Yesterday, Republicans nominated right-wing ideologue (and the son-in-law of recently defeated Dick "Baby Pesticides" Black) Mick Staton to run for Bill Mims? vacated Senate seat in Loudoun County. No surprises there, although apparently the turnout was heavier than expected. On the Democratic side, we've got a great candidate, Mark Herring, in a district that was carried by Tim Kaine by a large margin, and that was held by Democratic Sen. Charles Waddell fo 27 years. Herring is a small business owner, a community leader, and Chairman of the Land Use Committee on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. According to Herring's website:
He has been a strong advocate for economic development and road improvements that bring jobs and transportation solutions to citizens while not encouraging over-development that puts stress on schools, traffic and costs of governmental services.
Herring is close to Governor Kaine, having been "personal friends for more than 15 years." Herring is also close politically to the Warner-Kaine, bipartisan, "forward together" approach to state government. In other words, Mark Herring is exactly what we need in Richmond right now.
In contrast, Mick Staton is a divisive politician in the tradition of his father-in-law, Dick Black. Staton's focus is not on roads, education or health care, but on hot-button social issues that tear us apart. A self-described ?outspoken defender of the unborn, the Second Amendment, and a staunch opponent of higher taxes," Staton's priority apparently is to ?work to protect traditional marriage and traditional family values in Virginia.? Just what we need, in other words, another Dick Black. No thank you.
Go Herring!
P.S. The election is on January 31.