Last year, the moderate wing of Virginia’s GOP swung to the left.
Twenty Republican delegates voted with the Democrats to pass Obamacare’s Medicaid Expansion — the largest expansion of government in Virginia’s history.
Now, a county supervisor just announced he’s running to replace one of these moderates in the House of Delegates.
Scott Wyatt Announces Run to Oust Chris Peace
Wednesday, Hanover County Supervisor Scott Wyatt declared his candidacy against Delegate Chris Peace.
As a Republican, Wyatt will be facing Peace in a nomination contest this Spring.
The winner of that contest will run as the Republican nominee in the General Election.
Speaking on why he’s running, Wyatt stated Peace’s vote for Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion “has outraged this conservative community.”
Later in his statement, Wyatt explained that he believes “the private sector can create a thriving economy and will take a pro-business approach of lower taxes and less regulation”.
Wyatt’s announcement follows a flurry of conservative frustration with Delegate Peace.
Related: Chris Peace Just Made the One Move That has the Tea Party Fuming
Shortly after Peace’s vote for the Democrat’s agenda, conservative activists began taking action.
One activist group even erected a series of signs sporting the phrase “THE PEACE BETRAYAL”.
But, although Wyatt has announced his candidacy early this year, his isn’t the first that will result in a Republican nomination contest.
GOP Moderates Face Heat From Grassroots Activists
Paul Milde has already declared his candidacy against Bob Thomas.
Milde is another Republican looking to replace his delegate for voting with the Democrats.
“It is not possible to be a conservative and support Obamacare” Milde explained.
Thomas later announced his bid for re-election, with the Republican primary to be held on June 11th.
Speaking on his campaign, Thomas stated: “I will work hard to represent our shared values in Richmond.”
In Lynchburg, Delegate Scott Garrett is also facing grassroots pressure.
One of the sources of the attacks, Virginia Families PAC (VFPAC), was founded in the aftermath of the Medicaid expansion vote.
To date, VFPAC has funded several attacks against Garrett, including a ‘lit drop’ operation in downtown Lynchburg.
“Our teams distributed over 1,000 pieces of literature this weekend” VFPAC stated, “It’s clear, voters are tired of failed promises and our tax dollars continually going to Planned Parenthood.”
So far, however, no Republican challenger has emerged.
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