The 36th Senate District Republican committee, which consists of representatives from Prince William, Fairfax, and Stafford, will be meeting this week to determine whether to have a primary or a convention in the district. Because Prince William automatically gets 52% of the weighted vote, Fairfax and Stafford might as well not even show up because it’s a fait accompli.
It’s also highly likely that the Prince William legislative rep, Paul Ruecker, who has donated more than $1,500 to Jeff Frederick, will likely support the wishes of Frederick in this decision.
If that is the case, it’s highly likely that Frederick will choose a convention over primary, given Frederick’s past success with conventions.
Neither Frederick nor his likely opponent, Tito Munoz, have yet declared, but both are highly likely to jump in.
Anthony Bedell, the GOP chairman from Fairfax, favors a primary.
“Although I am not endorsing any candidates in any of our contested nominations… I am pushing for primaries as our nomination method throughout Fairfax County,” said Bedell. “This year with the late nominating process, new districts, and changed precincts, it is important for each candidate to have a district-wide grassroots operation in place ready to go on August 24th. This is important because with so many challenger candidates facing well-funded incumbents that they need to be a well-oiled machine immediately after they win the nomination. A primary also helps raise name ID within these new districts, which is important.”
Additional arguments for the primary have been made because it’s less costly, more democratic, and ensures military personnel overseas can vote absentee.
“In other cycles I would be open to other nomination types, but this year is so unusual we need to think outside the box to make sure our nominees are ready to win on November 8th,” Bedell concluded.
The question is, what will Ruecker decide?
