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More candidates line up to make bids for seats in the Senate

Candidates vying for state Senate seat

BY CHELYEN DAVIS

Date published: 4/24/2007

BY CHELYEN DAVIS

Although he's been in the race since mid-March, Republican state Senate candidate John Van Hoy yesterday officially kicked off his campaign for the 28th District.

Also yesterday, Sen. Edd Houck, D-Spotsylvania, announced he will run for re-election this year in the 17th District.

At a gathering in the offices of Creative Color Printing and Mailing, where he's a partner, Van Hoy said he thinks he has the edge over the three other candidates for the Republican nomination because he's pro-life, he's anti-tax, and he has experience with the district and the issues.

"My personal, political and professional education gives me a unique background," Van Hoy said. "From the very first day I can effect change because I know the people, I know the issues."

Van Hoy, who also talked about returning the district to a more conservative bent, said if he won the Senate seat, he would push for legislation declaring that life begins at conception.

Van Hoy is vying against three other candidates for the Republican nomination to run against Democrat Albert Pollard Jr.

The 28th Senate seat came up for grabs when 30-year incumbent Sen. John Chichester announced earlier this year that he will retire after this term.

Republicans will choose their nominee in a party-only primary May 19.

Russ Moulton, chairman of the 28th District Republican Committee, said yesterday that four candidates have filed to run: Van Hoy, Joe Graziano, Jonathan Myers, and Richard Stuart.

Graziano and Myers have already announced their campaigns. Stuart, an attorney in Westmoreland County, planned to announce his candidacy today.

Pollard, the only Democrat running for the seat, will kick off his own campaign this weekend with an organized litter pickup along roads in Stafford County.

In a press release, Pollard said he used to do annual trash pickups along roads in the Northern Neck. This year he's moving it to Stafford, and will have family and supporters helping clean up trash along the roads.

In the area's other Senate seat, Houck is running again for the seat he's held for 24 years.

In a written release, Houck noted that he is fourth in seniority in the Senate, and known for pushing for education-related issues.

Houck is also a member of the budget-writing Senate Finance Committee, and for the past two years has been a member of the small group of senators who negotiate a final budget deal with the House.

Houck said he thinks people in his district want a senator who isn't an extremist on either side, but is instead a "mainstream representative who puts their priorities above partisan politics."

No one has filed to run against Houck yet, although at least one Republican is considering it. Houck has never been unopposed in an election.

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Date published: 4/24/2007