Now that Thelma Drake has made clear she won't try to regain the 2nd District congressional seat next year, the district's Republican leader said "the field is wide open."
One candidate has announced and a former Virginia Beach City Council member is giving some thought to running, but Gary C. Byler, 2nd District Republican committee chairman, said things are far from settled.
"Let the fun begin," Byler said, adding that any prospective candidates for the Republican nomination to face U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye in November 2010 will have to prove their mettle by working hard to get Bob McDonnell elected governor this year.
Nye, a Democrat, defeated Drake last fall, ending her two-term stint in the House representing a district that includes Virginia Beach, part of Norfolk, Hampton and the Eastern Shore.
"We need somebody who can voice the Republican message effectively and show leadership," Byler said.
At present, the only announced GOP candidate is Chuck Smith, an attorney and former party chairman in Virginia Beach.
Richard Maddox, a businessman who was on the Beach City Council from 2002 to 2006, said Wednesday he is "thinking about" running and has talked with some party members, but he isn't ready to make a decision.
Byler said several others could be strong candidates, including Beach City Council member Rosemary Wilson and Jeff McWaters, founder and retired CEO of Amerigroup Corp.
However, both said Wednesday that they are more interested in running for the state Senate seat now held by Ken Stolle. Stolle is running for Virginia Beach sheriff in November and would have to give up the 8th District senate seat if he wins.
McWaters said he would definitely run for senate should Stolle be elected sheriff.
Wilson said it has been "very flattering" to be considered for the House race, but "I'm looking to run for Ken Stolle's Senate seat."
Two other prominent Beach party members - Will Sessoms, who was elected mayor in November, and city GOP chairman Kenny Golden - both said they have no desire to run for Congress.
Byler said party leaders won't decide until after the November election whether their nominee will be chosen at a spring convention or a June primary.
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
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Well Max, someone needs to
Well Max, someone needs to define what the conservative credentials are. I went to Chuck Smith's web site and if those are the conservative credentials, then I am un-impressed. In my view, the republicans have lost their way and don't know what they stand for anymore. One thing for sure is that it is not for smaller limited government. They certainly turned us all into criminals when they passed The Patriot Act and implemented The Dept. of Homeland Security. They certainly spent alot of money. They had the whole ball of wax for what 8 years? They blew it. Now they have another year and a half to think about where they screwed up. From the looks of things, they have a long way to go.
...
I know Byler is 2nd District Chair, I worked for him from before he was elected until a few months ago. I was saying that anyone interested in running, but was leaning against it because of how screwed up the GOP is, should go talk to Byler. If you think you can't raise the money, don't worry about it. If you have the fire in the belly, the conservative credentials, and the right message we will make sure you get a fair shot. It's about policy, not politics.
The article suggests that you win your chops ...
... by helping Bob McDonnell get elected governor. While that would certainly earn you a lot of goodwill with the GOP, I think it's more important to contrast yourself with Congressman Nye. Democrats always win elections by showing just how "different" they are from the Republicans, by how much "better" they are. Republicans should take a page from their book. Some call it negative campaigning; I call it contrast campaigning.
And whoever wants to run against Nye needs to start right now. Now is the time, while Virginia is in the national spotlight, for "up-and-comers" to make their names.
Max, Gary Blyer is 2nd
Max, Gary Blyer is 2nd District Republican committee chairman. He doesn't appear interested in running of state or federal office. I believe if he did, he would have thrown in his hat as well. There definitely needs to be more voices other than democrats and republicans. At least with democrats, they tell you they are for big government and a nanny state. Republicans say one thing and do another. It has become tradition.
No Libertarian
A libertarian running for the 2nd of for Stolle's seat would be stupid. It would increase the chances of a liberal Republican winning the nomination and it would split the conservative vote ensuring that the democrats would win. How about any Libertarians thinking of running go talk to Gary Byler. He is basically libertarian and as open minded as they come. He wants someone that can communicate the limited government, personal freedom message as effectively as possible.
GOP
I went to Chucks website. Again, the same Republican retoric. The Republicans are no longer the party of smaller and limited government. The same retoric that we have to be the policeman of the world, pay foreign aid to countries that hate us, and make them embrace democracy. What utter rubbish. Mr. Smith is no different than the rest of the ones that preceded him. They stand for nothing anymore. You are also not able to post anything on Mr. Smith's blog either. I have tried. I am hoping that a Libertarian will throw their hat in the ring.
As for Rosemary Wilson for state senate? I am going to be sick.