Candidates jockey for 8th District race that may not happen

VIRGINIA BEACH

It's an iffy race, but it's all the buzz in Virginia Beach's political circles.

Candidates are raising money, hiring staff and campaigning to replace state Sen. Ken Stolle of the 8th District if the opportunity arises later this year.

Stolle, a Republican, is running to become the Virginia Beach s heriff in November. If Stolle beats Democrat police Capt. John Bell Jr., the governor will call a special election a few weeks later to fill Stolle's senate vacancy. If Stolle loses, he will remain a senator.

The potential open seat has drawn interest from high-profile candidates on both sides. Virginia Beach councilwoman Rosemary Wilson and Jeff McWaters, the former CEO of Amerigroup Corp. and a top GOP donor, are both vying to be the Republican nominee.

Jeff Breit, an attorney and former Democratic state party vice chairman, is also running.

McWaters and Breit have both filed statements of organization, which allow them to spend and raise money. Wilson is raising money through the committee she used to raise funds for her City Council seat. Virginia election laws allow candidates to transfer money from committees between races.

The candidates acknowledge that they're in an unusual position, campaigning so far in advance and with each party's leadership focused on the race for governor, attorney general and other seats in the General Assembly.

"It's a very weird situation," Wilson said. "We're fighting for a seat that doesn't exist."

Still, if Stolle wins the sheriff's race, the candidates said there's too short a window to campaign for the Senate seat.

"It requires me to be ready," said McWaters, who has hired consultants and has met with community groups and individual business leaders to talk about the issues and the race.

Breit, the Democrat, has another challenge. He is running for a seat that will become open later this year only if a fellow Democrat loses the sheriff's race.

Breit said the Republicans are already campaigning and he has little choice.

"If it's open, I need to have done what's necessary," Breit said.

But politicos from both parties are concerned about this early campaigning for the 8th D istrict.

Beach councilman Ron Villanueva, a Republican who is in a November race against incumbent Del. Bobby Mathieson for the 21st District, said he worries that donors will tire of writing checks to so many different candidates.

"Folks shouldn't get ahead of themselves," Villanueva said. "We should focus on November."

Sonny Stallings, a Democrat who held the 8th District Senate seat before Stolle, agreed.

Stallings said "it's wrong" for Democrats to campaign in the hopes that Bell will lose the sheriff's race.

Still, Stallings said he understands why the race is generating attention.

W ith the Senate closely split between Democrats and Republicans - 21 to 19 - with a battle over redistricting expected in 2011, this seat could help tip the balance, Stallings said.

"That's a lot of chips on the table," Stallings said. He, too, is considering a run for the 8th District seat.

What happens if this Senate seat isn't vacant later this year?

There's always 2011, Breit said.

On election night, "We'll know... whether I was being premature or prepared," he said.

Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com