John LaCombe and Jody Wagner spoke to attendees of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee breakfast on December 13th, 2008; each defining who they are and making their case for why they should be elected in their respective races.

LaCombe is running in the special election for the seat vacated by Terri Suite in the Virginia House of Delegates, 81st district. VBDC chairman, Ollie Bates, introduced Lacombe with an account of how LaCombe passed his first test toward being the official Democratic nominee with flying colors by attending a forum of the Virginia Tax Payer’s Alliance, staying for the whole meeting, answering every question, and receiving ovations; the only candidate to do so.

LaCombe’s strength is his proven dedication to working on solving problems that affect every person, especially those who struggle. He founded CapAmerica to fight predatory lending nationally, and is credited by Tyrone K. Yates, member of the Ohio House of Representatives and President of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, for the passage of the toughest regulations on payday lending in Ohio.

Jody Wager is running for Lt. Governor of Virginia and has an outstanding record of service to the state under the Warner and Kaine administrations, first as the Treasurer of Virginia and then Virginia Secretary of Finance. She resigned as Secretary of Finance to campaign for Lt. Governor, and makes the case that he election would help keep in place and expand the successes the state has had, from being named a best managed state in the nation, to being one of the best states in the nation to raise children.

Wagner has organized a campaign targeting incumbent Bill Bolling, who is running for reelection; however, she must first face Jon Bowerbank, and possibly Dick Cranwell in the Democratic primary in order to go head-to-head with Bolling. Bowerbank is an executive with an energy services company, and serves on the Russell County Board of Supervisors. Cranwell is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and Chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia.

All candidates are welcome to come speak at the VBDC breakfast, and the committee does not endorse any candidate prior to a primary election.

[X-Posted to Blue Commonwealth]

[ETA: Cranwell hasn't officially announced his candidacy, but it was mentioned during VBDC breakfast that there was the possible of another solid entry, and based on what Cranwell has said in the past; it could be him.]

Related posts:

1. Rep. Glenn Nye’s VBDC breakfast presentation cancelled
2. VBDC Beakfast and DPVA Unity Canvass
3. Oberndorf and Sessoms make joint endorsement of Jody Wagner for Lt. Governor