Three opponents for Goode.
Two Democrats have gone on the record as intending to oppose Rep. Virgil Goode in the 2008 election, and I know an undeclared third, as well. The Hook has written about the latter two. First is UVa history professor David Shreve, who moved to Virginia from Louisiana in 1999. Charlottesville, university professor, not from Virginia; three strikes, he’s out. Next up we have Iraq War veteran, Chatham resident and former state trooper Brydon Jackson. Southside resident, Iraq vet, LEO? Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a candidate…at least on paper.
As I’ve said before, I can envision two hypothetical candidates who could defeat Goode: a much-loved, retired higher-up from a now-shuttered major Southside manufacturer, or a veteran of the war in Iraq, also from Southside. One of those seems to have turned up, luckily enough.
Here’s hoping that the third candidate tosses his hat into the ring, and that even more folks vie for the nomination. That would be healthy for 5th district Democrats and lead to a better candidate emerging from that process. But the healthiest thing for all residents of the district would be to replace Rep. Goode. He’s made clear in the past five weeks that his views are considerably out of step with the values of this country, this state, and this district. The onus is on Democrats to demonstrate that to the district and run a strong campaign in order to see that goal through.
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