The Virginia Beach-based state Senate seat Republican Ken Stolle holds isn't yet vacant (it won't be this year unless Stolle wins his bid for city Sheriff), but already one declared candidate for that office is the target of an Internet-based attack.
Beach businessman Jeff McWaters, who is campaigning to replace Stolle, is the focus of a Facebook page that questions his conservative Republican credentials and dubs the candidate "Terry McWarner" in an attempt to link him to Democrats Mark Warner and Terry McAuliffe.
A prominent GOP donor who founded Amerigroup Corp., McWaters is among a group of people eyeing the potential state Senate opening. If Stolle is elected Sheriff, a special election would be held to find his replacement.
State records show that McWaters has given almost exclusively to Republican candidates and causes since 2000 with an exception -- he gave a gift worth $225 to then Gov. Warner in 2003. Likewise, federal records show McWaters has primarily contributed money to Republicans, but has given to a few Democrats over the years.
When reached recently, McWaters said he was not aware of the Facebook page that is critical of him. He brushed aside questions about his commitment to GOP principles and candidates, shifting the conversation to his own recently launched Facebook page.
In addition to McWaters, Beach City Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Stolle's seat.
Democrat Jeff Breit, an attorney and former state party official, is also running. And former state Sen. Moody E. "Sonny" Stallings Jr., who lost the seat to Stolle in the 1991 election, has expressed some interest in a run.
UPDATE: Breit has withdrawn from the race. In an e-mail to supporters Monday, he cited his law firm workload and parenting responsibilities (Breit has four children under age 20) as factors in his decision.
-- Julian Walker and Deirdre Fernandes
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