Virginia Beach Sheriff Paul Lanteigne announced Monday that he will not challenge Thelma Drake for the Republican nomination for the 2nd District congressional seat. From the Pilot article:
"I have been advised that with Phil Kellam unopposed for the Democratic nomination, some Democrats are advocating crossing over into the Republican primary and voting for Thelma Drake," Lanteigne wrote. "This is being encouraged because they see Mrs. Drake as the weaker candidate. While this may be a successful strategy for the Democrats, it would make it extremely difficult for me to secure the Republican nomination."
The idea of crossing over to vote in a primary is not new. Just look at the number of D's that voted in the Republican primary in 2000.
One of the more interesting things I've heard about this race is that some Republicans are privately advocating crossing over in the general election and voting for Kellam. No doubt this will be an interesting race.