Deeds gets a GOP challenger in Aldous

Charlottesville attorney Thomas W. “T.J.” Aldous announced Tuesday that he is running for state Senate in the 25th District, meaning incumbent Sen. R. Creigh Deeds will face Republican opposition this year for the seat he has held since 2001.

Aldous — an Albemarle County resident who runs a Charlottesville practice specializing in estate planning and business law — is running for office for the first time.

The 41-year-old was joined by his wife and three children for the announcement at the county courthouse. He framed the race as “a committed conservative versus a believer in big-government policies,” and outlined a platform focused on proper management of public resources, private-sector job growth, strong families, personal freedom and education.

“I can no longer sit back and watch as irresponsible career politicians recklessly squander our children’s future,” Aldous said. “I’m very concerned that the politics of today look only at the present. I don’t want our children to call us the selfish generation because we squandered their inheritance for our own needs and gain.”

Deeds, D-Bath County, ran unopposed in 2003 and 2007 before launching an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2009. In 2001, he earned 68.7 percent of the vote in a special election to replace the late Sen. Emily Couric, who died of pancreatic cancer that year.

Aldous said a “jobs-friendly economy” can be created through better fiscal management, reducing unnecessary regulations, emphasizing education and investing in infrastructure.

“I believe that with God’s help, we can turn this failing economy around and return to prosperity,” Aldous said.

Struggling families shouldn’t be taxed to support “unnecessary and frivolous” government spending, Aldous said.

“It’s time for a change. The differences in this race could not be clearer: Creigh Deeds supports more taxes, and I think increasing taxes will only harm our personal abilities to make ends meet …,” Aldous said.

Aldous also criticized Deeds for being “out of touch” with constituents’ beliefs.

“I want — as our Founding Fathers did — citizen legislatures,” Aldous said. “Not consummate political insiders always looking for higher office.”

Aldous is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He also earned a master’s degree in tax law from New York University.

Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, introduced Aldous as a “fine family man,” adding that Republicans have a chance to win the seat in this election cycle.

“We need a Senate that will be a partner with us in support of legislation that is good for families, good for taxpayers. And T.J. will be one of those senators,” Bell said. “It’s obvious that a new wave is coming across Virginia. The last two elections have been very successful for the Republicans.”

State Republicans are trying to win three additional seats that would give them the majority in the 40-member Senate.

Deeds, who is seeking re-election, chose not to respond to Aldous’s characterizations, instead offering a simple salutation.

“I welcome him to the fray,” Deeds said.

Aldous held an earlier announcement Tuesday in Buena Vista before coming to Charlottesville. The 25th Senate District includes all of Charlottesville, Nelson County and much of Albemarle County.