Flying with big birds

A couple weeks ago CCC posted speculation about Jody Wagner as a potential candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia. Yesterday she made it official and has launched a campaign website.

Although she joins the race for the Democratic nomination months after Jon Bowerbank, a Russell County supervisor, she has been flying with the big birds of Virginia Democratic politics. Wagner was state treasurer in Mark Warner's administration and secretary of finance in Tim Kaine's. Her background, credentials, and statewide connections are eggsactly the pedigree that CCC believes makes her the favorite in this race.

Republican Bill Bolling, who will seek reelection as lieutenant governor, was quick to begin the name-calling. His campaign spokesman cackled that Wagner is another "liberal Democrat."

Flying High

Virginia's Secretary of Finance, Jody Wagner, has resigned effective at the end of next week. Saying she enjoyed the job, Wagner says she will look into "other options," thought to be a run for Lt. Governor.

Jon Bowerbank, a member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, has already announced he is seeking the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor. Bowerbank has run an aggressive early campaign, calling local party activists, politickin' at the State Convention, and mailing literature to local leaders. While he's gotten his name "out there" to some extent it has been lost in all the excitement surrounding Obama, Warner, and the spirited congressional races around the state.

Ms. Wagner, 52, is an attorney from Norfolk and is one smart lady. I knew her personally through a series of political events about 15 years ago and it was clear, even then, she was on the way up in Virginia politics. I've followed her rise in government since that time. So, even though Mr. Bowerbank has a head start, if Jody enters the race, we can expect a spirited battle. 

Cluck.