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Some in GOP urge Wittman to run Date published: 2/11/2011
RICHMOND—Some Republicans, apparently not satisfied with the two announced Republican candidates for the 2012 race, are encouraging Rep. Rob Wittman to run.
Wittman, a Republican from Montross who’s in his second full congressional term for the 1st District, is seen as more moderate than other candidates already declared or considering a run. Sen. Jim Webb, a Democrat, announced earlier this week he would not seek another term.
In the already-running GOP camp are tea party candidate Jamie Radtke and former Sen. George Allen.
Radtke had run the Richmond Tea Party before stepping down to run, while Allen, who lost that Senate seat to Webb in 2006 after a divisive campaign, comes with baggage of his own and is in the odd position of having to convince the tea party conservatives that he’s actually conservative for them.
Two other Republicans who are considering runs, Del. Bob Marshall of Manassas and Prince William County supervisor Corey Stewart, are also further to the right and more outspoken than Wittman.
Wittman spokesman Mary Springer told The Free Lance-Star Wittman “never says never” but is currently focused on representing the 1st District.
Wittman has a long history of elected office, serving as a Westmoreland County supervisor and Montross mayor before winning the 99th House of Delegates seat in 2005. When former congresswoman Joann Davis died in 2007, Wittman won in a special election for the 1st District seat. He was elected to his second full term in Congress last fall.
An environmental health and shellfish specialist with the state health department for years, Wittman has been active in Congress on Chesapeake Bay issues, as well as military and veteran issues.
He is Republican but sometimes votes with an independent streak; in 2008, when then-President George Bush urged congress to pass TARP funds, Wittman voted against it. He has also voted against health care reform, stimulus spending and other Democratic proposals.
Wittman is not generally hated by the tea party wing, but is not their darling either. During last year’s congressional campaign, Wittman faced a primary challenge from Catherine Crabill, who had the backing of some tea party groups and who was angry at Wittman for refusing to support her in her 2008 race for the 99th House seat. Wittman won easily, with almost 90 percent of the primary vote. But while he often votes the way tea party activists would like, some said last year they wanted him to be more aggressive in opposing Democrats and President Barack Obama. They felt he was toeing the Republican Party line too much.
But Wittman does not always vote along party lines. In 2008, Wittman voted against President’s Bush’s TARP bailout legislation that was written and backed by Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th District.
Aggressive is not a term most would use to describe Wittman, a mild-mannered scientist whose approach to getting things done in Congress has been to make friends and build consensus.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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