Virginia 2: Crowded GOP field wants to challenge freshman Nye
In Virginia’s 2nd District (Virginia Beach, etc.), Democratic freshman Glenn Nye, a former Foreign Service officer, ousted two-term incumbent Thelma Drake (R) by 52% to 48% in 2008 and is in the top tier of Democrats targeted by the GOP for 2010.
Since his election, Nye has also done a good job of keeping in the public eye, particularly on his efforts to keep a Navy nuclear aircraft carrier from moving from facilities in the district to Florida. (If he succeeds, it will help him; if he fails, it will be used against him.) He has also been a successful fundraiser; in the 1st Quarter of 2009, Nye raised an impressive $380,000; his 2nd Quarter report has not yet been published.
Although Barack Obama edged out John McCain 50% to 48% in the district last year, it has traditionally been in the Republican column, with President Bush garnering 58% to John Kerry’s 48% in 2004. The GOP also believes that the high turnout among African Americans in 2008 in this 21% black district will not be repeated in 2010. Democratic activist and attorney Carter Phillips, however, believes the district, like the state of Virginia, is trending from red to purple and perhaps to blue. The last Democrat to hold the congressional seat was Owen Pickett, who retired in 2000 and was replaced by Republican Ed Schrock. The district and its economic interests are strongly tied to the region’s military and ship-building facilities.
Nye has voted with his fellow Democrats on partisan roll calls about 75% of the time, the eighth lowest “party unity” score among House Democrats, according to a Congressional Quarterly study. This record still leaves the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) ample room to maintain a drumbeat of attacks on him, using radio ads and automated phone calls criticizing his vote for Obama’s stimulus package and for talking one way and voting another on “cap and trade” environmental legislation.
Republicans nationally and locally see this race as important. As a result, at least seven GOP contenders are running — or are likely to — in next year’s primary for the GOP nomination.
Scott Rigell — pronounced “Ridgel” — is the early favorite for the nomination. A Virginia Beach car dealer; he announced his candidacy on July 8, along with a string of top-tier endorsements from local GOP luminaries, including former US Rep. Drake, a state senator, two state delegates, a Commonwealth’s attorney and two Virginia Beach city councilmen.
Rigell, 49, a former Marine, owns Freedom Automotive, which includes three dealerships in the area. His business gives him both financial resources and significant name ID. He is a long-time contributor to Republican campaigns, including those of Drake and former US Rep. Schrock, although during the Clinton-Obama Democratic contest, he contributed to $1,000 to Obama, which may give some GOP loyalists pause. In the General Election, however, he contributed to McCain’s campaign. Then-Gov. George Allen (R) appointed Rigell to the Virginia Motor Vehicle Board. The word is Rigell is putting together a good team of professionals to run his campaign.
Ben Loyola, likely to be another strong candidate, already has professional staff working on his behalf. Loyola left Castro’s Cuba at the age of two with his mother and came to the United States. He later attended the US Naval Academy and attained the rank of captain in the Navy Reserve. He founded an engineering service contracting firm, which became a successful enterprise headquartered in Virginia Beach. Loyola has been very active in the local Republican Party. He is also active in his Catholic church and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Chuck Smith, a Marine veteran, has been in the race for months. He is a long-time GOP activist in the area, serves on the state Central Committee, and was a 2008 National Republican Convention delegate. An African American, Smith has worked on minority recruitment for the state and local GOP. As of March 30, Smith had raised only $580. Whether he can gain more traction remains to be seen.
Ed Maulbeck, a defense contractor who served in the Navy for 20 years and is a retired Navy Seal, has also filed for the race.
Other Republicans who may enter the contest include Kenny Golden, a defense contractor and the Virginia Beach GOP chairman; Richard Maddox, an ex-Virginia Beach city councilman; and Bert Mizusawa, a brigadier general in the Army Reserve and a resident of Hampton, who has contributed to Republican candidates in the past.
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