LuAnn Bennett, Former Wife of Rep. Jim Moran and Head of the Bennett Group, Thinking About Run Against Barbara Comstock?

Verrrrry interesting.

No Democrat has entered the race against freshman Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock. But there’s a new recruit whose name may be familiar to Washington.

National Democrats are talking to businesswoman LuAnn Bennett, who is president of the District of Columbia-based Bennett Group, a real estate management firm. Bennett is also the third ex-wife of former Rep. James P. Moran, who represented Virginia’s 8th District until his retirement in 2015.

“I know she’s giving it consideration,” Moran told CQ Roll Call on Friday.

“She would be a phenomenal member of Congress. She’s extremely intelligent and she’s been a successful businesswoman,” Moran said.

“But as a responsible adult she’s considering it from every perspective — personally, financially, politically. That’s a big decision. Obviously a career and life-changing decision. She’s going about it in a very deliberate fashion, which is what I would expect from her.”

“She’d be a great candidate,” Moran added. “Problem is, having been married to me, she knows exactly what kind of sacrifice is entailed.”

Bennett’s ability to raise money, and potentially to tap into her personal coffers, would make her a strong get, a Northern Virginia Democratic source told CQ Roll Call. Moran’s minimum net worth declined significantly after he and Bennett divorced.

Bennett could not be reached for comment at her D.C. office.

Personally, I don’t know much about LuAnn Bennett, but her bio – tremendous business background, plus experience in sustainable construction, a 2008 appointment by Governor Tim Kaine to the Climate Change Commission for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and service on the boards of The Virginia Health Care Foundation, Charity Works Advisory Board and National Children’s Museum.
– is highly impressive. In general, she sounds like exactly the type of person who might make a strong Democratic challenger to Rep. Barbara Comstock. I’m defiintely going to keep my eye on this and ask around for people’s opinions…