Rigell takes GOP primary in 2nd District

VIRGINIA BEACH

Scott Rigell, the first-time candidate with the most money and the support of Virginia's Republican heavyweights, easily won the GOP's 2nd Congressional District primary on Tuesday, setting the stage for an aggressive November contest with U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, a first-term Democrat.

Rigell defeated five others for the nomination, winning a majority of the votes in his hometown, Virginia Beach, as well as in Norfolk and on the Eastern Shore. Only in Hampton was he outpolled - by native son Bert Mizusawa.

Rigell, 50, made a personal fortune as owner of Freedom Automotive and has repeatedly told audiences that he will use his skills as a businessman to tackle the recession. He said tax cuts and a loosening of government regulations are needed to jump-start the economy and create more jobs.

He supports a crackdown on illegal immigration, opposes gay marriage and wants to repeal the health care overhaul approved this year.

Overall, Rigell took nearly 40 percent of the vote. Ben Loyola Jr., who had the support of the Hampton Roads Tea Party, came in second with about 26 percent of the vote. Following Loyola were Mizusawa, an attorney and owner of a defense consulting firm; Scott Taylor, owner of a fitness center and real estate brokerage; Jessica Sandlin, a freelance writer; and Ed Maulbeck, a construction contractor.

In an emotional concession speech at his campaign headquarters, Loyola said Rigell's superior financial resources and support from the Republican establishment were too much to overcome.

Loyola said he will support Rigell in November "because we need to win back this seat."

But "we're not going away," he added. "This is my home. This is where my business is, where my family is. And this is my country."

Karen Miner Hurd, founder and chairwoman of the Hampton Roads Tea Party, blamed Loyola's loss on the large field of candidates. If the three bottom candidates had dropped out and coalesced behind Loyola, she said, he would have won.

"They were selfish," she said.

Rigell, who spent more than $1 million in the primary - much of it his own money - has been deemed by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a "young gun," meaning he qualifies for significant financial help in the fall. Nye has already accumulated more than $1 million in his election fund, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission reports. Kenny Golden, a former Republican Party official, is running as an independent.

National Democratic and Republican party leaders view the seat as crucial to the control of the U.S. House.

Nye, who bucked his party on the health care overhaul and the cap-and-trade energy bill, acknowledged in a recent interview that it will be a spirited general election. He has spent considerable time on veterans issues and has been a leader of efforts to block the movement of a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier to Mayport, Fla. He also voted against the party's 2010 budget proposal, saying it had too much deficit spending. However, he supported the multibillion-dollar economic stimulus bill, which increased the federal deficit.

"I think we're going to make a very clear case for re-election based on my accomplishments," he said. "We're going to talk about working together in a bipartisan way to make things happen in Hampton Roads."

Rigell urged his supporters to reach out to Tea Party members, who he said have similar values, and was sharp in his dismissal of Nye,

"This election is about leadership or the failure thereof, right here in the 2nd Congressional District," Rigell said. "He is not a leader in any area."

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com

Bill Sizemore, (757) 446-2276, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com