Beach's Sessoms jumps party lines for Wagner

He always votes Republican, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms said this morning, and he'll do so again this November.

With one exception.

When it comes to the lieutenant governor's race, Sessoms said, he'll pull the lever for his friend and associate of 25 years, local attorney and businesswoman Jody Wagner, a Democrat.

The mayor of Virginia's largest city is one of the most prominent names on the 21-member "Republicans and Independents for Wagner" steering committee announced today by the Wagner campaign.

Standing beside former Mayor Meyera Oberndorf, whom he defeated last year, Sessoms praised Wagner for her bipartisan approach to solving the state's problems.

"Partisanship will not get one darn thing accomplished," he declared. "People have got to cross the aisle. They've got to work together."

"Bill Bolling's not very happy with me right now," Sessoms added, referring to the incumbent lieutenant governor. He said the Hanover County Republican had been to his office seeking his endorsement.

Today's event at Wagner's campaign headquarters caught the attention of the Bolling camp, which immediately put its own spin on it.

"It is our understanding that Mayor Sessoms has a longstanding personal relationship with the Wagner family, and that is the reason he has chosen to endorse Ms. Wagner's campaign," said Matthew Wells, a Bolling spokesman. "We understand the importance of personal relationships and we respect the mayor's decision."

Other names on Wagner's "Republicans and Independents" committee include Norfolk City Councilmen Barclay Winn and Randy Wright.

--Bill Sizemore

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