Two weeks ago, we reported [1]that former state Sen. Brandon Bell of Roanoke County was “seriously considering” making another run for the Commonwealth’s upper chamber. Yesterday, VPAP reported that Bell has apparently cleared all of the hurdles that stood between him and a third campaign for the Virginia Senate.
Whereas in the past, Bell has been the Republican nominee, this time he will run as an independent and will challenge the heretofore unopposed Sen. Ralph Smith in the 19th Senate District. This race will be something of a rematch of of 2007’s 22nd District Republican primary in which Smith, the former mayor of Roanoke, defeated the incumbent Sen. Bell by just 75 votes. It remains to be seen whether Democrats will (or even can) field a candidate in this race.