'New Blood' Needed to Reverse GOP's Fortunes, Some in Party Say

"I think the state Republican Party is in shambles and frankly deserves to be," said Corey A. Stewart (R), who was elected to a full term as chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. He was a critic of the transportation plan enacted by the General Assembly this spring.

"I think it is time for a change in direction of the party. It doesn't have to be young or youthful leadership, but it should be new leadership," said Stewart, 39.

Although restless Republicans said they are unlikely to call for the removal of House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) or state party Chairman John H. Hager, younger faces plan to push for a greater role in developing and delivering the party's message.

"I sense a level of frustration because a lot of our younger guys have been sitting on the sidelines," said Saxman, 42. "There has been a lot of 'put me in, coach,' so maybe it's time for them to move from double-A to triple-A."

Many analysts noted that Virginia Republicans have a deeper bench of potential statewide candidates than the Democrats, which bodes well for their future. But as new leaders such as Stewart and Saxman seek to bolster their profile, the new generation of GOP leaders is competing under the shadows of the state's past two Republican governors.

Former governor James S. Gilmore III is widely expected to seek the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate next year, even though some party leaders say they fear he is unelectable. Gilmore trails Warner in early public opinion polls.

"I think there are more effective messengers for our party than former governor Gilmore," said David Avella, chairman of the 8th Congressional District Republican Committee, which includes Arlington County, Alexandria, Falls Church and part of Fairfax County. "We have good, young Republican leaders. This is their opportunity."

Gilmore countered that he is well positioned to become an effective spokesman for the party, especially in Northern Virginia, by focusing on the issues of taxes, transportation and education.

"I think there has long been an effort to try to separate the people of Northern Virginia from the rest of the state and characterize them as different, and I think that is not true," Gilmore said. "The people of Northern Virginia are the same as people everywhere. They are concerned about kitchen-table issues."

But a potential Gilmore candidacy is also worsening the split between moderates and conservatives. Last month, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III, a moderate from Fairfax County, abandoned plans to run for the Senate after the state party chose to hold a nominating convention instead of a primary. A convention, which Gilmore pushed for, traditionally favors a conservative candidate.

Davis and John Warner have emerged as critics of the state GOP. Warner said after Tuesday's election that the state party had "drifted" too far right.

The call for fresh party leaders could grow even louder in the 2009 governor's race.