Marshall to Challenge Gilmore For Republican Nomination

Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William), with his wife, Cathy, and son Tommy, announces his U.S. Senate bid. (By Steve Helber -- Associated Press)

Because the Republican State Central Committee decided in October to hold a convention instead of a primary, about 10,000 party activists will chose the nominee.

"If he activates people at the grass roots, he will win," Patrick McSweeney, an anti-tax activist and former chairman of the state party, said of Marshall, whom he supports.

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), who also supports Marshall, said the delegate's entry into the race creates a "whole different ballgame" for Gilmore.

"Bob thinks life begins at conception, and as I understand Jim Gilmore's position, he is unwilling to protect unborn children until 60 or 90 days," Cuccinelli said.

Gamonal countered that Gilmore was one of the "most proactive pro-life governors in history." As governor, Gilmore fought for a late-term abortion ban, 24-hour waiting periods and parental notification laws, she said.

"The alternative is Mark Warner, who is pro-abortion," Gamonal said.

Some Republicans argue that Marshall, who tried unsuccessfully to unseat House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) recently, is too polarizing to win the nomination.

A former Democrat, Marshall was elected to the House in 1991. He is an outspoken critic of tax increases, including the recently approved regional taxing authorities in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

Marshall has also earned headlines for his conservative views on social issues, including efforts to restrict the availability of contraception. The constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, which voters approved in 2006, is named for him and the Senate sponsor, Stephen D. Newman (R-Lynchburg).

Last year, Marshall introduced a bill to expand the definition of adultery to include sexual acts besides intercourse.

But Marshall isn't easy to define. He earns high ratings from environmental groups because of his efforts to control suburban sprawl.

In his reelection bid last year, Marshall won with 57 percent of the vote, even though some Democrats thought he would be vulnerable.

"I come from a Democratic background where our first goal was talk to your friends, get your neighbors interested and go door-to-door," said Marshall.