Virginia voters yesterday chose two nominees with strong appeal for core loyalists in their respective parties as candidates for lieutenant governor this November.
State Sen. Bill Bolling (R-Hanover), a veteran state lawmaker and a leader of the legislature's antitax contingent, convincingly defeated a well-funded challenge from Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Sean T. Connaughton to win the Republican Party nomination.
On the Democratic side, former state delegate, senator and U.S. representative Leslie L. Byrne beat back three competitors, including Del. J. Chapman Petersen of Fairfax, for her party's nomination. Byrne, 58, has long been known for her outspoken style in support of abortion rights and gay rights, as well as expanded health care and the environment. Yesterday's win represented the first step of a political comeback for Byrne, who lost her state Senate seat in 2002 when district lines were redrawn.
"We put together a grass-roots effort, and it paid off," Byrne said. "We won in places like Staunton, in places like Winchester, not just in Northern Virginia."
Byrne had perhaps the best name recognition in her party from more than two decades in politics. Voters at several polls said they felt comfortable with her long record.
"I know her -- she's a woman and she's been good for Fairfax," said county resident Elyse Galik, 51.
Bolling had deep support from party activists who saw him as the race's true conservative, particularly on tax issues.
"The reason why we have done so well tonight is that we have communicated a responsible conservative vision for the future of Virginia that the people of Virginia share," Bolling said in suburban Richmond before 200 supporters, who later swayed to "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang as Bolling stepped from the podium.
In addition to defeating Petersen, 37, Byrne also beat Richmond Del. Viola O. Baskerville and state Sen. Phillip P. Puckett (Russell), in a race where no candidate received more than 35 percent of the vote. Petersen, who attributed his loss to his failure to capture support from Democratic interest groups, said the November race between Bolling and Byrne will be one of contrasts.
"The two represent polarities in the parties," he said.
The office of lieutenant governor has limited power, presiding over the Senate each winter but voting only in case of a tie. Yesterday's results could prove important in the Nov. 8 election, however, since gubernatorial candidates will be campaigning alongside their party's choice for lieutenant governor.
For Republicans, this year's primary race was well-funded and bitter, as Connaughton and Bolling clashed over who was more committed to cutting taxes, restricting abortion and banning gay marriage. They accused one another of distortions, dishonesty and, perhaps worst of all in a contest for the hearts of party activists, liberalism.
