Much was made of the anti-tax organizers’ plan to challenge Republicans in the Virginia Assembly who voted to increase taxes last year to invest in education and other pressing matters. Each was to get a challenger, but as reported today, only six have emerged.
Robin DeJarnette, executive director of VCAP, said the PAC does not expect to endorse any more candidates before the GOP primary
“We wanted to be realistic,” she said. “It would have been difficult to find 19 people.”
Gee, there was such an outcry that statewide, they could find six people willing to challenge them. Even they have their work cut out for them.
Jim Dillard is retiring, so he’s not being challenged; his endorsed successor is — who is running as a Democrat. The challenger, a one Michael Golden, lost to Dillard in the ’03 general election by more than 2 to 1. And the precincts in Dillard’s district gave John Kerry a majority in the ’04 election. There has been a steady conversion of the inner areas of Fairfax County to the Democrats. There’s no reason to think, Dillard’s former aide, David Marsden, will lose this race.
Gary Reese, representing northwest Fairfax and eastern Loudoun County, is known for his school advocacy on the Fairfax County school board. He represents an area that is savvy and passionate about good schools. I can’t imagine that Chris Craddock, a 25-year old school teacher who lost a school board race in ’03, can outpoll Reese, who is more of a “good government” tight-fisted conservative than a social regressive. Reese has an avuncular manner that soothes voters.
Chris Oprison wants to lower taxes, promote home schooling, ban abortion and find “real transportation solutions. He’s challenging Joe May, a quiet man who also is pursuing a long shot bid for lt. governor. Seems Oprison liked May until he voted for more taxes. But Oprison is a litigator. Now how could a good Republican vote for a trial lawyer?
Steve Chapman, 27, is the first primary challenger Harry Parrish has had in 24 years. Chapman was part of an anti-tax march on Parrish’s Manassas place of business. The march fizzled when it encountered an even larger group supporting Parrish. It will probably be a “time for a change” campaign that young challengers use against older office holders.
In two other races, Shaun Kenney, chairman of the Spotsylvania Republican Committee is challenging Bobby Orrock, and Mark Jarvis will challenge Edward Scott.
This feeble effort is likely to do harm to the anti-tax effort. For all its bluster, it seems Grover Norquist can’t blow this house down. If they lose all six races, maybe The Washington Post will stop calling James Parmelee every time somebody whispers the word “tax.” Others are suggesting that Grover Norquist is already on the decline.