GOP hopefuls weigh challenge to Perriello in ’10
Several Republicans are beginning to weigh a possible bid against U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, a freshman congressman up for re-election next year.
Perriello was elected last fall after beating six-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, by a margin of only 727 votes.
The GOP views Perriello as one of the country’s most vulnerable Democrats. Republicans see his district — which stretches from the Charlottesville area down to the Southside communities of Danville and Martinsville — as a good opportunity to win back a seat in 2010.
Perriello, Republicans believe, won in part because he was on the ticket with Barack Obama, helping to boost voter turnout. In 2010, Perriello would have no such advantage.
Goode has filed for re-election, but says he has not yet made up his mind if he will run.
If Goode opts not to, Sen. Robert Hurt, a Republican who represents Danville and surrounding counties, said he would consider running against Perriello.
“I’m very interested to see what Virgil does,” Hurt said. “I’ve supported Virgil for as long as I can remember. I’ve encouraged him to run again. If for some reason that doesn’t happen, then [running] is something that I’d consider.”
Another rumored GOP contender, Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County, said Friday that he is not interested in running for Congress, at least not right now.
“People have certainly called me about it, but it’s not something I’m looking at,” Bell said.
The Hill newspaper reported that Bell had met with the National Republican Congressional Committee about the possibility of running against Perriello. In an interview Friday, Bell denied that such a meeting took place.
“I’m not thinking about anything right now other than my own race as delegate,” he said. “Obviously Virgil’s going to decide what he wants to do. That’s the next step.”
Bell is facing a challenge for his House of Delegates seat this fall from Democrat Cynthia Neff of Albemarle County.
Yet another name being tossed around as a possible GOP challenger is Cordel Faulk, director of communications for the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. Prior to joining Larry J. Sabato’s organization in September 2008, Faulk worked as the Commentary editor at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Faulk declined to say much about the idea but did not rule out a possible run.
“Some people have asked me to think about it,” he said. “I haven’t said yes and I haven’t said no.”
One candidate who has already thrown his hat into the ring is Franklin County resident Bradley Rees, who works on an assembly line at a manufacturing plant in Lynchburg.
Rees, who writes a blog called sonsofliberty2k10, is a vocal advocate of the so-called “FairTax” that would replace federal income taxes with a national retail sales tax. Rees said he has been “kind of forced into running” because of what he sees as the government infringing on his liberties.
“There’s so much encroachment,” he said. “The federal government confiscates my money before I can put food on the table for my family.”
Rees also said that government regulations and corporate taxes have led to declines in the manufacturing sector.
He considers himself a “reluctant Republican,” as he views himself as somewhat closer to a Libertarian. Nevertheless, he said, he plans to run to win the GOP nomination to challenge Perriello.
As for Perriello, the congressman is focused on the job he was hired to do, press secretary Jessica Barba said.
“Congressman Perriello believes the best way to get re-elected is to do his job well,” she said. “That means working toward economic recovery and bringing jobs to the 5th District.”
Like most incumbents, Perriello will have several advantages heading into his re-election bid. He will enjoy the benefits of name recognition. And he has the opportunity to continue taking steps in Congress that bring jobs and projects to Central and Southside Virginia. Also helping Perriello will be his war chest. According to his most recent Federal Election Commission report, Perriello had more than $214,000 in his campaign account.
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Reader Reactions
Aha! Common ground is a great place to begin, though the lesser of two evils is still evil. I am interested in seeing how the freshman handles himself, but yes, I am definately not a fan of big government. Recent adventures in “change” have me thoroughly perplexed as to whether any member of Congress—both houses, both parties—ever took any courses in 1) history, 2) civics, or 3) economics.
We agree on one thing, I don’t think Goode would be the right choice for the Republican Party next year and I do think that he will probably loose to Perriello. This is unfortunate because with all his faults I prefer the good old boy to “Government Knows Best” Perriello.
I am tired of having to choose the lesser of two evils.
WRONG.
Not a liberal—friends, family, and associates would have a good laugh at that accusation.
The legislative priorities followed by many—not all—so-called Republicans in the Commonwealth are indeed contrary to the interests of public education, in my opinion. A full, detailed exposition would be too large to print here. The key to me is one of attitude, which influences action—that education is a whipping child for cultural battles over social issues. I have been personal witness to some fairly vile language reserved for teachers and educators, people of color, and many other groups outside the “conservative” mainstream—on rare occasion, someone gets caught in public—George Allen—and it is the tip of the iceberg.
As someone who comes to this area from another region, I have my biases and distastes against good old boy cronyism and the historic abberation that serves as a “Republican Party” in the Commonwealth. Specific to this area, Goode represented everything that was wrong about the party, and he lost. If he decides to run again, he and his supporters will make a nasty fight of it, and lose again. I’d like to see a sensible candidate who is truly conservative—not a protectionist, religious idealogue, or backwoods populist.
“The xenophobic, homophobic, anti-education coalition of know-nothings is not a political party…“ Typical liberal no valid points so start name calling.
Just how the disorganized Republicrats expect to gather more votes next cycle without bringing reform to their party is beyond me.
The xenophobic, homophobic, anti-education coalition of know-nothings is not a political party—just an old white men’s group that thinks hanging out at the country store is progressive.
Goode is done for.
Bell is doing a good job in his current role. No need to crash and buen by going up against another “favorite son”.
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