Virginia Rep. Nye Loses A Republican Challenger

[ccharles000]

One of the seven Republicans challenging freshman Rep. Glenn Nye (D-Va.) is dropping out of the race and backing Scott Rigell, an automotive executive who is a leading candidate for the 2nd district seat.

Chuck Smith, a lawyer and former Marine, said in a statement Friday that he was ending his campaign and backing Rigell. whom he said was a "successful entrepreneur" who has "turned around a business, started new businesses, created good jobs, and balanced a budget."

"Scott Rigell has the strength and conservative grounding to stand up to the runaway agenda now driving Washington," Smith said. "That is why I am proud to stand with him and support his candidacy for United States Congress."

Smith, who previously headed the Republican organization in Virginia Beach, the population center of the 2nd district, early this year became the first Republican to initiate a 2010 campaign against Nye. But he raised very little money for his campaign.

Rigell's backers include ex-Rep. Thelma Drake (R), whom Nye unseated in 2008, and Jeanine McDonnell, the eldest daughter of Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R). The National Republican Congressional Committee has spoken highly of Rigell's candidacy.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/12/virginia-rep-nye-loses-a-repub.html