The outspoken sports promoter last year sided with moderate Republicans and Democrats to push a $1.5 billion tax increase to invest in state services. He has also used his chairmanship of the Senate's Education and Health Committee to help block some conservative social legislation approved by the House.
Students of Virginia politics said Potts's candidacy underscored divisions in the Republican Party that have widened in the last 20 years over such issues as abortion and, more recently, taxes.
"I believe that Virginia is a moderate, middle-of-the-road state. That's where I am," said Potts (R-Winchester).
(Steve Helber -- AP)
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"It's obvious he wants a more socially moderate party and he has differences with the hard-liners on taxes," said Mark Rozell, a professor of politics at George Mason University.
Republicans said Potts is betraying his party and insisted that it will stand strong behind Kilgore.
"Russ Potts will be revealed as an ill-tempered tax-and-spend liberal whose sole contribution is to amuse the media," said Sen. James K. "Jay" O'Brien Jr. (R-Fairfax).
In the Senate, Potts's Republican colleagues met behind closed doors for two hours before emerging and asking in writing that he resign his five committee seats, including his chairmanship. Potts refused.
The general election in Virginia will take place Nov. 8. Warrenton Mayor George B. Fitch announced this month that he will challenge Kilgore in the June 14 Republican primary.
Staff writer Michael D. Shear contributedto this report.
