Russ Potts retired a few weeks ago. Its being reported all over the blogs that John Chichester is about to do the same thing (BVBL, Right-Wing Liberal, Virtucon). I heard excatly the same thing tonight at Marc Cadin's kickoff. John Van Hoy is definatly in, and the people I talked to are equally sure that the senators brother, Stafford Commonwealth's Attorney Dan Chichester, will run for the seat. And others should follow, making this a very crowded race. Now if the Democrats were smart, they would spend big money here (Boyd Marcus pointed this out), but they are so focused on Devobrienelli Triad in NOVA that they won't.
The next logical question turns to Sen. Charles Colgan (D-Prince William). The senator will be 80 and his home base has passed him bye. The country BOS is dominated by Republicans, and the delegation in the House are conservative Republicans Jeff Frederick, Jackson Miller, and Scott Lingamfelter. And in the senate, the old boys are leaving. His close friend, Hal Parrish (yes I know he was a delagate), sadly passed last year. Potts and Chichester will now be gone. He just sold his airline business for a ton of money. The point is, what will be the point of Colgan returning? His district is the most Republican district in the commonwealth represented by a Democrat. Does he want to be like Parrish, dying while in office? Does he want to go back to a Senate that no longer includes his friends? Wouldn't a man 80 years old who just made a ton of money want to retire? Heavy pressure will be on his to run from Democrats, but at some time, what is the point?
If Colgan retires, Bob FitzSimmonds will be a senator.
If Colgan does not retire, FitzSimmonds will be a senator.
Posted by: Hamilton | March 11, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Here is the point. Colgan has been a Senator a long time. It may not be his life but it encompasses a big part of it. He could be worried that he will be like Bear Bryant. Retire from a job he has for so long and die a few months later.
I think it is possible that for Sen. Colgan, the Assembly and its work, is something to look forward to and a reason to get up everyday and go on.
Posted by: George Templeton | March 12, 2007 at 12:56 AM
George makes some good points...however...
I think it is possible he remembers his friend Harry Parrish, who left Richmond to return to Manassas at the end of the 206 session, felt terribly ill on the drive, went straight to the PWCo Hospital, and died there-never getting to come home.
I think he may also remember the bitter primary campaign between Parrish and Chapman in 2005, and knows this relection campaign will be the same type of bruising contest.
Colgan has a passle of grandchildren, and a wealth of interests. The only real reason for him to go back is the possibility of being president pro tempore of the senate, but that would depend on the democrats getting the majority.
I think it is 51-49 that he does retire...
Posted by: bwana | March 12, 2007 at 01:49 PM