Warner, Gilmore plan area stops

By Bob Stuart

Published: July 3, 2008

Campaign season is heating up and it’s not even Labor Day yet.
The two candidates for Virginia’s soon to be open U.S. Senate seat will visit the area over the next couple of weeks in preparation for the November election.
Former Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore is scheduled to make a stop in Waynesboro at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Reo Distribution as part of his two-day Working Families Tour.
Earlier in the afternoon, Gilmore will appear in Staunton at Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant at 3:15 p.m.
His tour will stretch from Winchester to Bristol early next week.
At 3 p.m. July 17, former Democratic Gov. Mark Warner is scheduled to appear under the marquee of the Dixie Theater as part of a fundraiser for the Staunton Performing Arts Center.
Warner has a wide lead in campaign funds over Gilmore, and is ahead in the polls.
While Warner is campaigning in Northern Virginia this weekend, his stops to date have focused on smaller areas in the commonwealth.
Gilmore squeaked out enough delegates to win the Republican nomination at the state convention in Richmond in May, narrowly defeating Del. Bob Marshall.
The candidates were expected to cross paths this weekend during holiday parades in Northern Virginia, Warner spokesman Kevin Hall said.
In recent days, Gilmore has discussed a strategy to combat the energy crisis by drilling for oil in Virginia’s offshore waters.
Those campaigning for Gilmore have stressed that he followed through on plans to eliminate Virginia’s car tax, while Warner raised the state sales tax while governor.
Warner has garnered endorsements from current and former law enforcement leaders in the commonwealth.
The law enforcement leaders supporting Warner include former superintendent of the Virginia State Police, Col. Gerald Massengill.