Updating BD's Big Line prediction for Sen-24

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Bearing Drift's "Big Line" predictions have not been updated since March 5, 2015, so I'm going to update Senate District 24. Interestingly, their editorial board got it wrong.


Emmett Hanger was successful in court (by the way, there is no such thing as the "incumbent protection act," a name made up by the 24th legislative committee). Dan Moxley was not on the winning side of the lawsuit that called for a faux convention. Marshall Pattie was able to stay out of the fray but is he too far removed from the action to have a real possibility at winning on June 9?

(Continue reading here....)

24th State Senate race candidate to announce

State Senator Emmett Hanger has not announced if he intends to seek reelection for the 24th Senate District seat that he has held since 1996 but one challenger has already announced and a second is set to make his announcement today. (continue reading here)

Augusta GOP chair Dan Moxley calls it quits

Perhaps signaling a seriousness in his challenge for the state senate seat currently held by Senator Emmett Hanger, Dan Moxley resigned Monday as chairman of the Augusta County Republican Committee.

Or his resignation could be from pressure.... (Continue reading here)

Medicaid expansion ... looking for solutions instead of just saying no

It's an interesting stand-off in Augusta County with the discussion (or lack of for some) about Medicaid expansion and what to do about those who fall through the cracks of coverage. If I listen to those to the political right of me, the solution is that we should do nothing, shut down, just say no.

Quite frankly, I'm tired of being painted as the party of no. While I don't agree with Obamacare and I don't subscribe to the political decisions of the current president, it is what it is. After listening to the rants and vitriol for eight years against Republican President George W. Bush, I'm now hearing the same from the right side of the aisle against President Barack Obama and all Democrats.

Enough already.

Augusta County probably personifies the divide in the Medicaid expansion issue more than many because our delegates -- Steve Landes, Ben Cline, Dickie Bell, all Republican -- are staunchly against expansion while our state Senator Emmett Hanger, also Republican, wants to find a compromise.

Today's editorial in the Staunton News Leader said it well:

Last week, when most of  the country’s surviving presidents gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, George W. Bush said something that almost sounds quaint:

“A segregated society can never be a successful society, because the only success worth having is achieved together.”

Achieved together. Does that happen anymore in this country?

Good question.

I talked briefly with Senator Hanger last week about this very complicated issue. We haven't always agreed about his votes in Richmond but his pragmatic approach to Medicaid expansion is appreciated in today's politically toxic atmosphere. Indeed, it's put a target on his back from local far-right constituents who will probably -- most likely -- primary him next go round.

That reality is not lost on the editorial crew at the News Leader:

We are so divided on the role of government that for some the aim is not to achieve together but to stop their political opposition, at whatever cost.

When we do not like a law, some of us waste years trying to repeal it. Our elected leaders tread water in constant campaign mode, which is all about satisfying the loudest and the richest, not working for the good of all.

Nowhere is this more visible than the Virginia General Assembly, which cannot — because so far it will not — come up with a compromised solution to Medicaid expansion controversy.

Our General Assembly is made up of hard-working men and women who strive to represent their constituents and work long hours to do what's best. Having an election every two years may be a stumbling block to good governing. But in the spirit of good governing, the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission was formed and headed up by Landes and Hanger. The News Leader, referring to the commission, wrote:

MIRC, which some note, rhymes with “jerk,” was to study Medicaid expansion. Among its 10 members are State Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, and Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave.

MIRC has met, but many of the 10 had no intent to agree to any Virginia benefit from the Affordable Care Act under any circumstances. Hanger has with others proposed a compromise called “Marketplace Virginia,” in which government money would fund private insurance for the poor. Landes, though, goes for satisfying the far right and says Marketplace Virginia simply is Medicaid expansion. He is wrong.

And we are stuck.

The middle understands that Obamacare is here to stay, like it or not, and want to make it work in Virginia.

The right points to the states where Medicaid expansion has not worked well while ignoring the states where it has. The right is also sick of compromising on legislation and losing winnable statewide elections.

And the left? Far-right talking points aside, the General Assembly has never been and certainly is not today a liberal bastion. The few who are there learned compromise long ago.

Virginia has a Democratic governor and a Democratically-controlled state senate. The News Leader opined, "Calling for a 'clean' budget, one that does not address Medicaid expansion, is simply disingenuous." I'm not sure if I agree with that; after all, we need the state budget passed so localities can go about the business of putting their own budgets in order. However, in politics the name of the game is using the leverage at hand. Both sides are doing exactly that.

In today's turbulent political waters, it takes a courage beyond what most understand to buck the base. Think back to Governor Bob McDonnell's battle with those in his own party last year over the transportation issue. He was the victim of some of the most vile, vitriolic bellowing I have seen -- from the right side of the aisle. So the News Leader noted:

At the Civil Rights Summit last week, where George W. Bush spoke of achieving together, Bill Clinton noted that political courage outlasts political capital. [emphasis added]

Very true.

The NL editorial concluded:

Democrats lost the south for a generation after the Civil Rights Act, but when they came back, they did something and agreed to a plan that had Republican roots, the Affordable Care Act.

Meanwhile, Virginia Republicans lose statewide races and refuse to compromise.

Working together, with give and take, usually works well in our country. Richmond needs to remember how to do just that.

Where will the Medicaid expansion hold-off go from here? I joined up with A Healthy Virginia Works, a group of chambers of commerce and hospitals as well as community leaders across the Commonwealth, in a quest to find answers and solutions. Senator Hanger and fellow senators have offered their Marketplace Virginia plan. Hopefully, that middle ground will be found, preferably sooner rather than later.

A look at some of the faces from 2014 General Assembly session

 Trixie Averill, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Kurt Michael, Lieutenant Governor John Hager

 Delegate Will Morefield and Marty Hall

 Richard Crouse and Delegate Les Adams

 State Senator Emmett Hanger and Dr. Kurt Michael

 Former Delegate Chris Saxman with Kurt

 Kurt and State Senator Mark Obenshain

 Dr. Judi Lynch and Governor Bob McDonnell

Delegate and Congressional candidate Barbara Comstock

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 2014

Former Speaker of the House Vance Wilkins makes a run for 6th Congressional District Chairman

Former Speaker of the House Vance Wilkins and his wife at
October 2010 Tea Party Convention in Richmond. (Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

In a battle that's shaping up for 6th Congressional District chairman, former Virginia House Speaker and delegate Vance Wilkins is challenging the incumbent chairman, Wendell Walker.

Vance Wilkins was Republican Speaker of the House -- an historic first in the Commonwealth -- for a little over two years before resigning in 2002 after allegations of misconduct. While serving as delegate from 1978-2002, he was instrumental in helping build the Republican Party into a majority that loosened the Commonwealth from its long-time Democratic grip.

Vance Wilkins' reemergence on the political landscape could be seen in 2007 when he was adviser to a candidate who unsuccessfully ran against Augusta County's State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24th). Since that time, Wilkins has been seen working Republican events, most recently at the Republican Advance in December, and has been a moving force recruiting current chairmen throughout the 6th. Known in the past as conservative, he has in recent years lined up with the tea party wing of RPV.

Wendell Walker, who has served as chair in Congressman Bob Goodlatte's district the past three years, may have cause to be concerned. It's obvious Wilkins is putting his trademark tenacity to work as he pulls out the call lists of leaders and former leaders in the Sixth and works the phone to gain support. His hard work is legendary from the 1980s and '90s when he recruited and campaigned for Republican delegates, bringing a majority to the House. There's been no word yet from anyone who has received a phone call from Walker but he surely must be working his lists, too, in this battle that will culminate at the 6th District Convention on April 26th.

Anyone interested in attending the 6th Congressional District Convention will be required to attend their local committee mass meeting to become a delegate. Information for all committees can be found at the Republican Party of Virginia website. The Augusta County Mass Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at 6:30 pm at the Augusta County Government Center in Verona.

[Update: Word was received after this post was published that confirmed Walker has been contacting convention delegates and making the rounds of meetings in the 6th District.]

6th Congressional District folks in Richmond ... 2014 General Assembly

 State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24th) from Augusta County and Dr. Kurt Michael, former Augusta County Republican Committee chairman, spent time Friday afternoon talking about uniting the party and winning elections.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." --Galatians 6:9

 For Delegate Chris Saxman (R-20th House) of Staunton now lives in the Richmond area.

Kurt and I ran into State Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26th) of Harrisonburg in Capitol Square.

Former 6th Congressional District Chairman Fred Anderson and his wife Ann attended Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's official portrait unveiling and afterward at the reception for guests, family, and friends. I always teased Fred about his many hats (literally) ... Ann always is a picture of fashion perfection.

"Do the Bolling" ... the Lieutenant Governor and Kurt. They go back many years together to SWAC Breakfasts and then the 2005 primary when Kurt and his wife hosted the Bollings for a fundraiser at their Fishersville home (the LG relayed a humorous story about that night at Thursday's dinner in Short Pump). After winning the primary, we organized a second fundraiser in October that was held at the horse farm of Vonda and Kevin Lacey in Augusta County -- a glorious fall day that also included then-AG candidate Bob McDonnell, many of the local electeds, and Ken Mehlman, then-chairman of the Republican National Committee who worked in the Bush administration with my sister. What a fantastic day ... and Bill and Bob went on to win lieutenant governor and attorney general on their way to leading the party to a sweep of the Top 3 a short four years later.

Trixie Averill ... the heart of the 6th Congressional District for 30 years. She worked with more candidates than we will ever remember but a few of them were George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Jerry Kilgore, George W. Bush, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling ... she was the go-to person for western Virginia. Here she reconnects with Randy Marcus who has been with the LG since the beginning, and whom I first met in late 1999 on the George W. Bush presidential campaign.

Bill and Trixie at the LG's official portrait unveiling in Richmond on January 10, 2014.

Trixie and Governor Bob McDonnell meet in the Capitol. They drove hundreds of campaign miles together and have been friends for years.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Richmond, Virginia
January 10, 2014

Staunton City Council discusses concerns with Hanger, Saxman

Staunton's City Council members met with state legislators Thursday night to discuss the upcoming General Assembly session, providing a wish list of their concerns.

As reported in the News Leader, Sen. Emmett Hanger and Del. Chris Saxman offered assurance they would do what they could for some issues but were not in agreement with Council on others:

With significant education cuts looming during the upcoming General Assembly session, local legislators committed to help soften the burden for Staunton during a special meeting with City Council.

“The one thing I picked up from my colleagues in both the House and the Senate is whatever happens in the area of education, we want to provide enough flexibility as possible to local governments and school boards so they can make their own decisions,” said Del. Chris Saxman, R-Staunton.

Cell phones banned while driving? Primary seat belt law? Beer tax? New arts center? Some were supported by Council; some were supported by the legislators. The meeting offered an opportunity for Staunton's governing body to pass along their concerns. More coverage can be found at WHSV TV-3.

Augusta GOP Chair Kurt Michael resigns at 6th District meeting

Dr. Kurt Michael

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help." --Psalm 121

Augusta County Chairman Dr. Kurt Michael handed in his resignation to 6th Congressional District Chairman Fred Anderson Saturday during the quarterly meeting held in Lexington. Addressing the meeting, Kurt spoke of his love for the Party during his 17 years as a volunteer, working to elect conservative candidates and recruit volunteers.

At the conclusion of his remarks, he received a standing ovation from the entire 6th District Congressional Committee including Congressman Bob Goodlatte.

After his announcement, I addressed the meeting to speak of Kurt's good work during his five years as Augusta County GOP Chairman:

I could not let Kurt leave without saying a few words about him. I have served as his Vice Chairman of Communications the past five years.

Kurt Michael took a Committee that was bare bones, on auto-pilot, was practically dormant ... and he immediately began building infrastructure, recruiting volunteers, and filling positions. He fulfilled the LG/AG/RPV/GOP Challenge doubling the committee size five years ago! He recruited conservative candidates.

He stood up for issues of interest to the community, people who would approach him and ask, "Can the Republicans help with this?" That was because they knew we were organized and could put those skills to work. And he was principled and believed in the issues they brought to him.

When Weekday Religious Education was threatened in Staunton in 2005, Kurt was approached and asked if he could help. It was saved.

During 2006 he organized 40 SWAC area churches to help pass the Marriage Amendment.

Last Fall when an adult business opened in Staunton, people in the community again called on Kurt to help. With his help ordinances were passed in Staunton in November 2007, and then he followed through to help get the same ordinances passed in Augusta County in March 2008.

He has spent the past year in the spotlight of the newspapers constantly under attack simply because he supported the challenger instead of the incumbent in last year's 24th Senatorial District primary. There were six other chairs in the 24th District who stood with him to support Scott Sayre in that race but, for some reason, Kurt became the targeted one to take the most heat.

I disagree with Kurt's decision to step down ... and we have been at loggerheads over that decision. But I support him in what he feels is best for the Party.

As the Augusta Free Press wrote this week, Kurt's stepping down is "bad news for the GOP but good news for the Dems." And that came from the Democrat chairman of Waynesboro.

The good news is he is not going away. Thank you, Kurt, for all your work as Chairman.

I do not know what the Big Plan is in what has occurred ... but I know there is a Plan. Still, that does not lessen the feeling of sadness I have in this entire episode.

As I was driving back from Lexington after Saturday's 3 1/2 hour meeting, I was lost in thought over it all ... and so I kept driving until I was at the top of Afton Mountain. I am at peace in the mountains but the feeling of sadness lingered. It will take some time.

As I addressed the 6th District Committee Saturday, both on Kurt's behalf when he resigned and during another issue that was before the Committee, I could not help but remember a day when I was so terrified of public speaking that I would not say a word in front of an assembled group.

I owe the fact I overcame that fear to two people -- Nate Salatin, one of my home school teens who taught me public speaking -- and Kurt Michael.

Kurt is a governor school teacher ... and his students love him. They call him "Dr. Mike." Teaching is second nature to him ... and so he has been my teacher and mentor the past six years.

And he has been my friend. In politics, that is a rare commodity because human nature pulls most people to the power, or the money, or something that will make them betray even those who helped them win public office or pulled them into the inner circle of leadership. Climbing that ladder of ambition makes some forget who their friends were at the beginning. Some fail to even recognize his hand in laying the foundation for what they now have.

Five years is an eternity in political years ... but Kurt and I still work well together ... the two political junkies who cannot get enough of talking politics.

Kurt has been there ... guiding, advising, leading. He is happiest in the background out of the spotlight. He pushes others forward allowing them to receive the accolades. He is demanding but fair, and sometimes brutally honest with candidates and fellow volunteers. He is a leader.

And so it's over. For now. His detractors will gloat; the Democrats will celebrate. But Kurt's not going anywhere.

To Kurt I say ... thank you, Friend.

My two favorite guys ... SWAC Husband and Kurt.

Photos by SWAC Girl

Emmett hangs up higher office bid ... for now

When Lt. Governor Bill Bolling decided to run for re-election instead of challenging Bob McDonnell for the GOP nomination for governor, a magnanimous sacrifice to unify Republicans, it dashed the long-running dreams of State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-Mt. Solon) to seek the LG position. Bob Stuart at the Waynesboro News Virginian has the details.

Hanger supports gas tax ... Obenshain opposed

Today's Harrisonburg Daily News Record has more on Friday's vote to increase the gas tax for one cent per gallon for each of five years:

Two Shenandoah Valley senators were on opposing sides Friday when the Senate voted to raise Virginia's gasoline tax by a penny per gallon in each of the next five years.

While Sen. Hanger voted for the gas tax increase, Sen. Obenshain voted against it at a time when he proposed the Commonwealth cut spending:

Obenshain said he opposed the tax increase because the state is claiming poverty because of declining revenue projections to support the proposed biennial budget while seeking new spending.

Instead of raising taxes, he said, the state should be looking at ways to cut proposed new spending, including Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's reconstituted and expanded pre-kindergarten program.

Sen. Obenshain expressed doubt about the increased revenue from the gas tax actually being used for transportation needs.

Senator Obenshain said, "Virginia families are already doing enough."

The DNR continued:

The proposal to increase the state gasoline tax, Obenshain noted, comes after the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission proposed Congress triple the federal gasoline tax from 18.4 cents per gallon to nearly 60 cents per gallon over five years.

"This is a typical big government solution to real problems - raise taxes and give failing bureaucrats more money to waste," he said in a prepared statement.

Obenshain called on Kaine to reject Saslaw's proposal. Kaine has said that his budget plans do not include raising taxes.

"He should not stand idly by as his allies in the Senate demand that Virginia families cut back their already tight budgets to pay for an ever-expanding state bureaucracy," Obenshain said in a prepared statement. [emphasis added]

Thank you, Senator Obenshain.

Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com

Hanger votes for gas tax increase

You may be paying more state taxes at the gas pump in the future. According to the Roanoke Times:

The Virginia Senate voted 25-15 just before noon today to approve legislation that would increase the state gas tax by 5 cents over the next five years.
...
The bill would raise the tax by a penny each year. Saslaw said it's expected to bring $52 million in new revenue its first year.

Many Republicans opposed the bill as an unnecessary gas tax, but several members of the party voted for it. Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Augusta County, suggested that the volatility of retail gas prices will render it unnoticeable.

Three Republicans voted for it: Senators Emmett Hanger (R-24), Fred Quayle (R-13), and John Watkins (R-10).

Freshman Senator Jill Vogel had this in her newsletter today:

The Senate also debated the bill introduced by Senator Dick Saslaw that would raise the gas tax one cent a year for five consecutive years. The tax increase amounts to more than a billion dollars over five years and the bill passed by a vote of 25 to 15. I voted against it and remain committed not to grow government this session, given the current state of the Governor's economic plan and the current environment for tax payers in Virginia.

Thank you, Senator Vogel.

Hanger took $5,000 payday loan contribution

With payday loans in the news, this revelation came from WHSV TV-3:

... while politicians say it's time to change the industry, many have accepted money from the same lenders they're trying to regulate.
...

Senator Emmett Hanger pocketed $5,000 from payday lenders but couldn't be reached for comment.

Other electeds received smaller contributions from payday lenders but have said it did not influence their votes.

A bill passed the house Monday to reform the payday loan industry. It limits the number and length of loans and caps the interest rate at 36 percent.

According to a political science professor, while receiving donations may not buy votes, it still may influence politicians.

"Money, while it usually doesn't buy votes in the classical political corruption idea, it does buy access," says Associate Professor of Politics at Bridgewater College, Dr. Jim Josefson.

The Senate is now working on its version of the payday lending bill.

Dems losing control of Party?

I received an unsolicited email from my Democrat Supervisor Tracy Pyles who publicly endorsed Emmett Hanger a few weeks ago along with the rest of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors.

Tracy and I have gotten along well over the years. Now we're on opposite sides of the fence. It makes me wonder who he will support in the General Election because the Democrats have backed a candidate.

Will Mr. Pyles support Republican Emmett Hanger, the person he endorsed in April? Or will he endorse the Democrat who will represent his Party?

I looked up the Democrat Party Plan:

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF VIRGINIA STATE PARTY PLAN
Section 10.8 Party Support

No Democratic committee member or officer of any Democratic committee shall publicly support, endorse, or assist any candidate opposed to a Democratic nominee. In the event any Democratic committee member shall undertake such public activity, the appropriate Democratic committee shall remove said person from office. Such action shall not be taken without at least ten (10) days written notice to the accused member and an opportunity for him or her to refute such charges. In the event that no action is taken against such person, the
district committee shall initiate the necessary action. The Steering Committee may take further action within the thirty (30) days after the receipt of a written complaint by any member of the Democratic Party in relation to such matters.

Section 10.9 Candidate Support

The obligations and duties imposed on any county, city or district committee or the Central Committee and their members in this Plan shall not be deemed to require support of any candidate who is publicly supporting a nominee on the ticket of any other political party in any general election where Democratic candidates for office appear on the ballot, or who publicly supports any other candidate opposed to a Democratic nominee.

Interesting situation for Mr. Pyles....

Hanger says we're "extremists" ...?

Emmett Hanger has been heard more than once calling those who oppose his tax-hiking policies "anti-tax, anti-government extremists."

Extremists?

Those "extremists" are members of the community who work hard for their money and don't like to have taxes raised.

Those "extremists" are ...

... military members, pastors, stay-at-home moms, truck drivers ...

... insurance agents, school teachers, company owners, retail employees, farmers, college students ...

... home builders, house painters, realtors, community volunteers, hospital employees, restaurant workers, factory workers...

Extremists, Mr. Hanger?

These are your neighbors ... these are your constituents.

Mr. Hanger has lost touch with the grassroots....

Sen. Hanger -- raising taxes on citizens to pay for illegals

I have one question for Senator Hanger--just who are you representing? Obviously not the voters in the 24th.

Here's a prime example: SB 1204. On the surface it looks innocuous enough, saying that in-state tuition is prohibited for illegal immigrants. But when reading further you notice these caveats:

"any person shall be eligible for in-state tuition who: (i) has resided in Virginia while attending high school; (ii) has graduated from a public or private high school in Virginia or has received a General Education Development (GED) certificate in Virginia; (iii) has resided in the Commonwealth for at least three years on the date of high school graduation; (iv) has registered in an institution of higher education; (v) has provided an affidavit stating that he has filed an application to become a permanent resident of the United States and is actively pursuing such permanent residency or will do so as soon as he is eligible; and (vi) has submitted evidence that he or, in the case of a dependent student, at least one parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis, filed, unless exempted by state law, Virginia income tax returns for at least three years prior to the date of enrollment."

I notice that he puts in the bit about requiring them to pay state taxes for three years. But that won't even come close to covering the costs of a four year education. Illegal immigrants should not be rewarded financially for their illegal status. Illegal immigrants are openly breaking the law. They have no regard for the rules that govern our country. So why does Hanger want to reward them?

Thankfully, the House had enough sense to delete most of this nonsense. The bill as it stands now reads:

"An alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, and therefore ineligible to establish domicile pursuant to § 23-7.4, shall not be eligible on the basis of residency within Virginia for any post-secondary educational benefit, including in-state tuition, unless citizensor nationals of the United States are eligible for such benefits in no less an amount, duration, and scope, without regard to whether such citizens or nationals are Virginia residents."

Hey Senator, I thought we had a transportation crisis--isn't that why you consistently vote to raise our taxes? Tell you what--let's save some money by NOT rewarding illegal behavior and put it towards this so-called crisis.

[Reprinted from In-Politically Correct, February 16, 2007]

HQs Buzzing on a Saturday....

Busy at Sayre headquarters....

Jarrett Ray, President of the College Republicans, is working the phones, and other CRs are walking the neighborhoods.

Other volunteers are going out into neighborhoods, making phone calls, putting signs together, and doing everything necessary to get this win. The grassroots are rolling.

Heading out to walk.... More later.

Breaking News ... Sayre receives endorsement from 7th GOP Chairman

Scott Sayre receives overwhelming endorsement from Greene County Republican Committee

This morning a debate was held at the monthly Greene County Republican Breakfast between Scott Sayre and Emmett Hanger. Word from those who attended was that Sayre did an outstanding job of presenting his issues and offering a fresh new choice of leadership for the 24th District.

After the debate the Committee overwhelmingly voted to endorse and support SCOTT SAYRE in this race. In addition, Chairman Gary Lowe also publicly endorsed Scott.

This is unprecedented. Never before has any candidate in the 24th Senate District received the endorsement of 7 of the 8 Republican unit chairs as well as most of the grassroots leadership from those committees before a Primary.

Rockbridge County's chairman has indicated she will remain neutral.

When reached by phone Scott Sayre was very grateful to the grassroots in Greene County and throughout the District for the support.

Elle in 24th: "Are Breeden's, Pyles' Hands Tied?"

Are Breeden's, Pyles Hands Tied?
By Elle at In-Politically Correct (5/18/07)

The 24th District Senate race is heating up. In Rockingham County, Mr. William Hrovat of Churchville, announced last night his intention to seek the Democratic nomination. According to the Daily News Record, Hrovat is a retired power plant operator for Dominion Power. The addition of Mr. Hrovat, adds more spark into an already tense race.

As has been widely reported, the Republican primary took an interesting turn in April, when Emmett Hanger sought the endorsements of local elected officials. We are all aware of the comments made by Hanger at that event which prompted the endorsements of grassroots party leaders for Scott Sayre.

However, just when the dust began to settle, a Democrat enters the race. The obvious question people are asking is, which Republican do the Democrats have a better shot of winning against?

I think that Jeff Mellott with the Daily News Record raises an even more interesting question--who will Rockingham Democratic Board of Supervisor Mike Breeden ultimately endorse? Back in April, Breeden had stood side by side with his fellow supervisors in their endorsement of Senator Emmett Hanger.

Breeden is not the only Democratic elected official caught in this bind. As SWAC Girl discusses on her blog, Augusta County Board of Supervisor Tracy Pyles has endorsed Hanger as well. Will Breeden and Pyles break with their party and continue to stand by Hanger, or will they rescind their endorsement and walk lock step with their party faithful?