CONFIRMED: Chuck Smith Drops 2nd District Candidacy, Endorses Scott Rigell
From the Scott Rigell campaign, confirming what we first reported yesterday here…
Chuck Smith Announces Withdrawal From His
Campaign For the 2nd District Congressional Seat
Endorses Scott Rigell for CongressVIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Chuck Smith, candidate for the Republican Party nomination for the 2nd District
Congressional seat, announced his withdrawal from the race today. The former Chairman of the Virginia
Beach Republican Party, ex-Navy JAG Officer and Marine issued the following statement today:“Today I am announcing the end of a journey and the start of a new one. When I announced my campaign
for Congress, it was to offer a new and committed path to rebuild and strengthen our communities through
conservative principles. I believe strongly in the principles of duty, honor and love of country. My
conservative principles are what lead me to serve my country, first as a United States Marine and
then as a Naval JAG Officer. This campaign has always been about putting God, country and family
first. And these are the same reasons why I am ending my candidacy for the Republican
nomination for the 2nd District congressional seat.Over the past year, spending in Washington has been out of control, and it is only getting worse. We
must help turn the tide by taking back this congressional seat in 2010. To win, we need a
candidate who is conservative, principled and can provide a clear vision for voters on how to get our
economy moving again.That man is Scott Rigell. Unlike the freshman incumbent, Scott has literally created hundreds of
jobs right here in Hampton Roads. As a successful entrepreneur, he has turned around a business,
started new businesses, created good jobs, and balanced a budget. Scott Rigell doesn’t just talk about
his conservative principles – he’s lived them, making tough decisions to keep his businesses growing.
And as a fellow Marine, he will always be dedicated to our veterans and our military.Scott Rigell has the strength and conservative grounding to stand up to the runaway agenda now driving
Washington. That is why I am proud to stand with him and support his candidacy for United States
Congress.”Scott Rigell issued the following statement on Friday:
“It is a true honor to receive the support of my friend and colleague, Chuck Smith. As a former
Chairman of the Virginia Beach Republican Party, he led the party with firm resolve and a clear vision.
Chuck has spent over three decades serving his country as both as a Marine and former
Navy JAG Officer and is a successful local attorney, Republican Party leader and conservative. Chuck
leads from the front, and it is a privilege to have him stand by my side.My campaign is about creating jobs for Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore families that are hurting,
bringing accountability to Congress, and leading America to true energy independence. It is vital
we unite the Republican Party to win in November. I am both humbled and honored to receive
Chuck Smith’s endorsement for my campaign for the Second Congressional District.”
Category: Campaigns and Elections
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Is this a primary or Survivor?
Who has immunity?
Like that was not some back room deal brokered by Rigell.
Chuck Smith is a sellout. I want to know what Rigell promised him.
I cannot believe this is even a valid discussion. Scott Rigell gave Barack Obama $1,000. Obama is the gravest threat to freedom our country has ever known and we are talking about sending someone to Congress AS A REPUBLICAN who aided his campaign.
It is clear to me that every single person who supports and every elected that endorses Rigell has absolutely no principles or is simply ignorant. Unfortunately money appears to have the same effect on them that the baloney the Heaven’s Gate Cult was selling had on its members. The Republican Party in the 2nd District appears to be preparing to commit suicide just like they did.
I would rather be punched in the face by a Democrat than stabbed in the back by a Republican.
Have we become a Party that just elects Republicans for the sake of electing Republicans? If that is the case then what separates us from the Democrats?
Back deal brokered by Rigell? James you have no idea what you’re talking about. That could not be further from the truth. Chuck Smith approached Rigell on his own initiative. You need to know the facts before you spew out garbage.
Well you know something about what happened then that none of the rest of us do then, why don’t you spell it out for everyone please.
I don’t want to hear you regurgitate some campaign garbage about how he is the real conservative.
Because when I think of “Conservative principles”, I usually do not think of that person being one of the biggest OBAMA check-writers in his area.
BTW, your message might as well say “paid for and authorized by Scott Rigell for Congress” at the bottom of it.
It seems that Chuck is like a lot of conservatives (like me) who are supporting Scott Rigell because he is a life-long conservative and entrepreneur who knows how to create jobs in this economy AND win in 2010. Chuck knows all the other competitors in this race personally, so this endorsement speaks volumes of his high opinion of Scott Rigell.
People who aren’t being honest are making the anti-Hillary Clinton donation in 2008 into something it wasn’t when Scott was a maxed out financial donor to Mitt Romney and John McCain.
It is also unfortunate that people are attacking Chuck Smith, who is a man of honor and has served his community and country. People should at least accept him at his word that Scott Rigell is the best man to run for this seat. Good for him for taking a stand, Chuck has a bright political future.
Yes James, I’m a Rigell supporter. I still have a right to say my opinions just like you do. Yes, I’m close to the campaign so I know how it all went down. Chuck Smith initiated it just like I said. This is not secret information anyone could contact either parties and ask for more details. There is no back room deal.
Just because Chuck Smith, who is a smart and honorable man, chose to support Rigell you think there must have been some foul play. This is ridiculous. Just because something positive happens to a candidate you don’t support does not mean that it happened through nefarious means.
Our party needs to stop defaming and attacking our own candidates. At the end of the day, we are all on the same team with a common goal: win back the 2nd district seat to a Republican.
If I wanted to make sure we had a strong Republican ticket, that wouldn’t include making a donation to the other side. Call me crazy but I don’t think giving money to democrats helps our cause. Can someone please explain why he donated to Obama? People keep asking me to explain this and I have no answer. Frankly, I’m embarrassed to say that someone running for this seat gave to the Spender in Chief.
Chuck Smith is a good man, and has alway shown great dignity and class in how it carries himself. Congrats on Chuck Smith recognizing and supporting Scott Rigell for Congress. I admire both men and am so excited about Scott’s candidacy.
I’m a conservative that has been impressed by Scott Rigell’s campaign; he is running on the right ideas, creating jobs while standing on conservative principles. Some of the posters want to talk about “old” news; everyone that ever talks with Scott knows he gave money in the Democratic Primary because he couldn’t bear the thought of 4 or 8 more years of the Clinton Dynasty.
I find it amazing that a man who is pro-life, Marine, life-long member of the NRA, anti-tax, financial supporter of Mike Farris, Ollie North, George Allen and Bob McDonnell is some kind of “liberal.”
I am confused as to how Rigell’s donation to Obama was “anti-hillary.” I can see how a donation to Hillary as part of operation chaos would be spinnable, but not the other way around. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE was calling on people to support Obama to keep Hillary out, that is like saying “lets send money to the MAJOR socialist in order to avoid the election of the MINOR socialist.” That does not make a whole lot of sense and for me it shows Rigell has poor judgment when it comes to people. And I also have questions about the McCain/Romney donations, where they primary and then general or both primary – because the timing matters. Primary and then general says, supporting the party guy. Both primary says, I am hedging my bets and can’t make a decision. And the latter is the exact opposite of what we need in Washington DC.
I love how a negative on your guy is always “old news” – 2008 was not that long ago. That said, I dislike the “buy my way to office” feel that I get from Rigell, just like his buddy McWaters. It is like the VA Beach Republicans are moving in the exact opposite direction of the rest of the country. Everyone else is moving to grassroots and homegrown blue collar Republicans, and VA Beach is moving to country club Republicans. That is a sure way to render yourselves, irrelevant in short order.
So Chuck has a “bright political future” because he endorsed Rigell? Now Chuck has no political future! Unless that was part of the deal that was made from the beginning.
Sugar-coat the donation, rationalize it to make it sound better, to make a not so long story shorter, Rigell supported OBAMA financially. The money that he donated went directly to aiding the Democrats.
Does that automatically disqualify him from my support? No, but it sure as hell looks like he just throws his money around to everyone he thinks will be politically convenient for him.
Reid,
I never said A THING about who I am supporting, you are doing a great job convincing me.
Govgirl is dead on. It’s the candidates, like Rigell, who think they can bully the public into supporting them through extravagent donations and massive media buys. I for one don’t buy it.
“Our party needs to stop defaming and attacking our own candidates. At the end of the day, we are all on the same team with a common goal: win back the 2nd district seat to a Republican.”
No – I can’t say that I am any more. I am tired of sell out Republicans. I am tired of the Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, type of “Republicans.” Having an R next to your name is not enough. I want someone who I know will take the stands that a CONSERVATIVE should take, and anyone who lacks the judgment to see that Obama was a socialist and has been one his entire life causes me great concern that they will exercise that same poor judgment in congress.
The donation in question, under FEC Rules, was classified as a “primary” donation, not a “general election” donation. You may not agree with the strategy, but I accept Scott that he ws committed to defeating Bill & Hillary Clinton any way possible, including donating to her opponent so he can stop her in the primary.
He also maxed out financially to Mitt Romney and John McCain, so every dollar in 2008 was given to stop a Democrat.
I know countless conservatives that participated in the 2008 Democratic battle, voting, etc. to stop either candidate. Even Rush Limbaugh encouraged conservatives to get involved, I guess Rush was a secret supporter to?
Every time I meet Scott Rigell i’m impressed by his clear conviction, decency and honesty. Great for Chuck Smith for supporting a fellow Marine and why people can’t accept his statement for what it is baffles me.
Looks like Rigell has great momentum going forward, congratulations and lets beat Glenn Nye.
“I know countless conservatives that participated in the 2008 Democratic battle, voting, etc. to stop either candidate. Even Rush Limbaugh encouraged conservatives to get involved, I guess Rush was a secret supporter to?”
Did you actually read what I wrote? I said that if he had given money to Hillary then he could sell this as operation chaos (which is what Rush called his plan to keep the Dems locked in a primary until the convention) – but he gave to the wrong person. Again – if his judgment is so poor as to not see (like every real conservative in the country did) that Hillary would be child’s play compared to Obama in the socialist department, I don’t think I want him in DC.
Govgirl,
Rigell maxed out for Romney in the primary and was Rigell’s guy all along. When Romney backed out and it was looking like the dems were going to win, he gave to Obama in the primary to stop the Clinton Dynasty. He then maxed out for McCain in the general. Hope that answers your question.
Rigell has given over $300k to Republicans over a 20 year time period. His dedication to the party is unquestionable. He was Bob McDonnell’s first Finance Chair back when Bob was running for House of Delegates. He is pro-life, life long member of the NRA, Regent grad, home-school family, church elder, fiscal conservative, pro-small business….calling him a “liberal” is really laughable when you look at the totality of his life and who he is. The democrats call him a “Pat Robertson clone” and our own republicans call him a “liberal”. Go figure.
Pretty sure I never said he was liberal.
Wow, already hard on the boards! I’ve purposefully laid off these boards since it seems to never pass a level of conversation past the superficial.
But here’s the thing. Endorsements are great news for a couple days, but in the end, it’ll be each candidates qualifications that makes them win or lose. It won’t be because someone else told them to vote.
For me, personally, its Rigell. Not because I know him. But because I want someone who has created jobs HERE. Knows how to create more jobs HERE. Knows what it’ll take to make sure i can keep feeding myself, keep the roof over my head and buy things i need to keep going!
Gee, did someone sleep through the Hillary Clinton 93 Health Care disaster? “it takes a village”? “travelgate”? “whitewater”? Impeachment? People forget how bad Hillary really was. She was the head of the infamous “health care task force” that met in private and tried to take over 1/6th of the US economy.
It’s amazing how people forget the 1990s.
Erik Dunn makes a great point, exactly why I’m supporting Scott Rigell. He’s able to say he’s created jobs and as an entrepreneur, knows first hand how hard it is to start and sustain a business.
We need men like that in Congress, especially with the worst economy in two decades. I’m tired of hearing of friends losing their jobs or getting pay cuts. Scott Rigell is a job creator, something Glen Nye (who has only worked for government) can’t claim.
Also, being a Regent grad does not necessarily make you someone I would vote for. I know lots of Regent grads, and many of them I would never vote for, because Regent (despite the left’s claims) is not just home to right wing extremists. It definitely has its fair share of democrats and yes, even a few liberals.
Govgirl,
I didn’t mean to imply you said that. My mistake. I was responding to the larger criticism that has been made on this thread.
Ok, let’s settle this right now. You people promoting the Rigell spin as to why he gave to Obama are absolutely nothing other than trolls spouting nonsense.
Scott Rigell is a liar. He did not give Obama money as an anti-Clinton donation. If he did, then he is an idiot. I do not consider Rigell to be an idiot, just a wimpy Rockerfeller Republican.
By March 10th, 2008, EVERYONE knew that Obama was going to be the nominee and that Clinton was not going to be. Obama had won 29 states and Clinton had won 14. Operation Chaos was in full effect with Rush Limbaugh telling everyone to VOTE FOR CLINTON in primaries where they could so that they could put the Democrat nomination in flux for as long as they could.
Well, to be clear, people forget that March 4, 2008 was a Huge election night win for Hillary Clinton. It was dubbed “mini-super Tuesday” and Hillary Clinton won in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas, going 3 for 3.
So, March 10, a Republican decides that it looks like Hillary is making a comeback and he wants to put a nail in the coffin for the Clinton Dynasty, makes sense to me.
John,
Exactly, Rigell knew at that point that Obama was going to win. I wonder how that 1k investment made out on the CASH FOR CLUNKERS program that RIgell had at his dealership? Is that money part of the over 200k he has given his own campaign? What about that 10k he gave to the yes campaign? It’s clear that there are Rigell paid trolls on here spouting his talking points. “I’m a conservative that has been impressed by Scott Rigell’s campaign; he is running on the right ideas, creating jobs while standing on conservative principles.” Please, where have you seen him running his campaign? At your staff meeting? Are you family? It is not that Rigell isn’t conservative or a great guy, He clearly lacks judgement. It’s funny how he has spread his money around more this year, and that those who have endorsed have received plenty of it. I just hope Chuck is not the same. We have a President and a Congress that seem to think throwing money at a problem solves it. We don’t need another Republican That does. No to RIgell.
Should Rigell prevail, the Dems are going to have a field day. He is the strongest financially but the weakest with the most negatives.
I invite GovGirl and John Hart and all others to come to breakfast with me at Scott’s office. We can schedule before or after the New Year. You can ask the man, face to face, about everything from the Obama check to the Fair Tax (he takes all questions-I’ve witnessed it more than once). I doubt you’ll do it, but I make the offer to “broker the deal” -so to speak.
What makes local politics great is that we can get involved on a very personal level. Blogs can’t come close to the personal interaction we all can experience when we show a little initiative to reach out to our candidates. I challenge you to talk to the man. It will become much more difficult to post such vitriolic language with a little grassroots, face-to-face interaction, and perspective in the political process. If anything it will further your seemingly(no offense) limited insight to the man who very well might be representing you in DC after Nye.
I’m serious. Get actively involved. Call me or text my cell phone 620-2611. This is an open process. It’s okay to be passionate – just seek out the information for yourself. It’s easily done. After that join the VB City Committee (if you live in VB if not join Norfolk or Hampton or wherever you live). VB’s new Chairman, David Bartholomew, and I certainly disagree – daily on some matters – but we would love to have your help. He values everyone on that committee because he knows a big tent is not only talking about diversity of ethnicity, but also diversity in political thought: moderate, conservative, independent and libertarian. These mind-sets are welcome within the Republican Party. Personal attacks are not. Personal attacks are better left to the unengaged and misinformed who lazily attack without regard for the humanity that helps Republicans win elections. I don’t mean to speak for David (so forgive me, Dave), but political philosophy is intended to be confrontational and passionate. What separates us as individuals is our ability to think for ourselves and seek out the truth behind the facades of our leaders. I guarantee you – the critics of Scott, I mean – that Scott Rigell is not the man represented in these threads. Together all republicans will choose a candidate. Together we can and will defeat Nye -no matter the nominee. I applaud your passion – it’s mine too – take it to another level.
Congrats to Richard, that is great that he is trying to facilitate better dialogue and try to get conservatives on the same page. Kudos for this, and much respect to Scott Rigell for always being open to meet with people one on one to discuss the issues, including those that disagree with him.
I doubt that any candidate in this race would have a problem speaking with someone face to face. It truly doesn’t change the action. The downplay of the donation is absolutely ludicrous. It is expected thought from folks supporting Rigell. I could never be convinced why it makes sense to write Barack Obama a thousand dollar check. Poor judgement. Poor judgement. Poor judgement.
businesses often donate to candidates on both sides. It’s called hedging your bets, and it’s a smart business decision. If everyone (I hope) agrees the preeminent issue in this race is jobs, then the business savy decision by Rigell might be seen as a positive.
Mr. Rigell has stepped into the candidate arena. He is no longer just a businessman playing both sides. A candidate is never one of the highest donors to the other side in his zip code, especially another who is the most liberal on his side. Even he on a blog explained it as anti Hilary and that he was inspired and motivated by Barack. Please, spare us these sad justifications for a horrible decision. It’s nice that you think this election is just going to be about jobs. Unfortunately for you, the Government is not responsible for creating jobs, you and I are.