Senator Ralph Northam has long been rumored to be switching parties.
He once was at that precipice when a loose tweet by a former Republican Party of Virginia chairman doomed the actual move.
But he’s decided to run again as a Democrat; so, Republicans see the newly drawn 6th District as an opportunity for a pick-up in 2011.
So, who are the possible challengers?
Wayne Coleman is the CEO for CV International, a leading global supply and logistics company headquartered in Norfolk.
Coleman is a favorite of the Norfolk GOP, not the least for his support for former Norfolk councilman Randy Wright Of the $1500 Coleman has donated, VPAP reports $1000 went to Wright and $500 to the Virginia Republican Senate Caucus.
But it’s not just Republicans Mr. Coleman seems to support. Ironically enough, he just hosted a high-dollar fundraiser for Senator Northam at his house:
Awkward.
Ben Loyola is a former Navy Captain who ran for the GOP nomination for congress last year against Scott Rigell. Loyola, who received the endorsement of the Hampton Roads Tea Party, managed to come in second in a very crowded field. He’s the owner of Loyola Enterprises and has donated more than $10,000 to Republican candidates and causes. He’s from Virginia Beach, so he may be construed by Norfolk’s Ocean View community as an outsider.
John Amiral is the only declared candidate. He is known for challenging Del. Paula Miller in the former 87th District in 2009. Advisers for both Coleman and Loyola have said that Amiral has contacted them and indicated that he’d drop out of the race should they enter it.
So far, their are more questions then answers. Needless to say, the 6th is one to watch, if only for its potential dysfunction.
