Albert Pollard In, Peggy Evans Garland Out?

By: Lowell
Published On: 3/15/2007 11:22:27 AM

I received the following tip from a very reliable source about the Democratic competition for Sen. John Chichester's recently vacated 28th district Senate seat:

[Pollard]'s spoken to leadership and all the local chairs in district.  The place holder Peggy Evans Garland has already started returning checks and wholeheartedly supports Pollard.

He held the seat that Rob Whitman has now.  Pollard is strong in the Northern Neck, conservationists love him, socially and fiscally moderate.  Plus, he scares Whitman out of the hunt on the R side (which is good for us).

He's all ready been elected by about 38% of the Senate district he's seeking.  Stafford DC leadership is in love with him (we're pretty happy too), and without a race in H28 they can focus a lot of attention on this.

Pollard definitely puts this seat in play.  Moran was public on WTOP on Monday that he was Richmond's first choice as candidate.

Some other interesting things happening on the R side.  They missed the SBE filing deadline, so the S28 defaults to assembled caucus- exactly what [Legislative Chair] Russ Moulton wanted all along.  Rumour has it that Moulton and Van Hoy have cut a deal, Moulton gives him the S28 nomination in exchange Van Hoy swings the SCRC to Moulton's bunch of crazies.  This is going to be hard to stomach for all those moderate Rs and Is who loved Chichester.

This should be a fun race.  Sounds like a strong candidate for our ActBlue fundraising drive.

[UPDATE: This report has now been confirmed by "highly-placed sources in the Democratic Party."]

Comments



Very Exciting! (elevandoski - 3/15/2007 11:33:21 AM)
I like Pollard! I understand from NLS that Chichester does too.


Great news for the constituents of the 28th Senate District! (FxbAmy - 3/15/2007 1:17:28 PM)
I would like to congratulate Delegate Albert Pollard on his decision to seek the Senate seat in the 28th District!

While in Richmond, Delegate Pollard served on the Transportation, Labor & Commerce, Agriculture, and Public Safety committees.  His heartfelt commitment to conservation, public education, family issues, and sportsmen's rights was well documented.  And most importantly, Delegate Pollard was skillful at building coalitions regardless of party distinctions.  His leadership is desperately needed in the Virginia Senate. 

I am excited by the opportunity to work with Albert in Stafford County and beyond, and very much look forward to serving together in the General Assembly!

Commander Carlos Del Toro (USN, ret)
Candidate, 88th District
House of Delegates



I'd love to see you both in the General Assembly. (Lowell - 3/15/2007 1:57:52 PM)
Let's do it! :)


Very classy move by Peggy Garland (Chris Guy - 3/15/2007 3:38:52 PM)
Pollard's probably the strongest candidate for the seat we could come up with. This is huge! The 28th will be a marquee race to watch this cycle.


Great news that Pollard has a real shot to the Senate. But.... (Tom Counts - 3/15/2007 7:26:25 PM)
The But... is: But we can't afford to lose a House seat. I have to admit ignorance about whether Pollard is a former or incumbent delegate, but whether he is or not we need that HOD seat. Do we have a strong Dem. candidate for that HOD District seat ?

  T.C.



Pollard is not currently in the House (FxbAmy - 3/15/2007 7:45:33 PM)
He chose not to run for reelection in 2005 and his seat was a Republican pick up.  So we don't damage the House by having this stellar candidate in the Senate.

Hope this helps!



Mmm...pickup opportunity! (Kindler - 3/15/2007 8:44:25 PM)
Num, num, num...