Savaged by lack of corn

Richard Savage has dropped out the race for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor. He cited his inability to raise money, blaming it on the economic downturn. Since the economy is the same for every candidate, the true blame probably rests closer to his coop. Savage's exit leaves the following candidates in a crowded race:

• Jon Bowerbank
• Pat Edmonson
• Michael Signer
• Jody Wagner

The best known are Bowerbank, a Russell Co. businessman and supervisor, and Wagner, a former Secretary of Finance who also ran for Congress. Both have been in the race for months, have visited all regions of the state, and enjoyed modest fundraising success. Wagner, because of her long time political activism and connections in the party, is the frontrunner. Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board, entered the race last and has been aggressively sending emails to Democratic activists. Signer is a former gubernatorial aide who, from what I can tell, has made little effort in the Shenandoah Valley.