Challenge in the 28th?
John Chichester is probably the second most disliked GOP Senator (after Potts) statewide amongst the GOP faithful. This is interesting because while there are already 4 primary challenges that are official or well known; and the 28th isn't one of them.
For those of you who don't know; reasons GOPs everywhere cannot stand him range from his support of tax increases for the past few years, to being the stumbling block on the budget under Gilmore and the GOP House, to getting Potts his chairmanship after 2005. Probably his biggest sin was giving cover and allowing Governor Warner to raise taxes without being held responsible by asking for a higher amount than Warner wanted; to allow him to be a "compromiser".
Chichester represents a solid GOP district that runs from Fauquier County, through Stafford, down the penisula to Northumberland.
As Senate Pro Tempe, he is essentially kingmaker in the Senate and makes all the decisions. He can pretty much be held responsible for anything that happens in that body.
With all this, why has no one stepped forward to challenge him? He should be one of the easiest targets in the state, b/c GOPs all over want to see this man ousted.
On the money front, Chichester has $336,675 on hand. Maybe thats why no one has stepped forward yet. Not only that, but he controls the Senate Leadership Trust; which boasts another $565,638 on hand. Obviously that money will be used to help all incumbents; but Chichester still has almost a million bucks at his disposal.
I firmly believe someone will eventually announce they are challenging Chichester; but I have no idea who it will be. An early rumor was that Del. Lingamfelter would be challenging, but it appears that was incorrect (he will probably run for LG in 2009). Most likely, a challenge would have to be from Stafford to have a shot. Obviously the candidate here will make the difference in a rating for this race.
I will keep everyone up-to-date on any new developments here.
For those of you who don't know; reasons GOPs everywhere cannot stand him range from his support of tax increases for the past few years, to being the stumbling block on the budget under Gilmore and the GOP House, to getting Potts his chairmanship after 2005. Probably his biggest sin was giving cover and allowing Governor Warner to raise taxes without being held responsible by asking for a higher amount than Warner wanted; to allow him to be a "compromiser".
Chichester represents a solid GOP district that runs from Fauquier County, through Stafford, down the penisula to Northumberland.
As Senate Pro Tempe, he is essentially kingmaker in the Senate and makes all the decisions. He can pretty much be held responsible for anything that happens in that body.
With all this, why has no one stepped forward to challenge him? He should be one of the easiest targets in the state, b/c GOPs all over want to see this man ousted.
On the money front, Chichester has $336,675 on hand. Maybe thats why no one has stepped forward yet. Not only that, but he controls the Senate Leadership Trust; which boasts another $565,638 on hand. Obviously that money will be used to help all incumbents; but Chichester still has almost a million bucks at his disposal.
I firmly believe someone will eventually announce they are challenging Chichester; but I have no idea who it will be. An early rumor was that Del. Lingamfelter would be challenging, but it appears that was incorrect (he will probably run for LG in 2009). Most likely, a challenge would have to be from Stafford to have a shot. Obviously the candidate here will make the difference in a rating for this race.
I will keep everyone up-to-date on any new developments here.
posted by GOPHokie @ 4:28 PM
5 Comments:
At 2/08/2007 5:44 PM,
Anonymous said…
Unfortunately, due to the fact Chichester would have almost unlimited amounts of money at his disposal, it would take someone with a name to beat him. (Plus tons of cash) Chichester also has access to special interest PACs that normally donate to incumbants. In a serious primary challenge I think he could race 3/4 of a million dollars just for himself if needed. In my opinion he has made himself pretty much untouchable.
I just don't think a viable challenger is going to happen. I hope I am wrong.
At 2/08/2007 6:25 PM,
GOPHokie said…
Viable is key word. I think there will be a challenger, but how good that challenger will be is another story.
At 2/08/2007 6:41 PM,
Anonymous said…
A viable challenger is the key. Money should not be an issue if people are really as mad as they seem.
Let me know if you would like to contribute to http://chichestermustgo.blogspot.com or be added to the alliance.
At 2/09/2007 12:12 PM,
Anonymous said…
You're referring to the Northern Neck peninsula right? Having said that, the candidate has to come out of Stafford where Chi Chi used to live. I still think Chi gets 60% because folks still like him in Stafford/F-burg, and he's very popular in the Northern Neck.
At 2/11/2007 7:03 PM,
GOPHokie said…
Yes thats correct. Chichester has basically the entire peninsula.
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