Wouldn’t you know it, no sooner do we post a new poll gauging support for the various candidates and potential candidates for Virginia’s open U.S. Senate seat than we hear that Del. Chris Saxman is taking a serious look at this race. It would certainly appear that he has positioned himself well for bigger and better things. He has been viewed as an up-and-comer in Virginia, serves as Chairman of the Cost Cutting Caucus, and is active in the conservative grassroots movement. The only negative that I see is he signed on yesterday as Virginia Co-Chairman of McCain for President. Even that, though, could help him as he will be plugged into a statewide organization and its other Co-Chairman is the current occupant of the seat, John Warner.
Things appear to be getting very interesting very quickly in a race that almost everyone thought had already boiled down to being between Jim Gilmore and Marky Mark.
Filed under: 2008 Elections, Virginia Politics
Jut a bit too young for a senior position like senator and not nearly enough statewide recognition to win the nomination although I would support him making a run! I am still pushing Cantor.
First you Republicans beat up on Davis and got rid of him. Now you are getting Gilmore out of the way. Us Democrats can’t wait to see who else you guys pull up and tear down.
Hate to agree with a Dem, but I’d say we’re starting to get into circular firing squad territory here.
I’m a fan of Chris Saxman and look forward to (hopefully) voting for him to be the next Lt. Governor in 2009. But, if Tom Davis could see that he would get torn apart by Gilmore and Warner in a Senate race, what would make Saxman think he could do any better?
Chris, run for Lt. Gov. and then we’ll talk about a run for higher office.
why wouldn’t bill bolling run?
5:11 – For one thing, like Eric Cantor, Bill Bolling and Jim Gilmore are Marcus-Allen clients. Marcus-Allen clients never oppose each other for anything.
Agreed naehd,
Gilmore would almost certainly have to drop out before Cantor would enter just because the long time relationship with both to their consultant.
It would be phenomenal if Chris Saxman would run. He is one of the precious few public officials in Virginia who knows anything about free market economics. Moreover, he is also one of the few who can articulate the dangers of an ever-expanding, ever-growing goverment. If all the Republicans in the General Assembly had an ounce of Chris Saxman’s understanding of Constitutional parameters and limited government, Virginia would be a different place. But, alas, most Republicans don’t.
I hope this isn’t just a rumor. The draft cantor campaign isn’t going anywhere. Besides the Marcus-Allen factor, Cantor would be crazy to leave the House. If Hillary becomes president, Repubs will have good odds at taking back the house in either 2010 or 2012, and Cantor will be in the leadership when that occurs. None of the other names mentioned are very exciting or realistic. Saxman is ideal. Energetic, articulate, fiscally and socially conservative–and he’s a nice guy capable of running a campaign that won’t drag down republicans with excessive negativity and personal attacks. He will surely pose a more formidable challenge for Warner than Gilmore.
Saxman! Saxman! Saxman!
He is just what our party needs… a new face, an articulate voice, and someone who is proud to be a Republican without hesitation.
Count me as a support of Saxman for Senate
Saxman is my state delegate, and I can say I’ve been nothing but impressed with him. He listens very well to his constituents, and I know he’ll be a great fiscal and social conservative US Senator.
Nobody in my family was going to vote for Gilmore anyway, and I’m going to encourage all my friends and family not to vote for him either. When I think of Gilmore, I can’t help but think he’s ineffective and stupid. So does most everybody else I know.
[...] buzz on the VA political blogosphere recently has been news that Saxman may run for John Warner’s [...]