VA-2nd District Representative Scott Rigell (R) now has a solid Democratic contender for the 2014 election.
Suzanne Patrick has announced her candidacy for the House of Representatives.
VA-2nd District includes the City of Virginia Beach, Accomack and Northampton Counties, and swaths of both Hampton and Norfolk. The area encompasses several military bases and there is A LOT of military (both active and retired) who have made this their home...so her record of service is a definite asset in the district.
Scott Rigell first won his seat in 2010...and then won re-election in a close race in 2012. Prior to serving as our Representative (/sigh) he ran 3 large local car dealerships (yup, a used car salesman...fitting, no?). I, for one, would LOVE to see him gone.
Patrick's campaign touts her as a 'centrist Democrat'. I know that chaffs some here...but, this is Virginia, we are still in the process of evolving from a Red State to a Blue State. Believe me, any sort of Democrat is better than what we have in Rigell.
Some of you may recall the scandal of 2nd District's past Representative, Ed Shrock. We then were anchored with the odious Bushie Thelma Drake. Democrat Glenn Nye (2008-2010) was a pleasant, but, too brief, reprieve from the Republican's hold on this seat. A closeted anti-gay hypocritical liar, a Bush toadie, and a used car salesman. Oy vey. So, yes, to say I'm thrilled to see a viable Democratic candidate throw HER hat in ring would be an understatement!
"As a fourth-generation military officer, I've dedicated my entire career to service - under Democrats and Republicans alike - and I am determined to restore the bipartisan problem solving that prevailed during the Reagan Administration when I first started my Navy career as a civilian. Congressman Rigell's voting record and his partisanship, especially on the sequester, has made life tougher for the military, families and seniors. It's time to put aside the partisan bickering, focus on prioritizing our spending, and start fixing problems for our middle class families," Patrick said.
-Wavy.com (local news)
I look forward to hearing more from her.
I look forward to helping her remove Rigell from office.
If we can defeat both Cuccinelli AND Rigell in 2014 I will be beyond thrilled.
I am actually feeling good about our odds.
It's never too early to start GOTV efforts....
Come on Virginia...let's continue our 'Evolution' from Red to Blue!
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12:47 PM PT: On Rigell's vote for the damaging sequester:
Patrick said Rigell "really did not have to" vote for the sequester.
"Especially in that Rigell's district has the largest naval base in the world," she said. "It's unconscionable to vote for the sequester."
Patrick served 21 years in the Navy reserve and retired this year with the rank of commander. She has held several civilian defense positions, including deputy undersecretary of defense for industrial policy from 2001-05 under former President George W. Bush.
- UPI.com
1:50 PM PT: Donate to Suzanne Patrick for Congress!!
(thanks for the link pipsorcle!)