With more than a year-and-a-half to go before voters head to the polls for the 2012 elections, eight Virginia politicians - an unusually high number for this stage of the campaign season - are already vying to fill the seat of Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va.
That number may continue to rise, however, as four additional individuals also are exploring the possibility of entering the race, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Because Senate seats are rarely open, this particular opportunity invites competition from politicians across the state, many of whom use the campaign as a platform for increased exposure to the American public, Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics, said in an email.
"Open Senate seats are real prizes," Sabato said. "For lesser known candidates, even if you lose, you get a lot of media coverage and can build name identification for another candidacy in the future."
Of the eight candidates, Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican George Allen are among the most prominent, as both have served terms as governor. Others, such as Independent Robert Lee, are relatively more obscure names in politics.
"Of the 33 U.S. Senate races in the nation in 2012, Virginia probably has the two best known national figures running," Sabato said, referring to Allen and Kaine. "Everyone in politics knows both of them."
Dave Johnson, campaign manager for Republican candidate Jamie Radtke, former president of the Richmond Tea Party and former chairwoman of the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation, said the increasing number of candidates "speaks to voters' desire for change and ultimately ... to the weaknesses of the perceived frontrunner." Johnson noted that "if Republicans truly believed George Allen were the right choice, there wouldn't be so many candidates in this race."
Johnson did not indicate any foreseeable adjustments to Radtke's campaign technique, despite the large number of candidates. "We believe [Jamie's] message will resonate with the voters," Johnson said.
Democratic candidate Julien Modica, who was convicted of bank fraud in 1994, said although the race is "getting pretty crowded," the number of people entering the race would not affect his strategy either.
"The Senate race is going to mean a lot for President Obama and his re-election," Modica said. "You want to get someone, at least a Democratic candidate who has the greatest chance of winning to help President Obama, and I think I'm that person."
Modica also noted how Virginians might be feeling about the current political situation.
"I think part of the idea is that Virginians and Americans in general are kind of tired of politics; I think Virginians are looking for a new face and a new perspective and a new direction, and I think I can provide that," Modica said.
Sabato predicted that the race would be "close and competitive" and "may go the way of the presidential contest." The outcome is difficult to predict because "we don't know how many candidates will qualify for either party's primary," Sabato said.
Read More
Board of Visitors Finance Committee hears presentation on budget process
By Cecilia Mould | 3 days agoThe Committee will review and vote on the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year when the full Board reconvenes for its June meeting.
Police forcefully clear encampment near University Chapel, detain protesters
By Thomas Baxter and Finn Trainer | 5 days agoThe University declared the encampment an unlawful assembly at 2:44 p.m.
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | 6 days agoMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
