senate, state House, Fairfax County town mayors and several former elected officials

Though both Fimian and Herrity are from Fairfax County, one high-ranking GOP insider from Prince William told the Times that Fimian's base of support is likely to come from Prince William while Herrity's will come from his home district in western Fairfax. That would mean Fimian's path to victory would be similar to a Republican candidate in the general election: break even in Fairfax and win Prince William. For Herrity, turning out his base in Springfield while staying competitive in Prince William is likely his best shot for success.