Blue Tide Risin' II

CCC has been reporting on the number of Democrats eager to take on incumbent Republicans in the Shenandoah Valley. A challenger in the 15th District has been rumored for a month or so and a story in today's DNR confirms that retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. John Lesinsky, a Democrat from Little Washington, will challenge Todd Gilbert. Gilbert is a reliable vote in the House of Delegate's right wing band of brothers. The 15th includes a small corner of Rockingham County and all of Page, Shenandoah and Rappahannock counties.

Across the mountain in traditionally friendlier Democratic turf, NBC29 reports that Republican Rob Bell will be challenged by Cynthia Neff, a 57 year old former IBM executive, for the 58th District House of Delegates seat. Neff is active in several charitable causes and promises an aggressive campaign pointing out where the incumbent has let the people down. The 58th District includes Fluvanna County and parts of Albemarle, Greene, and Orange counties.