2009 GOP Ticket
Since it appears our 2008 Senate candidate is pretty well set, I thought I would take a look at where the GOP is looking for its 2009 stable. In light of this weekend's Advance, we may be able to guess who may be making some moves.
Governor is probably the most widely known right now. From all indications, Bob McDonnell will run as will George Allen. If Allen chooses not to run, Bill Bolling will likely jump in the race.
The only other potential candidate I see here is Congressman Eric Cantor. He had a suite at the Advance, and his consultant would likely want to have a candidate for governor.
Lt. Governor is also potentially easy. Many expect Bolling to stay put, since he has indicated he will not run against George Allen. I don't see anyone challenging him if he stays.
If he chooses not to run (for whatever reason), there are a couple of candidates. Del. Chris Saxman would seemingly throw his name in the hat, after refusing a Senate run this year. Former Sen. Jay O'Brien also had a suite and is rumored to be running for LG. Gil Davis is also likely to run again, but I don't know if he will gain much traction.
Attorney General is the most wide open right now. Sen. Cuccinelli is likely to be running. Arlington County School Board Chairman Dave Foster is also looking to run for AG as well (even though I can't imagine how he could be a GOP and win in Arlington).
Steve Baril and Paul Harris were once seen as candidates, but both have been largely absent from any party events and apparently are not running. Sen. Mark Obenshain was also rumored to be running, but it appears he will not either.
There may be others that arise for the 3 offices, but this is all I am seeing right now.
It is amazing to me how low key this cycle has been, since 4 years ago we knew of most all the candidates that ultimately ran for statewide office.
Who does everyone else see running?
Governor is probably the most widely known right now. From all indications, Bob McDonnell will run as will George Allen. If Allen chooses not to run, Bill Bolling will likely jump in the race.
The only other potential candidate I see here is Congressman Eric Cantor. He had a suite at the Advance, and his consultant would likely want to have a candidate for governor.
Lt. Governor is also potentially easy. Many expect Bolling to stay put, since he has indicated he will not run against George Allen. I don't see anyone challenging him if he stays.
If he chooses not to run (for whatever reason), there are a couple of candidates. Del. Chris Saxman would seemingly throw his name in the hat, after refusing a Senate run this year. Former Sen. Jay O'Brien also had a suite and is rumored to be running for LG. Gil Davis is also likely to run again, but I don't know if he will gain much traction.
Attorney General is the most wide open right now. Sen. Cuccinelli is likely to be running. Arlington County School Board Chairman Dave Foster is also looking to run for AG as well (even though I can't imagine how he could be a GOP and win in Arlington).
Steve Baril and Paul Harris were once seen as candidates, but both have been largely absent from any party events and apparently are not running. Sen. Mark Obenshain was also rumored to be running, but it appears he will not either.
There may be others that arise for the 3 offices, but this is all I am seeing right now.
It is amazing to me how low key this cycle has been, since 4 years ago we knew of most all the candidates that ultimately ran for statewide office.
Who does everyone else see running?
posted by GOPHokie @ 9:12 PM
8 Comments:
At 12/03/2007 9:55 AM,
Anonymous said…
Rob Bell has shown interest in Attorney General. If McDonnell decides to take on Senator Allen for the nomination (doubtful) I could see Bell jumping into the race.
At 12/03/2007 11:05 AM,
Anonymous said…
I'm hearing Jerry Kilgore will likely toss his hat into the ring for AG if no clear candidate comes forward for the GOP.
I wish George Allen would come out and decide to run for U.S. Senate in 2008. I think he could give Mark Warner an excellent run.
At 12/03/2007 12:39 PM,
GOPHokie said…
9:55, McDonnell is going to run regardless of what George Allen does. As to Bell, it is my understanding that he will not run b/c of his young children. I haven't talked to him in quite a while; but that was the last word I heard.
Do you have new info?
At 12/03/2007 2:31 PM,
Anonymous said…
Poor Rob Bell; Everytime I hear his name I think back to Vance Wilkins' description of Rob: "Geez. What a dork." I'm afraid he wouldn't play too well in a tv commercial.
Cooch would get painted into the extreme right corner and someone like Creigh Deeds would end up eating his lunch.
It sure would be nice if Bob would just stay put, but that is NOT going to happen. He's in the race for Governor no matter what. Allen or no Allen.
A ticket of Allen/Bolling/McDonnell has to make Democrats shake in their shoes.
At 12/03/2007 7:52 PM,
Anonymous said…
Bob McDonnel better think long and hard about challanging Allen if he decides to run for Governor. Bob barely won in 2005 and there are many who love Bob but have deep reservations as to whether he is ready for prime time.
Ghost of Alexander Hamilton
At 12/03/2007 10:23 PM,
Anonymous said…
Cuccinelli only won by 92 votes so he has been weakened and should not run state wide. He would have lost this time had there been a smarter Democrat running.
At 12/09/2007 12:55 PM,
Anonymous said…
Poor Rob Bell? The man has done more in 6 years in office than most do in 12. Here's a few reasons why he would be a GREAT candidate:
1) Bell authored the legislative fix for Kelo v. City of New London http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelo_v._New_London
2) He authored legislation that ensures that every felon has his DNA drawn at the time he is sentenced. This information goes into the state's database and is used whenever there is DNA evidence present at the scene of the crime. Thus, it helps catch criminals and exonerate the innocent.
3) Rob Bell's anti-bullying law requires each school to institute a bullying prevention program, makes certain notice is given to parents if their child was a victim of a crime and ensures that teachers who intervene will not be sued.
I'm happy to provide others if needed. You've obviously never seen Rob's ads either -- they're top shelf.
At 12/30/2007 8:27 PM,
Anonymous said…
McDonnell needs to stay at home. George Allen was a great Governor and can be again.
As for AG, I like Steve Baril. He is truly an honest man of character with all of the tools necessary to be sucessful in the position.
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