Remember those bumper stickers from 1996 that Mark Warner used in his senate race against John Warner — “Mark NOT John”? Well, residents of the 52nd Dist. may see some variation of that in the not too distant future.
It seems that efforts to recruit former PWC Chairman Sean Connaughton to run for the 52nd House of Delegates seat being vacated by RPV Chairman / Del. Jeff Frederick have fallen through. Sean had been until recently the U.S. Maritime Administrator in the Bush administration. Having only been out of office for about a week and a half or so, and not having been able to negotiate future employment while still serving as a presidential appointee, Sean is obviously busy tending to his career and family needs.
So, with Sean apparently out of the picture, three names quickly emerged on the GOP side — former Dumfries Town Council Member Rafael Lopez, Devon Gray and Amy Frederick, Jeff’s wife. The latest word is that Devon has decided not to jump in and has offered his support to Lopez. Meanwhile, all signs point to Amy forming an exploratory committee prior to committing to join the race (“Amy NOT Jeff” anyone?) And while a few people had inquired with me whether I had any interest in this race myself, I have explained to them that I didn’t and that the General Assembly’s schedule would not permit for me to continue with my current job which I love and am not willing to give up. Given that, I have offered my full support to Amy in this contest.
On the Dem side, Mike Hodge has already filed and Chris Brown is planning on running. However, rumblings are that the Dem leadership doesn’t really like either of them and are trying to throw them both under the bus in favor of Rev. Dr. Luke Torian, who is the pastor of First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries.
All this should make for an interesting contest on both sides and in the general election.
I hope that Amy decides after considering this race to enter it and do us proud in Richmond. She is intelligent, knows the issues and the needs of the constituents, is accomplished in her own right, and is very politically savvy. I believe that Amy would make an outstanding delegate.
