Kellam, 49, was re-elected in November to a third term as Virginia Beach commissioner of the revenue. He had no opposition. He first won election to the job in 1997, defeating Republican Rickie L. Richards. He was re-elected to a second term in 2001, again defeating Richards.Kellam comes from a well-known political family in Virginia Beach and Princess Anne County. His grandfather was clerk of court, his father was a federal judge, and his uncle, Sidney Kellam, was the county?s political leader for 40 years.
There are already two others seeking the Democratic nomination, ex-marine and Iraq war vet David Ashe, (who ran against Drake in 2004 for what was an open seat in the 2nd) and businessman Troy Farlow.
NLS gives Kellam the advantage based on him being the "most popular Democrat in Virginia Beach . . . with a family name that goes back generations in the Beach" (as described above). Heck, there's even a high school named after his uncle.
Regardless, Raising Kaine is not ready to hand the nomination to Kellam just yet. Ashe, has credibility on national security issues as a war vet. Farlow has an impressive business background. Should be an interesting race -- and we hope to follow up our interview of Ashe with a discussion with both of the other Dem challengers.