Congratulations to Jeff McWaters on his primary victory over City Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson in Saturday’s Republican primary. McWaters picked up 62.9% of the 7,594 votes cast.

So far, there aren’t any official contenders from Democrats or otherwise to run against McWaters in a general election, and with the primary turnout being over half of the total votes for Ken Stolle in 2003 and 2007, any chances for a challenger’s success is going to be slim.

I’ve been hearing some rumbling of the possibility of a challenger for McWaters, but whether or not that challenge becomes a reality is to be seen. Further, the chances of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee investing any resources, including a nomination, is slim.

On the bright side, McWaters was slammed by some conservatives for being liberal on transportation. While CEO of Amerigroup, Jeff McWaters contributed $10,000 to the YES Campaign, which sought to raise revenue for transportation funding through an increase in the state sales tax. Personally, I think this is a positive point for McWaters, as transportation funding is needed and can’t be found in the general budget. Though I doubt that McWaters will preach transportation funding in the Senate like Peter Schmidt would have in the House,  it’s nice to know that the likely-to-be-incoming Senator in the 8th understands the seriousness of the transportation issue here in Hampton Roads and throughout Virginia.

Related posts:

1. Deeds WAPO editorial clarifies his transportation plan
2. Washington Post: Endorsement of Creigh Deeds comes down to transportation, again
3. Little heat in the debate between Bouchard and Stolle
4. Why I’m Walking Away from the Deeds Campaign
5. The night may be long