We now have four candidates running for Governor. Nelson county distiller Denver Riggleman has filed to run.
Riggleman is a former Air Force intelligence officer who now owns and operates Silverback Distillery near Charlottesville. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of Trump and Dave Brat, a candidate who is against government regulations and taxes. From the Washington Post:
They “are just the beginning of the revolution,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “I think you’re going to see more people who say: ‘I think I can do a better job. Not only I think I can — I know I can.’ ”
I’ve never wanted to be governor, and maybe that’s why I’m right for the job,” he said. “I have no political aspirations after I run as governor.”
A native of Manassas, Riggleman went to UVA where he majored in international affairs. After 11 years as an Air Force intelligence officer he started his own defense contracting business before opening his distillery.
The other candidates in the race are Ed Gillespie who lost a very close race for Senate in 2014, Corey Stewart who is chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Prince William county and recently one of Trump’s co-chairs in Virginia, prior to his firing, and senator Frank Wagner (R-Virginia Beach).
Corey Stewart commented on Riggleman’s entry into the race for Governor:
I’ve learned long ago in campaigning that you have to be focused on your own game, your own work,” he said Tuesday. “If you get caught up in what everybody else is doing that’s when you get into trouble.”
In a statement Gillespie said:
“By all accounts, Denver Riggleman is a good man who is concerned about the size and scope of government just like I am, I appreciate his military service, and if he decides he wants to serve our Commonwealth as governor, I will respect that as well and welcome him to the race. Competition is good for our party.”
As of now LG Ralph Northam is the only Democrat running for Governor.
More here.
