Congressional Quarterly serves up a nice profile of Glenn Nye (H/T VBDems), who is stepping up to challenge Thelma Drake for the congressional seat serving the southeast corner of the Commonwealth:
Virginia Democrat Glenn Nye, a former Foreign Service officer who has worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is touting a background in international affairs in his contest against Republican Rep. Thelma Drake[, who] was narrowly re-elected in 2006, and Nye could give her a competitive race this year.Nye, a first-time candidate for office, recently returned from a nine-month stint in Iraq, working with USAID on a program to employ Iraqis. He's served in other world trouble spots, including Afghanistan, the West Bank and Kosovo.
He's got quite a resume -- one that will allow him to debate the war with Thelma from the high ground. In supporting a timeline to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq, he can make his arguments based on almost a year of experience in Iraq. And such a position is a welcome contrast with Drake, especially given that Phil Kellam may not have drawn enough differences between himself and the incumbent in 2006.
Nye has described the response to his candidacy and his background as "overwhelming" and "very enthusiastic" -- and he's raised more than $100,000 in three weeks. That's a good start, and hopefully he can make the 2nd a true battleground this year.