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Leslie Larkin Byrne (née Beck; born October 27, 1946) is an American politician and businesswoman who served as the U.S. representative for Virginia's 11th congressional district from 1993 to 1995. In 1992, she became the first woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from the Commonwealth of Virginia. A member of the Democratic Party, she served for one term but was quickly defeated for re-election in 1994 by Republican Tom Davis.
In 1985, Byrne co-founded Quintech Associates, Inc., a human resources consulting firm. She served as president of Quintech until her election to Congress in 1992.
, March 31, 1993, during the Women's History Month observance.]] While a member of the 103rd Congress, Byrne served on the Public Works and Transportation Committee. She was also a member of the Post Office and Civil Service Committee.
The freshman Democratic members of the 103rd Congress elected her to the leadership position of freshman caucus whip. She introduced and passed more legislation than any other freshman representative, including two of her measures on childhood immunization that were passed into law. She helped obtain funds for rail from Tysons Corner to Dulles Airport.
Thomas M. Davis, then chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, defeated her for re-election in 1994's "Republican Revolution." His campaign charged that Byrne was too liberal for the swing district she represented and that her voting record was too supportive of President Bill Clinton.Eric Liption, "Byrne, Davis Backers Mix It Up," The Washington Post, 13 October 1994, P. V1.
In 1998, Byrne began work at the United States Information Agency, advising its director on the au pair program.
Byrne returned to elected office in 1999 when she was elected to the Senate of Virginia, winning a very close election against two-term incumbent Republican Jane Woods (45.52% to Woods's 45.39%). She left the Senate after one term, choosing not to seek reelection after she was drawn into the same district as another Democratic incumbent during redistricting. In the Virginia Senate, she sponsored legislation to prohibit people from sleeping in rooms except bedrooms, a response to complaints of students and poor immigrants crowded into residential houses."Bill Would Let Fairfax Limit Sleep to Bedrooms; Va. Senate Passes Legislation That Critics Say Unfairly Targets Crowded Immigrant Homes." The Washington Post. January 27, 2001. P. A1.
Byrne was the 2005 Democratic Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Republican Party candidate Bill Bolling defeated her in the November 8, 2005 general election by 1.2%.
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