Cox wins Dem nomination

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham The mood was triumphant, almost giddy. Republicans in the 24th Senate District seem almost hopelessly divided – and local Democrats think they smell blood in the water. “We have this unprecedented opportunity to get somebody in this seat who can make a difference in Richmond, who can help Gov. Kaine, who…

Hanger, Sayre talk to Staunton Republicans

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Emmett Hanger and Scott Sayre were in the same room – briefly. The candidates for the 24th Senate District Republican Party nomination passed like ships in the night at their joint appearance at a Staunton Republican Committee meeting Tuesday – with Hanger, the three-term incumbent state senator under fire from local…

Can local GOP repair bridge?

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Will Greater Augusta-area Republicans be able to work together after the coming June 12 primary in the 24th Senate District? One local GOP blogger isn’t so sure. “It depends a lot on what’s happened between now and then,” said Chris Green, the editor of Spank That Donkey and a member of…

Sayre rings up GOP endorsements

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham A new twist in politics – an endorsement war – has sprung up in the Emmett Hanger-Scott Sayre race for the Republican Party nomination in the 24th Senate District. Sayre, the challenger to Hanger, the three-term incumbent, has laid claim to the grassroots – with the endorsement of Augusta County GOP…

Hanger pushes back

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Emmett Hanger is not going to be pushed around by the local Republican Party apparatus. “A lot of attention has been paid to the fact that there are individuals within the Republican Party in leadership positions who are not supporting me,” said Hanger, a three-term incumbent state senator who formally kicked…

Sayre takes no-tax pledge

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham It should be no surprise that Scott Sayre has made formal his pledge against raising taxes. Sayre, a Buena Vista businessman who is challenging incumbent Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, for the Republican Party nomination in the 24th Senate District, made it official on Tuesday – announcing that he has signed…

Sayre gets VCAP endorsement

Chris Graham

Column by Chris Graham Scott Sayre will need to get the backing of grassroots conservatives for his bid to unseat 24th District state senator Emmett Hanger to be successful. He picked up the endorsement of the cash- and member-rich Virginia Conservative Action PAC today – leading to the obvious question. Should Sen. Hanger be worried?

Sayre announces candidacy in 24th

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Scott Sayre wants to take his conservative values to Richmond. He also wants to take the high road from the Shenandoah Valley to the State Capitol. “This is going to be a very, very positive campaign,” said Sayre, who announced today that he will be challenging the three-term incumbent in the…