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Our friends at Virginia Virtucon this morning relayed what appears to be an e-mail update to friends from former delegate and Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Jeff Frederick in which he announces that he is “actively considering” a run for the 36th district Virginia Senate seat currently held by liberal Democrat Toddy Puller. In the note, Mr. Frederick also announces the launch of his new web site and blog and plugs his new political action committee — Virginia’s Future PAC — dedicated to funding conservative Virginia legislative candidates. But the thrust of it is about his potential run for the General Assembly’s upper chamber:

Second, I have a bit of an announcement. Sort of.

To perhaps reduce some of the phone calls I’m getting from a number of folks, I wanted to let you know that I am actively considering running for the state Senate. Specifically, in the 36th district (current incumbent: Toddy Puller).

You know me as someone “who does what he says” and “says what he means”, so when I say we’re considering running, I mean it. Nothing more and nothing less; this is not some coy politician way of saying I’m running but I don’t want it public yet. The honest truth is that I’m on the fence (which is unusual for me). The fact is, as you might imagine, there are both pros and cons of such an undertaking of attempting to unseat an incumbent in a marginal (or just flat out tough gerrymandered) district; doing so in such a short timeframe; and reentering public life with three children under the age of 5.

But, for me it’s always been about serving and if God is lighting the path for me to contribute in this way, we’ll charge full speed ahead at the opportunity — and the challenge.

It would certainly be interesting campaign if Mr. Frederick enters it and quite a contrast in candidates’ philosophies. But despite the Democrat leanings of the district, no one should count out the former delegate should he run. After all, he won three terms in the House from a Democrat leaning district that went to the Dems in 2009 — a landslide Republican year and the year he did not seek re-election. So, he does know how to campaign. If he does run and win, the Virginia Senate most definitely will be a different place. Stay tuned.

About the same time I received the Fimian campaign’s e-mail alert trumpeting Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s endorsement, something that’s taken, not unexpectedly, only minutes to create a major political buzz (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog), I received an e-mail from former Delegate and Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Jeff Frederick. He also endorsed Fimian:

. . . join me in supporting Keith Fimian. Keith is a successful small businessman who has literally created hundreds of jobs — just the kind of leader we need today. Plus, unlike others in this race, he is the opposite of a typical Washington Republican/politician — which is exactly the kind of person we need representing us. But most importantly from our perspective, Amy and I are proud to call him a friend who has always stood by us. 

Note the phrasing “typical Washington Republican/politician.” Frederick has no need for certain politicians be they Republican or whatever else.

Fimian is facing fellow Republican Pat Herrity for the Republican nomination to face first-term incumbent Democrat Gerry Connolly in Virginia’s 11th Congressional district. It is considered a swing district and most likely will be tracked by national pundits to detect any trends for this November’s mid-term elections. A GOP pick-up here probably foretells a big national gain for the Republicans.

Today, at his third annual bloggers conference, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling declared in no uncertain terms the theme in this fall’s statewide elections:

“It’s not about Bob McDonnell, it’s not about Bill Bolling, it’s not about Jeff Frederick or our attorney general candidates. It’s about leading the state.”

He followed that with the equally declarative:

“If we (Republicans) lose, to be honest, it’ll be another decade before a Republican wins another statewide race. We will be blue. It’ll be hard to argue against that. …

“If we can’t unite and get excited about this campaign we’ll be a minority party for a long time.”

He said that while it is understandable some Republicans and conservative activists may find recent elections discouraging, it is no reason to disengage given the stakes this fall. He drew stark marks of distinction between his ticket’s opponents, who favor such extreme issues as card check but oppose the exploration of energy off of Virginia’s shores, and who are beholden to big labor union bosses who announced this week they are pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into negative ads against Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bob McDonnell — effective immediately. 

More tomorrow.

It’s Monday and that means catching up with all the papers from the weekend which means a large News Stand today. Here’s a breakdown: Governor’s race, Jeff Frederick out as RPV chairman, Governor’s race, Jeff Frederick out as RPV chairman, Governor’s race, Jeff Frederick out as RPV chairman and, oh yeah, a item here and there about Tax Day Tea Parties, this week’s General Assembly Veto Session, VDOT bonuses and regulations on fundraising bingo games. Also, a D.C. “tradition” comes to an end.

News:

Tax Day tea parties planned across Va. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Jobless aid on assembly’s 1-day agenda (Roanoke Times) 

More Than 400 Workers Got Bonuses and Raises Last Year (Washington Post)    

Bingo is big business in Virginia (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Virginia GOP ousts Frederick as chairman (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. GOP Ousts Chairman Who Ignored Call to Resign (Washington Post)

Frederick ousted as Va. GOP chairman (Washington Times)

GOP Searches for a New Leader (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Deeds: Transportation No. 1 Issue (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Sen. Deeds comes to town (Winchester Star) 

McAuliffe says ‘honest discussion’ needed (Lynchburg News & Advance) 

McAuliffe Takes A Chapter From Obama Playbook In Governor Bid(Washington Post) 

Hopefuls at N.Va. Forum Discuss Unions, Woo Tech Sector Leaders(Washington Post)  

The Guerillas’ Last Call (Washington Post)

We’ve had some technical difficulties today, hope to have some good stuff up tomorrow. Here’s today’s New Stand leading off with — what else? — Jeff Frederick’s fight to keep his chairmanship of the Republican Party of Virginia.

However, the story creating the buzz today is Michael Spencer’s view that Evangelical Christianity is coming to its end. Wow! It’s been picked up by some national media, including Christian news outlets. Read his commentary, linked at the end.

News:

McDonnell Gambles On Frederick (Washington Post Virginia Politics blog) 

McAuliffe reveals business plan for Va. (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Cranwell to seek second term as state Democratic party chairman  (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Opinion/Analysis:

The coming evangelical collapse (Christian Science Monitor)

Today I scooped the Communications Department by finding some articles of interest that must’ve scooted by him. They are included here as well as in the next few posts. All very interesting and full of intrigue — and controversy. Controversy is everywhere right now!

Not only is the Jeff Frederick controversy continuing to brew, seems Democrat gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran has lost a prominent endorsement. Or did he ever have it? See? Intraparty strife isn’t limited to the GOP. Then there’s the article from a national news organization, linked at the end, that picked up on the state police chaplain prayer — all together now — controversy.

GOP candidates for attorney general each claim the lead (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Moran Loses an Endorsement (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)  

More join call to oust Va. GOP chairman (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Senators join bid to oust GOP chairman (Washington Times)

Senate GOP Wants Jeff Frederick Removed (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)  

GOP delegates endorse McGuire’s House bid (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

York teacher announces candidacy (The Daily Press)

Road fixes top Va.’s suggestions wish list for stimulus (Norfolk Virginian Pilot)

Senate kills GOP’s D.C. vouchers bid (Washington Times)

The Genesis of a Debate (Washington Post)   

‘Jesus’ banned — so chaplain resigned (OneNewsNow)

Vote for your choice for Republican Party of Virginia chairman, which will be decided at the state party’s convention this coming weekend in Richmond. Voting ends at midnight Thursday.