There had been rumblings within the party apparatus in Northern Virginia that a new candidate was going to step up shortly to throw his hat in the ring for Lieutenant Governor. While many have talked about getting in the race, only Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart has actually filed. Stewart now has an opponent from his own backyard, Prince William and Faquier County Delegate Scott Lingamfelter. Lingamfelter filed filed his paperwork with the State Board of Elections on Monday, seeking to succeed Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, who is running for Governor.
Del. Lingamfelter comes to the race with ten years of experience under his belt, being first elected to represent the 31st District in 2002. A decorated Army veteran, prior to his election he served nearly 30 years in the United States Army, retiring with the rank of Colonel and having been awarded the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit. In the legislature, Scott serves on the Education, Finance and Militia and Public Safety committees, and he’s the chairman of the Education Subcommittee on the Standards of Quality.
The addition of Lingamfelter to the race creates an interesting dynamic. So far, the only two announced candidates have been from Northern Virginia, and potentially will draw from similar bases. Although Corey Stewart probably has higher name ID thanks to his efforts on illegal immigration, he also has higher negatives. Lingamfelter has been more of a behind the scenes legislator, but someone who the rest of the Republican caucus highly respects, and his opinions and leadership have been very influential within the caucus. He should garner the support of most of the elected Republicans in the legislature who haven’t already committed to Stewart.
Given the timing of his announcement, one has to wonder whether this is the first candidacy announced as a result of State Central’s reversal of the primary decision last Friday. Prior to that announcement, we’d seen talk but very little movement from many potential LG candidates. Keith Fimian, who ran a tough race and barely lost to Gerry Connolly in the 11th Congressional district began making the rounds but then called off his campaign earlier this year. There has been some talk of another Northern Virginia candidate, and there’s also been discussion of Virginia Victory Chairman Pete Snyder joining the race as well. Snyder, who founded New Media Strategies and now runs an angel investment firm in Alexandria, is another Northern Virginian. The only real non-Northern Virginia candidate discussed, at least recently, was Virginia Beach State Senator Jeff McWaters, but those discussions have faded in recent months.
Given that both candidates in the race are from the same general area, this race is wide open for a third candidate from downstate.
It will be interesting to see if the change from primary to convention brings any more candidates into the race. While Corey Stewart and Scott Lingamfelter are both staunch conservatives, they’ve both got significant experience in politics, and there has yet to be a real Tea Party presence in this race. With Fimian out, it will be interesting to see if any Tea Party candidates choose to step up.
