McDonnell to endorse Rigell in GOP primary

Gov. Bob McDonnell, the leader of the state’s Republican Party, is publicly taking sides today in the party’s 2nd Congressional District primary by endorsing a longtime friend and campaign contributor, Scott Rigell, over five other GOP contenders.
 
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling also is expected to participate in the announcement, scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel.
 
The June 8 primary will choose a party nominee to challenge U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, a Democrat, in the November election. The district includes all of Virginia Beach and the Eastern Shore and parts of Norfolk and Hampton.
 
The endorsement demonstrates the pull that Rigell has enjoyed in the contest, including support from high-ranking Virginia Republicans such as U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, the House minority whip, and the largest campaign fund, fueled largely by his own contributions.
 
Meanwhile , his opponents have criticized him for not being conservative enough for the district.
 
Phil Cox, the governor’s senior political advise r, said Wednesday that McDonnell’s decision was influenced by his “unique and very close friendship” with Rigell, a first-time candidate for public office and owner of Freedom Automotive.
 
Predictably, other Republican primary candidates were not happy, with some suggesting McDonnell’s support is an unfair intrusion.
 
“It’s completely inappropriate to do it,” candidate Ed Maulbeck said. “The Republican Party proved they can’t stay out of the primary. … I don’t appreciate it. The voters don’t appreciate it.”
 
Shawn Pattison, campaign manager for GOP contender Bert Mizusawa, said: “We’re disappointed to see the governor take sides without evaluating the experience and records of the candidates objectively . This is based on the personal relationship and not the candidates.”
 
Candidate Scott Taylor said he has “tremendous respect” for McDonnell, but the endorsement before the party vote shows Rigell is weak.
 
“What other kind of hand holding does he need in a primary?” Taylor said.
 
The other two Republicans in the primary are Ben Loyola and Jessica Sandlin.
 
Jason Miyares, Rigell’s campaign manager, said there’s nothing wrong with McDonnell taking sides in a primary.
 
“I don’t think the governor loses his freedom of speech just because he’s the governor,” Miyares said.
 
Rigell, who made a personal fortune in auto sales, has been a longtime contributor to Republican campaigns and strongly backed McDonnell’s political rise.
 
During McDonnell’s successful campaigns for the House of Delegates, attorney general and last year’s gubernatorial election, Rigell, his wife and his businesses contributed a total of $134,000, according to campaign records compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.
 
Rigell, who has a significantly larger campaign bank account than his competitors, has been the biggest supporter of his own effort. He had given or loaned his congressional campaign almost $600,000, according to his March 31 federal campaign report.
 
The McDonnells and Rigells have “been close family friends for over two decades,” Cox said.
 
McDonnell’s oldest daughter, Jeanine, already has endorsed Rigell, as has the governor’s sister, Maureen McDonnell-Uncapher.
 
Bob McDonnell also made a brief appearance at Rigell’s formal campaign kickoff in January but did not address the crowd.
 
Rigell’s campaign paid McDonnell-Uncapher’s firm, Triangle Consultants, $11,500 this year for fundraising services, according to federal campaign filings. McDonnell-Uncapher also donated $500 to Rigell’s campaign.

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
 
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com