Wednesday, May 19, 2004

The horse race for LG nomination in 2005

The Richmond paper has this article on the politicians trying to drum up interest in their candidacies for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 2005. The article says that Senator Puckett is among those out on the stump:

Puckett, a teacher-turned-insurance agent first elected to the state Senate in 1997, envisions himself as a moderate-to-conservative counterweight to the Democrats' presumed gubernatorial nominee, Lt. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who forged more liberal credentials as Richmond mayor.

Puckett said his resistance to gun control and abortion - he describes himself as a "pro-life Democrat" - are likely to trouble partisans for whom abortion rights and firearms restrictions are articles of faith.

"But I hope that might be a plus somewhere across the commonwealth for me," he said, appearing to refer to the rural Southwest Virginia base he shares with the likely Republican nominee for governor, Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, a native of Scott County.

Puckett said the issues he intends to spotlight include transportation, and the need to raise new cash for the state road system. That, he said, might mean higher fuel taxes and additional levies on motor vehicle titles.

Puckett said rural voters generally favor the $1.4 billion tax package passed during the marathon session of the 2004 legislature because it provides much-needed funds for public education, law and order and social services.

No comments: