Large GOP Field Lines up to Take on Do Nothing Rep. Glenn Nye

As many readers know, I strongly advocated for Glenn Nye during the 2008 election cycle over Republican Thelma Drake because Nye campaign much like Obama and promised change and also made many positive overtures to the local LGBT community. Unfortunately, since being elected, Nye has been a mini-Obama and failed to vote much differently that Thelma Drake would have without being as accessible as Thelma. It has been most disappointing. Apparently, the local GOP has emboldened by the November 2009 GOP sweep of state wide races and is looking to unseat Nye. With a large field of contenders to challenge Nye, the current leading contenders is Scott Rigell, an auto dealership owner who had very strong Christianist ties back in the years I was in the GOP. Frankly, unless Nye begins to give Democrats a reason to support him other than the fact that he's not a Republican, his reelection campaign may be a reprise of Creigh Deeds' disastrous debacle. Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot:

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At least six Republicans - smelling blood from the party's November victories - are fighting one another to challenge U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye in November. The large field is igniting an internal debate about how the party should pick its candidate: a traditional primary or a canvass? Although much of the discussion is procedural, the outcome will affect when and where voters go to the polls.
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A primary would happen June 8, with voters going to their normal polling places. A canvass would be on a Saturday in May at limited polling places with limited hours determined by party officials. . . . Of the six Republican candidates, Scott Rigell, owner of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach, has emerged as the front-runner, measured by money and big-name supporters. Ben Loyola, who owns an engineering company, also has significant cash.
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Democrats are hoping the number of Republican candidates will lead to infighting that could weaken the eventual nominee and force that person to spend more money. "When you run six people, voters have to separate and then come back together again," said Sandra Brandt, the Democrats' 2nd District chairwoman. "It will narrow support down."
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Oh, and ,I do live in Nye's district now and he needs to do something to convince me to give him his vote. He's batting zero currently.