Forbes endorsed by 30 Second District elected officials

Fourth District Republican Congressman Randy Forbes, running for reelection in the Second District due to redistricting, today released a list of 30 elected officials in the district who have endorsed him.  The list reflects a diverse cross-section of the party and contains some surprises.

Most notably, the list includes most of primary opponent Delegate Scott Taylor’s colleagues in the Virginia Beach legislative delegation:  Senator John Cosgrove, Delegate Glenn Davis, Delegate Barry Knight, Delegate Jason Miyares, and Delegate Ron Villanueva. Notably absent from the list, in my perspective, are Senators Frank Wagner and Delegate Chris Stolle.  Wagner historically has been a close political ally of Taylor, being actively involved in slating a Virginia Beach mass meeting in 2015, and rumors abound that Stolle is considering entering the race himself at the conclusion of the current legislative session, despite stating his intentions to not run earlier this year. Also not on the list is new state Sen. Bill DeSteph, who has endorsed Taylor.

It was also a bit of a surprise to see Virginia Beach City Councilman John Moss and former Councilman Robert Dean, both tea party favorites, on the list.  Their inclusion could be an indication that Virginia Beach attorney Pat Cardwell, who is seeking the Republican nomination as a tea party candidate, might have difficulty convincing tea party activists and sympathizers that there is a rationale for his campaign.

Here is the complete list released today by the Forbes campaign: