Del. Jeff Frederick, chairman of the RPV and a member of the House finance committee, was not shy today about his views on Jody Wagner’s resignation so that she can run for lieutenant governor:

“She was complicit with Governor Warner’s cooking the state’s financial books to justify the largest tax increase in Virginia history; part of the financial team that misplaced $137 million in taxpayer dollars for education; and has consistently provided inaccurate and politically motivated revenue estimates that have put Virginia in the budget crisis we currently face”, he said.

“On the occasion of Jody Wagner’s resignation as Secretary of Finance, I declare August 8, 2008 ‘Wagner Freedom Day’ in the Commonwealth. Virginia citizens are finally free from her incompetence, free from her political-motivated fiscal management and free from her disregard of taxpayer dollars,” said Frederick.

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Jody Wagner, one-time Democrat congressional candidate, is resigning as Virginia’s Secretary of Finance next Friday, Aug. 8.

Wagner, who has never held elected office, is expected to announce she is running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, where she will face a primary challenge from John Bowerbank, who has also has never held elected office.

When asked whether she will run, she responded, “I’m considering my options,” which is effectively like flipping off a reporter and saying, “I’m not telling you yet.”

According to a release by Gov. Tim Kaine, Richard “Ric” Brown has been appointed as the new Secretary of Finance. Hopefully he will do a better job of predicting state revenues.

Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, since 2004, Democrats have been all over the map when it comes to discussing the state’s financial picture. And two of the key players — former presidential candidate and now Democratic Senate candidate Mark Warner and current governor and potential Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Kaine — are among the worst offenders.

Anita Kumar of the WaPo’s “Virginia Politics” blogs yesterday that Virginia’s Secretary of Finance, and Virginia Beach resident, Jody Wagner, will resign later this month to begin her campaign for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor.

Wagner, who was the Democrats last real chance in the 2nd congressional district when she opposed former Rep. Ed Schrock (R) for the then open seat to replace former Rep. Owen Pickett (D), will challenge John Bowerbank, who got a clear head-start at the state Democratic convention.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bollling, a Republican, is seeking re-election and has already amassed over $660K for his campaign.