Newcomer Nye rides blue wave to the halls of Washington

Glenn Nye, the 34-year-old former foreign service officer, will head to Washington as one of the youngest members in the House of Representatives - the average age is 55 - and become part of the expanded Democratic majority.

A combination of ambition, fundraising, aggressive campaigning and, perhaps most importantly, the blue wave that crashed over Virginia propelled Nye to upend Thelma Drake, the two-term Republican incumbent.

Although freshman congressmen generally don't wield much influence, Nye has been promised a spot on the Armed Services Committee, a crucial post for a representative of the military-heavy 2nd District.

"You don't have a lot of clout as a freshman, let's be frank about it," said G. William Whitehurst, a Republican who held the seat from 1968 to 1987 and a government professor at Old Dominion University. "In spite of that, your colleagues understand what your needs are. They're not going to put you on the back burner and leave you there."

Nye consulted with Owen Pickett, the Democratic representative of the district from 1987 to 2000, before deciding to run. "The first thing out of my mouth was, 'Well Glenn, if there's anything in your history from the time you were born to the time that this election will be over, don't bother to run,' " Pickett said. "Don't assume that something that has happened won't be detected."

Nye's clean biography, with deep roots in Norfolk and a professional background in the Foreign Service and the U.S. Agency for International Development, formed the foundation of his campaign. He used his stints in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo to forge connections with military voters. He told of a personal dash of derring-do by frequently recounting his role in rescuing a hostage in Macedonia and helping get Americans stuck behind enemy lines to safety.

Pickett said, "I think he'll be more than the average freshman since he's got more than 10 years with the federal government. He'll bring a lot of insight to Congress."

Nye's campaign was kick-started in January when he managed to raise $100,000, an amount large enough to indicate he could be a serious candidate. He ultimately attracted about $1 million in contributions, shy of Drake's war chest but respectable for a first-time candidate. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee poured $1.5 million into ads attacking Drake.

As the campaign wore on, Nye was able to exploit Drake's allegiance to President Bush, whose falling popularity ratings became a liability to incumbent Republicans.

"The president hurt us with his numbers and I think that was probably the biggest factor," said Kenny Golden, Virginia Beach GOP chairman.

Nye hammered Drake on her first vote against the latest GI Bill, which she initially explained by saying she wouldn't vote for a bill the president had threatened to veto. In the end, she voted for it, citing a provision that was added to allow veterans to transfer benefits.

"It's bad enough she voted against it but then her rationale came across as overly loyal to the president," said Ken Geroe, a former chairman of the Beach Democratic Party. "That was a time to stand up and say, 'Too, bad. I disagree.' That created an opening for Glenn."

Drake opened the second candidates' debate by attacking Nye on a tax break he receives on a home he co-owns in Washington. The charge, which came days after the financial crisis erupted, failed to stick, and Nye said he emerged stronger from the episode.

Perhaps Nye's biggest boost came from the Democratic surge in Virginia, where voters favored the party's presidential candidate for the first time since 1964. He also likely benefited from having former Gov. Mark Warner, who was elected to the U.S. Senate, on the ballot.

Nye invoked Warner often, saying he would emulate his centrist style. Warner stumped for Nye and cut a TV advertisement for him, which Nye called "crucial" to his victory.

I n the 2nd District, Nye outpolled President-elect Barack Obama 51.5 percent to 49.6, suggesting that he attracted votes from people who voted for Sen. John McCain.

"If he benefited from coattails, he benefited from Mark Warner, not Obama," said Quentin Kidd, a Christopher Newport University political scientist.

Nye won every locality in the district, even barely taking Virginia Beach, where voters typically favor Republicans, especially in presidential election years.

Nye said he'd use his seat on the Armed Services Committee to maintain strong military funding, keep aircraft carriers in Norfolk and jets at Oceana. He said he'd work to get more equipment to troops fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. He reiterated his call for an exit strategy from Iraq to force Iraqis to take more responsibility for running the country.

Nye suggested some of the money saved from leaving Iraq could be used on infrastructure improvements in Hampton Roads, such as light rail, a third crossing and a new U.S. 460.

Whitehurst said Nye's membership in the majority party will help him.

"He won't get everything he wants, but he can make his case," he said. "If he shows extraordinary talent as a speaker or someone who is knowledgeable, the leadership will pay more attention to him."

Nye supporters point to his energy.

"He got out every place he could be," said Sandra Brandt, the 2nd District Democratic chairwoman. "I talked to him election eve and he said, 'I probably won't be through until

2 a.m. talking to people.' "

Nye finished the campaign shaking hands at two Waffle House restaurants early Tuesday morning.

"He worked very hard, raised a boatload of money and caught a tide," Geroe said.

Golden said the local Republican Party could have done more to help Drake.

"She told me Tuesday night, 'We let you down.' I said, 'No, you didn't let us down. We let you down.' "

Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com