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It's a battle of nice guys for the 28th Senate seat

There's a state Senate race that might reawaken your enthusiasm for politics

Date published: 8/1/2007

By Ed Jones

FEEL THAT refreshing breeze wafting in from the Northern Neck?

No? Well, you may before the leaves turn.

That's because the 28th state Senate district, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay through Stafford County into Fauquier, may be about to offer something more rare than an ice storm in August: an informed, reasoned, civil campaign for political office.

It seems almost un-American to be unable to complain about candidate nastiness or misleading ads. And let's face it, things could turn sour by November.

But for now, Republican Richard Stuart of Westmoreland County and Democrat Albert Pollard of Lancaster County are the enlightened exceptions to the rule.

Both of the men hoping to succeed longtime state Sen. John Chichester of Northumberland County have distinguished records of serving the public: Pollard as a six-year member of the House of Delegates; Stuart as a Westmoreland County prosecutor.

Both are from families with strong ties to the Northern Neck. Both claim environmental credentials: Pollard as a former Chesapeake Bay Foundation Legislator of the Year; Stuart as as an avid outdoorsman who has singled out smart growth as a priority.

Both are articulate, bright and friendly in a Virginia gentlemanly sort of way.

Both have committed to a series of debates on the issues.

There are even little touches that make them special. You've got to love a farmer/businessman who hails from Mollusk, Va., (Pollard), or a lawyer with a bit of Cambridge (England) University training to add to his Virginia academic credentials (Stuart).

Listen to these two candidates for a while, as I have recently, and you get the idea that, if the cards had been dealt differently, they might be voting for each other. Indeed, Stuart once supported Pollard in a campaign for office.

Maybe that's what makes this race so attractive. Both candidates exude bipartisan instincts. Granted, each will undoubtedly try to emphasize differences as a way of revving up his base. But neither one would have trouble reaching across the aisle for bipartisan solutions.

Put it all together, and you can envision two ways this race will be decided in November.

The first (and my favorite) is that voters will listen to the candidates' specific proposals on environmental protection, transportation solutions and education reforms, and make a reasoned choice.

The second scenario is that the voters won't see much difference between the two, and opt for the party over the man.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. For now, I'm exulting in pre-Labor Day enthusiasm for a political contest that might do the unthinkable--inform and inspire.

Ed Jones: 540/374-5401
Email: edjones@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 8/1/2007