Has been flying under the radar screen.
Downticket races rarely get much attention and, with the Democrats having their first gubernatorial primary in a generation, this is the certainly the case this year.
Jody Wagner enters the contest a strong favorite for the nomination. Wagner has experience in a significant Cabinet post as Secretary of Finance. She has strong support from many of the most well known party leaders. And she brings a large population base from her home region in Hampton Roads.
The real question is whether any of her lesser known opponents can generate enough support to make the race truly competitive and which of the other candidates- Bowerbank, Edmonson and Signer- actually stands the best chance of doing so.
A poll a few weeks back at Public Policy Polling indicated that not even many Democrats were paying much attention to the race. 75% of the Democrats polled said they were undecided. Yet Wagner’s 13% number was far ahead of any other challenger. Rich Savage, who recently withdrew from the contest, was second with 4%.
The straw poll at Gerry Connolly’s St. Paddy’s Day bash this week in Fairfax had Wagner leading with 48% to Mike Signer’s 28%.
Mike Signer?
I don’t think that the results are a fluke. I have heard from a number of sources that Signer, a fomer Deputy Council for Mark Warner, has been making a very good impression on Democratic activists in his travels around the state.
It will be a steep uphill climb to counter Wagner’s popularity, endorsements and financial resources. My sense is that she remains a very clear favorite. But if anyone can emerge to become her principal challenger, it is increasingly looking as if it may be Mike Signer.
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