GOP hopefuls raising cash to challenge Nye
| Two Republicans competing to take on U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye in the 2010 election are already building substantial campaign bank accounts, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Leading the field of six GOP candidates are Virginia Beach businessmen Ben Loyola and Scott Rigell. Loyola reported having $536,513 on hand as of Sept. 30, and Rigell reported having $411,628. However, the bulk of Loyola’s campaign fund is a $500,000 personal loan that he made to his campaign. Loyola, owner of the engineering firm Loyal Enterprises, had collected almost $48,000 in contributions since July 1. Rigell, founder and owner of Freedom Automotive, loaned his campaign $125,000 but also had raised almost $227,000 in contributions since July 1. Other Republicans seeking the nomination reported having less cash on hand. Ed Maulbeck, a retired Navy SEAL and defense contractor, reported having $21,965 on hand; Scott Taylor, a former SEAL and owner of a real estate firm, had $10,300; and Chuck Smith, an attorney, $582. The campaigns were required to file reports with the Federal Election Commission by Thursday. Two other men, Virginia Beach Republican Committee Chairman Kenny Golden and Hampton resident Bert Mizusawa, a retired brigadier general in the Army Reserve, have expressed an interest in the race but have not formally become candidates. Republicans, both in Virginia and nationally, targeted Nye almost as soon as he was elected to the 2nd District seat in November. The Norfolk Democrat, who had never run for public office before, defeated incumbent Thelma Drake. Nye’s campaign report showed he had $725,601 on hand as of Sept. 30 and had raised almost $280,000 since July 1. Gary C. Byler, chairman of the 2nd District Republican Committee, said party leaders are considering choosing the GOP nominee in a canvass next spring rather than relying on a convention or a primary. The canvass would be similar to a primary in that it would be open to all voters, but it would be held at fewer locations and could be conducted earlier than the June 8 primary date, Byler said. If state party leaders agree during a Nov. 7 meeting to allow a canvass, there’s a “very strong likelihood” that the congressional candidate would be chosen using that method, he said. |