Former Beach Mayor Oberndorf considers state Senate bid

VIRGINIA BEACH

Meyera Oberndorf may yet have another act in local elective politics.

The former Virginia Beach mayor told members of the city's Democratic committee she's weighing a run for state Senate in the 7th District.

Republican Sen. Frank Wagner currently represents that district, which includes portions of Norfolk and the Beach after redistricting. He is seeking re-election this year.

Oberndorf, 70, hasn't formally declared her candidacy or made clear whether she will run as a Democrat. She expects to decide shortly, perhaps as early as Friday.

"It's fair to say that I'm evaluating the situation," Oberndorf said Wednesday morning after addressing the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee the night before.

The deadline for political parties to nominate candidates is Aug. 23, the same date contested legislative primary elections will be held in districts across Virginia.

If Oberndorf enters the race, it wouldn't be her first bid for state Senate. The Newport News native previously lost legislative campaigns as a Republican and an independent.

She was more successful in local contests. Oberndorf was the first woman elected to the Beach City Council in 1976 and later became the first directly elected mayor of the city, a position she held for more than 20 years until her 2008 defeat by Will Sessoms, the city's current mayor.

Also considering another run for a Beach-based state Senate seat is William Fleming, who was defeated in a January 2010 special election by Republican Jeff McWaters.

Fleming ran as a Democrat in that contest, but may file as an independent for a possible rematch with McWaters in the 8th District.

Republicans are targeting the state Senate for takeover in the fall election, while Democrats will try to maintain or expand their 22-18 majority.

The GOP presently has candidates in 35 of the 40 Senate districts and is focusing party resources in several key races, including the 6th District contest between Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, and Republican Ben Loyola.

After taking the lead in drawing new Senate district lines this spring, Democrats have candidates in 27 races, many of them in seats the party now holds.

A net gain of two seats for Republicans effectively would give them control of the chamber.

That's because Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling has a tiebreaking vote when senators are deadlocked, a powerful tool he could use more frequently next year if the Senate has an even partisan split.

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com