Rick Boucher vs Morgan Griffith? - Griffith vs a Field of Four?
The Bristol Herald has it's first mention of the race.
ABINGDON, Va. – With the endorsement of leading 9th District Republicans, Morgan Griffith is shaping up to be this year’s GOP congressional nominee.
Griffith, the majority leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, has the backing of fellow Republican Delegates Bill Carrico of Independence, Terry Kilgore of Gate City, Anne B. Crockett-Stark of Wytheville, Charles Poindexter of Glade Hill, Will Morefield of Tazewell and Dave Nutter of Christiansburg, his campaign announced Wednesday.
According to the announcement, Griffith also has the support of Republican state Sens. William Wampler of Bristol and Ralph Smith of Roanoke.
“A final decision has not been made,” Press Secretary Jeff Ryer said of Griffith’s candidacy, “but certainly preparations for one being made, are well on their way.” Link to the BHC
The BHC reporter is fast to point out "Griffith has a challenge ahead of him in trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, a Democrat who has been in office since 1983 and has long been considered unbeatable." Garren Shipley says Boucher is vulnerable.
“I think that Congressman Boucher is vulnerable primarily because he voted against the interest of his district,” Shipley said. “Any time a congressman votes to kill the jobs of his constituents, raise their taxes and drive their utility bills through the roof, there’s going to be vulnerability.”
Indeed, but the other candidates are taking shots at Griffith.
Jeremiah Heaton, an independent candidate from Washington County, made light Wednesday of Griffith’s residence, which technically lies outside the 9th District.
Leopold, the Democratic Party spokesman, did too. “I feel like it’s important to have a congressman that’s actually from the district,”
Okay, we have a Independent in the running along with two other Republicans for sure and two maybes.
At least two other Republican candidates, Jessee Ring of Pulaski County and Adam Light of Tazewell County, said they’re still seeking the nomination.
“I think we need a new face and fresh blood,” Ring said. “I think it would be good to have some fresh perspective.”
Two others who have announced a bid for the nomination – Dave Moore of Tazewell County and Jim Bebout of Marion – were not reachable for comment Wednesday.
Sounds like fun to me. I predict it could get ugly on the GOP side.
posted by Carl Kilo at 6:24:00 AM
Comments on "Rick Boucher vs Morgan Griffith? - Griffith vs a Field of Four?"
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Anonymous said ... (8:43 AM) :
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Anonymous said ... (1:59 PM) :
post a commentYou know, the Dems didn't have a problem recently when Dave Marsden was running for a State Senate District in which he didn't live. They're just trying to deflect Griffith early, cause they are scared. I'd rather have someone I trust as a next door neighbor than someone I didn't trust living in the same house.
In response to Leopold, the Democratic Party spokesman, who said “I feel like it’s important to have a congressman that’s actually from the district.” my reaction is that I feel like it's more important to have a congressman that actually gives a damn about his district. At this point, after Boucher stabbed the coalfields in the back with his support of the cap and trade bill, I wouldn't care if someone from Idaho represented this district....as long as he truly represented the district which Boucher clearly has not.
***Dickensonian***