Looking ahead to 2009

By: James Martin
Published On: 12/27/2007 9:08:05 PM

I've been asked by a couple people who the Democrats will be running for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General in 2009... and I honestly haven't heard of anyone. That said- I made a list of possible candidates:

Congressman LF Payne- He's clearly interested in statewide office and I doubt he can find substantial support if he were to run for Governor after his long siesta from elected office. He would however be a strong candidate for Lt. Governor.

Minority Leader Ward Armstrong- With his new position as Minority Leader, I don't think he will run for statewide office anytime soon.

Delegate Jennifer McClellan- She's young, passionate, and incredibly progressive- That said, she will probably wait a couple cycles (I just think she would be excellent).

Delegate Steve Shannon- I've heard alot of rumors that he will run for Attorney General... He is a former prosecutor and is a proven fundraiser. He'll probably wait for Brian Moran to announce his 2009 intentions before declaring- but I think he's in.

Fmr. Delegate Viola Baskerville- Delegate Baskerville is currently serving as Kaine's Secretary of Administration and has an incredible regional base of support (as shown by her close 2nd place finish in 2005) She was my candidate in 2005... I sincerely hope she runs again.

Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner- She certainly is  an exciting opportunity- When is the last time a Democrat from Virginia Beach ran for statewide office?

Senator John Edwards- Edwards is a remarkably strong regional candidate in Roanoke... If he can raise $1 million this time- I think he would prove to be a formidable candidate.

Senator-elect Donald McEachin- He's run for Statewide office before... So he clearly has big ambitions. (see comments- Thanks teacherken)

Senator-elect Chap Petersen- The Democratic Caucus will probably nail him to his current seat in the State Senate until after redistricting- but I think Chap has a substantial amount to offer if he were to run (but I think he'll wait until 2013).

Who else have you been hearing from? Leave your thoughts in the comments and I'll add them to the post.

UPDATE: Just got an email adding Delegate Kenny Alexander (Norfolk), to the list. He is apparently talking about running for Lt. Governor.

Comments



Don McEachin said he is not running (teacherken - 12/27/2007 10:10:49 PM)
I spoke with him at warner's Pig Roast, and Don made clear that hving just been elected to a 4 year term in the Senate, that's on what he will concentrate - he will not run again statewide until 2013.  

No I suppose he could change his mind, but given other parts of that conversation, about things more personal, I tend to think he is not moving on this one.



Steve Shannon was making the rounds (Randy Klear - 12/27/2007 10:59:01 PM)
at the last state central committee meeting, and was pretty open about wanting to run.


I thought.. (novademocrat - 12/28/2007 12:38:53 AM)
we were holding off until at least 2008 before we started talking about 2009 again?


You know (afausser - 12/28/2007 11:51:07 AM)
we can't not talk about something involving politics, no matter what year it is or how many times we say we won't :)


In general, I'd prefer to take (Lowell - 12/28/2007 2:02:44 PM)
one year at a time.  An occasional article on 2009 over the next 11 months or so, a lot more after November, makes sense to me.


I agree... (novademocrat - 12/28/2007 2:22:29 PM)
But I think we've had too many this month...


Well, that's only because... (Lowell - 12/28/2007 2:25:28 PM)
...Creigh Deeds announced for governor this month.  I mean, we couldn't exactly ignore it, right?  Having said that, I revert to my previous comment about focusing on 2008, preferably through election day in November.


Attorney General Candidate (Shawn - 12/28/2007 9:55:10 PM)
I'd like to see Larry Roberts, Counselor to Governor Kaine make a run for Attorney General.