Very interesting: yesterday, on Bloomberg TV, former Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA05) – who in 2024 opposed Donald Trump and endorsed Kamala Harris for president, Sen. Tim Kaine for reelection, and Eugene Vindman (D) for VA07 – announced that he has formed an “exploratory committee to run for statewide office.” According to Riggleman:
“I think I would rather try to change the dynamic of the two-party system…you know, I ran as a Republican. I got to be behind the door with Trump, I was Republicans for Harris. And the things that I saw…on either side, which…actually frighten me based on special interests, it always has, when I got into politics, not till the age of about 46, 47.
So, yeah…I have a lot of…fiduciary responsibilities for my companies. But that’s why we started an exploratory committee, because I think there needs to be somebody who’s willing to drag the axe and tell the truth regardless if there’s an R or D behind people’s names. And that’s why we’re looking at, there’s a lot of people who’ve have asked me, they don’t have to force me, nobody’s going to force me to do anything. But it was interesting to see the amount of support I had just for an exploratory committee.
[Question: “Lieutenant Governor?”] Well, maybe that or, you know, statewide office. [Question: “Could you run the state of Virginia?”] I don’t know if I could with, that’s why we’re looking at conflicts of interest and stuff like that. But Lieutenant Governor is absolutely a possibility. [Question: “You would not be running a Republican, though?]” No. I’ll be running as Denver F’ing Riggleman.”
Note that it’s VERY hard to win statewide office in Virginia as an independent candidate (can anyone remember the last time someone did this successfully? Henry Howell for Lt. Governor in 1971, I guess). And if I had to put money on it, I’d guess that the person elected as Virginia’s next Lt. Governor will be either the Democratic or Republican nominee. But a Denver Riggleman independent candidacy, whether for Lt. Governor or Governor, would certainly be fascinating to watch – entertaining for sure – and could change the dynamics of the 2025 campaign, if nothing else. Stay tuned! (Also, we’ll see if Bob Good or Amanda Chase runs for statewide office, whether as Republicans or Independents…)
P.S. “Hat tip” to former Del. Chris Saxman (R) on this story.
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