Saturday, August 16, 2008
Wagner seeks to replace Bolling
The former state finance secretary opened her campaign for lieutenant governor.
RICHMOND -- Former state Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner launched her campaign for lieutenant governor Friday, touting her experience working for two Democratic governors and her desire to "keep Virginia's fiscal house in order."
Wagner announced her candidacy just a week after stepping down as Gov. Tim Kaine's finance secretary. The Virginia Beach resident announced her 2009 campaign plans in a video e-mailed to supporters and posted on her Web site.
"I'm running for lieutenant governor because, as a mom and small-business owner, I know that we need steady, proven leadership in Richmond," Wagner said in the announcement video.
Wagner is the second Democrat to formally announce plans to seek the seat now occupied by Republican Bill Bolling, who will seek re-election next year. Businessman Jon Bowerbank, a member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, started his campaign in the spring and has been traveling the state in an effort to build support.
Wagner, 53, served as state treasurer in Gov. Mark Warner's administration and was named to Kaine's Cabinet in 2006. She has been the administration's point person in dealing with revenue shortfalls caused by a slowing economy and answering Republican lawmakers who have questioned the administration's revenue projections and spending priorities.
"As secretary of finance under Governor Kaine, I helped keep Virginia moving forward by investing in our infrastructure while standing up to those who wanted to be reckless with Virginia's fiscal stability," Wagner said in the video. "By making hard decisions, we've kept Virginia fiscally strong despite difficult economic times."
Wagner made a brief reference to Bolling, saying "there are too many politicians in Richmond -- including our current lieutenant governor -- who disagree with this common-sense approach."
Bolling spokesman Randy Marcus said the Republican incumbent "has a record of accomplishment and providing common-sense solutions to the challenges we face in Virginia."
"While Ms. Wagner and other liberal Democrats fight for their party's nomination, Lieutenant Governor Bolling will continue to work in a bipartisan, pragmatic manner to build a better Virginia," Marcus said.
Wagner practiced law in Norfolk before joining Warner's administration and lost a close race for an open seat in Congress in 2000. She and her husband, Dr. Alan Wagner, also operate a small family business in Virginia Beach.
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