This morning on The John Fredericks Radio Show, Sen. Tom Garrett (R-Buckingham) indicated there is an effort underway to replace the head of their caucus.
I do hope there will be a leadership change in the caucus. I respect @TommyNorment but he has too much power-@TomGarrettVA22 #JFRS
— John Fredericks (@jfradioshow) November 9, 2015
The Bull Elephant has independently confirmed with several members of the Senate Republican Caucus that a number of younger, more conservative Senators believe the time has come for new leadership. Two names are mentioned as possible replacements for Norment. The name we’ve heard most often is Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin), but also mentioned (now that he’s announced he is not going to run for Governor) is Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg).
The chief complaint about the need for new leadership is that Norment is largely out of touch with the current generation of Senate Republicans. Norment came up with the likes of Russ Potts, Emmett Hanger, John Chichester, Walter Stosch, and John Watkins. These are Senators who are widely unpopular among Virginia conservatives for their penchant to give Senate Democrats a majority on key votes even when the chamber has more members with an ‘R’ after their name. Of these, all but Hanger have retired and been (or will be) replaced with more conservative Senators, swinging the caucus in a new direction.
Though Norment has largely adapted to the changing makeup of the caucus, several conservative members believe he comes up short on leadership and fundraising, and that certain personal indiscretions (this one among others) and potential conflicts of interest leave the caucus vulnerable. As we understand it, Norment is being asked to not run again so as to avoid a bruising intraparty fight.
To date, Garrett is the only member willing to publicly call for Norment to step aside. Garrett believes that Norment should still have a senior role as the Senate’s most powerful committee chairman:
Everyone in the Senate wants what's best for VA. The finance chairman is a tough job and that's enough power for one man.-@TomGarrettVA22
— John Fredericks (@jfradioshow) November 9, 2015
Perhaps Garrett’s courage here will inspire others to be more candid.
As they say, more to come. Stay tuned.
