Scott Rigell U.S. Congress

Rigell is the only candidate in the 2^nd Congressional District

to qualify for their top candidate program

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Local businessman and entrepreneur Scott Rigell, Republican candidate for United States Congress in Virginia’s 2^nd Congressional District, has advanced to “Contender” status in the National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) prestigious Young Guns program for its top Republican challengers in the nation. Rigell was listed as “On the Radar” by the NRCC in October 2009 after he was one of a handful of candidates across the country to outraise an incumbent in total individual contributions. Rigell recently announced that he has more cash on hand than all of his Republican rivals combined. Following a six hundred person campaign kick-off, countless local endorsements, a grassroots operation second to none, and the release of Rigell’s impressive 4^th quarter fundraising results, the NRCC advanced Rigell in the Young Guns program by naming him as a “Contender.”

“Scott Rigell has already proven that he will be a formidable candidate by meeting the Young Guns program’s rigorous goals and is well on his way to building a winning campaign to put this seat back in the Republican column,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. “Scott is part of a strong and growing candidate pool of everyday Americans who are frustrated with the majority’s big-government ways and aren’t willing to stand idly by any longer.”

The Young Guns program is the official NRCC program dedicated to promoting and electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide. No other candidate in the 2^nd Congressional District has reached the necessary benchmarks to be included in the Young Guns program. All steps of the program have specific benchmarks for successful campaign structure and fundraising ability.

Scott Rigell released the following statement on Thursday:

“Our message about getting America back on the right track with new, proven leadership is resonating with the American people. They are appalled by what is going on in Washington, and they support our conservative message of accountability in government, reigning in federal spending, and energy independence, as well as lower taxes and less regulation to create jobs. My campaign values the incredible local support we’ve received on all levels, from local school board members, to members of the General Assembly, to local unit Chairmen, to our incredible group of high school volunteers. I am pleased the NRCC recognizes that our campaign has the broad support and resources necessary to defeat our Democratic freshman incumbent Representative Glenn Nye.”

Scott Rigell, 49, has a proven, 25 year track record of job creation, entrepreneurship and community leadership. The founder and Chairman of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach, Scott served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years. Scott earned his B.B.A. from Mercer University and an M.B.A. from Regent University in Virginia Beach, where he and his wife, Teri, reside. For more information on Scott Rigell, visit him online at www.ScottRigell.com or join his Facebook site at www.facebook.com/scottrigell. You can also contact the Campaign Manager, Jason Miyares at (757) 679-5143 or Jason@ScottRigell.com.

Party Drafts Political Newcomers as Candidates in a Bid to Capitalize on Voters' Anti-Incumbent, Anti-Washington Mood

By SUSAN DAVIS

Scott Rigell is best known around Virginia Beach as a car dealer. Come January, he is hoping to be known by another title: congressman.

Seeking to tap into growing anti-establishment discord among voters, the Republican Party is actively seeking candidates who have never before held elected office.

Bruce O'Donoghue owns a company that makes traffic-light systems; he is challenging Florida Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson. Jon Runyan, a former player for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers, is running in southern New Jersey.

"My roots run deep in Tennessee, not politics," reads the banner across the campaign Web site of Stephen Fincher, a Tennessee farmer and gospel singer heavily wooed by Washington Republicans to run this year.

Such Republicans are contesting six of the 20 most competitive House seats currently held by Democrats. At least as many are found in districts that could become more competitive as election season heats up. Filing deadlines to run for Congress are still months away in most states, so it is possible more newcomers could join the fold.

Running political newcomers is a proven strategy when the political tide swings drastically toward one side, and at times when voters have soured on Washington in general. In 1994, when Republicans won a majority of House seats after four decades in the minority, 55% of the party's 73 freshmen lawmakers had never held political office. Similarly in 2006, when Democrats took control, 45% of their new lawmakers had never held office before.

Chris Russell, campaign consultant for Mr. Runyan, called 2010 a good year to be running as an outsider. "I don't want to overstate it, but people hate politicians," he said.

The strategy could help Republicans tap into enthusiasm generated among Tea Party groups and other conservatives. Though these activists have sprung from the right, they remain antagonistic toward the GOP establishment. The movement arose in part as a backlash against the government's intervention in Wall Street and the auto industry, as well as opposition to Democratic initiatives, including a health-care overhaul.

This year, running newcomers is "absolutely the story of Republican recruiting," said David Wasserman, a House race analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Cook currently predicts the GOP will gain between 25 and 35 House seats this fall, and doesn't rule out the more distant possibility of a Republican takeover, which would require a net gain of 40 seats.

Mr. Wasserman predicted a significant number of freshmen GOP lawmakers this November would be political newcomers. Many are running on a platform of fiscal rectitude, a nod to how the economy and role of government are dominating public debate. "We really are at a defining moment," Mr. Rigell said in an interview, during which he echoed a theme of economic uncertainty voiced by other candidates. "I look at the fiscal side of this country and I am alarmed and deeply troubled."

Unlike the 1994 setback, which caught the Democrats by surprise, the party is keenly aware of the political headwinds they face in the midterms, when the president's party typically loses seats.

The House Democrats' campaign operation has a significant cash advantage over its Republican counterpart: $16.6 million to $2.7 million. And incumbents are fund-raising in anticipation of competitive contests. Florida's Mr. Grayson said Wednesday that his $861,000 fourth-quarter haul was more than any other Democratic candidate's.

Many of these newcomers will also have to survive primary elections. Mr. O'Donoghue is favored by party leaders—he expects to be endorsed by Florida's retiring Republican Sen. Mel Martinez this week—but a crowded 12-way primary awaits.

Moreover, voters aren't necessarily ready to embrace Republicans, despite GOP victories in governor's races last year in Virginia and New Jersey and an upset win in last month's Massachusetts U.S. Senate race. Those victories relied on independent voters, not party loyalists.

A January Wall Street Journal/NBC poll showed 42% of Americans held a negative view of the Republican Party and 30% held a positive one. "The Republican brand is damaged," Mr. Rigell said. "I have to overcome that."

There are early signals that voters are willing to welcome new blood. In an Illinois Republican primary on Tuesday, pest-management company manager Bob Dold upset the initial party favorite, State Rep. Beth Coulson. Mr. Dold now faces Dan Seals, the Democrats' unsuccessful 2006 and 2008 nominee, in what could be one of the most competitive contests this year.

Several rookie candidates said they hope their bids will capture the enthusiasm of activists, in particular Tea Party voters.

Mike Grimm, a former undercover agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated white-collar crime on Wall Street, is running in the New York district held by Democratic Rep. Mike McMahon. He said the district, in the New York City borough of Staten Island, has one of the most active Tea Party groups in the nation. While the group doesn't endorse candidates, Mr. Grimm seeks counsel from local Tea Party leader Frank Santarpia. "I pick his brain all the time," Mr. Grimm said.

Mr. Santarpia said he likes the idea of newcomers running for Congress. "There's a great deal of appeal to that. It certainly appeals to me," he said.

Write to Susan Davis at susan.davis@wsj.com

Another six figure fundraising quarter for Scott Rigell creates unmatched momentum and more cash on hand than his five Republican rivals combined 

Rigell has raised over $660,000 since start of his candidacy

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Local businessman and entrepreneur Scott Rigell, Republican candidate for Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, announced today that he raised a total of over $225,000 in the last quarter of fundraising, reconfirming his status as one of the top Republican challengers in the nation and released the following statement:

“I continue to be humbled by the breadth and depth of support I have received from the people of the 2nd District.  People recognize that our region is not being well-represented in Congress and that we need tested, proven leadership in these difficult times.  I’m proud to say that roughly 80% of the individual donors to my campaign are hard-working residents of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore, which shows the extensive local community support for my campaign.  It is a sign of our campaign’s message of job growth, fiscal responsibility, and energy independence that we’ve raised more money than all five of our opponents for the Republican nomination combined.”

Scott Rigell reported raising $660,000 since formally filing as a candidate on July 8, 2009.  Almost 400 people have contributed to his campaign to defeat the freshman incumbent.  With more than $500,000 cash on hand, which is also more than all of his Republican opponents combined, Rigell is the undisputed fundraising leader and clear frontrunner to win the Republican nomination.

“The amount of money raised in a community is just one demonstration of the amount of support a candidate has in the community.  Our finance numbers, coupled with the unbelievable grassroots support for Scott Rigell, means we are prepared to bring an end to the era of One-Party rule in Washington,” remarked Jason Miyares, Campaign Manager for Scott Rigell for Congress. “Scott Rigell’s business background, common-sense conservative values, and belief in holding Washington accountable for their irresponsible spending has created a surge of support for his candidacy,” said Miyares.  “The majority of Scott’s money was raised from individual donors who know Scott and have worked with him for the past few decades as he has invested in the community and run his business.  They want someone they trust – someone that knows how to create jobs and keep taxes and regulation low - to represent Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore working families in Congress.”

Since the start of his campaign in July, Scott Rigell has outraised Glenn Nye from individual contributors by $340,000 to $219,000 and has had over a hundred more individual contributors.  Rigell again raised well over six figures from individual contributors for the reporting period covering October 1 through December 31, 2009, with a total of $113,784.   He also matched the support of his donors with $100,000 of his personal money for a total of $213,784 raised during the quarter.  By comparison, Democratic freshman incumbent Representative Glenn Nye raised $192,912.49 for the same quarter, with 45% of Nye’s money coming from political action committees (PACs).    

Scott Rigell, 49, has a proven, 25 year track record of job creation, entrepreneurship and community leadership. The founder and Chairman of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach, Scott served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years.  Scott earned his B.B.A. from Mercer University and an M.B.A. from Regent University in Virginia Beach, where he and his wife, Teri, reside.  For more information on Scott Rigell, visit him online at www.ScottRigell.com or join his Facebook site at www.facebook.com/scottrigell.  You can also contact the Campaign Manager, Jason Miyares at (757) 679-5143 or Jason@ScottRigell.com. 

Scott Rigell holds Freshman Congressman Glenn Nye accountable for failure to lead on local defense issues, energy independence, and Nye’s lack of judgment in foreign policy.  

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:  Scott Rigell, Republican candidate in Virginia’s Second Congressional District, issued his sharpest criticism of Democratic freshman incumbent Glenn Nye’s lack of leadership in the United States Congress regarding the carrier move to Florida, off-shore energy exploration, and his judgment in foreign policy affecting the security of the citizens of Israel.

Rigell released the following statement on Monday:

“The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) issued today announced that the Navy will move a Hampton Roads – based aircraft carrier to Mayport, Florida.  The move will mean the loss of 11,000 local jobs and $650 million in annual economic activity in the region.  This is a devastating loss for hard working families and small businesses in our communities.   

Moving an aircraft carrier to Florida has been on the table for years.  Yet our freshman incumbent has been completely ineffective and largely silent on the issue, waiting a full year after he took office, and just days before the QDR was published, to form a commission to coordinate our region’s response to Florida’s relentless efforts to move our military assets and commands.  Even Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim noted that the action Nye took in coordinating the region’s response was long overdue.”  

Rigell also held the freshman congressman accountable for his failure to lead on off-shore energy exploration.  Governor Bob McDonnell, along with both Democratic Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner have urged Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar not to delay the lease-sale off the Virginia coast; however, Congressman Nye, in typical fashion, has been largely silent on the issue.  Rigell stated:

“Once again our freshman incumbent has failed to lead and, again, it is the hard working families of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore who pay the price for his uncertainty and inexperience.  Instead of leading, Nye is, at best, following. 

He has failed to share a clear and compelling vision for our region and our nation.  The challenges before us are of such magnitude that we cannot afford to stay on this path of on-the-job training for our freshman congressman.   We owe it to ourselves and the next generation of Americans to be well represented and humbly served by a person who has a demonstrated, verifiable track record of leadership and job creation.” 

Rigell further held Congressman Nye accountable for not supporting Israel.  The freshman congressman was one of 54 Democratic representatives to call upon Israel in a signed letter to lift travel restrictions in Gaza.  Innocent Israeli citizens have been the target of over 8,600 rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas terrorists, and in an act of self-defense, Israel restricted travel access from Gaza into Israel in order to curb the importation of illegal Qassam rockets by the terrorist organization Hamas. In December 2008, Hamas ended a ceasefire with Israel and has since fired thousands of rockets into Israel, including the cities of Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beersheba.  Rigell visited Sderot in January of 2010. 

 Rigell also issued the following statement today:

“Having just returned from a fact-finding visit to Israel, where I met with senior Israel leadership and saw firsthand the rockets that have terrorized the city of Sderot and neighboring cities in the south of Israel, I am stunned by our freshman congressman’s decision to sign this letter.  By signing the letter and aligning himself with the most liberal members of our Congress, including John Conyer, Jim McGovern and Barbara Lee, Congressman Nye seems more concerned about the rights of Hamas than innocent Israeli citizens.  Our freshman congressman fails to fully understand that Hamas is an organization that openly calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and has used Israel’s voluntary withdrawal from Gaza to turn schools into terrorist bases, homes into rocket launch pads, and market places into battlefields.  The travel restrictions on Gaza are reasonable given Israel’s right, indeed its duty, to protect its citizens.  Our freshman congressman has made clear that he has a naïve world view and a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and scope of the threat posed by Hamas to the citizens of our ally, Israel.”

 

Scott Rigell, 49, has a proven, 25 year track record of job creation, entrepreneurship and community leadership. The founder and Chairman of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach, Scott served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years.  Scott earned his B.B.A. from Mercer University and an M.B.A. from Regent University in Virginia Beach, where he and his wife, Teri, reside.  For more information on Scott Rigell, visit him online at www.ScottRigell.com or join his Facebook site at www.facebook.com/scottrigell.  You can also contact the Campaign Manager, Jason Miyares at (757) 679-5143 or Jason@ScottRigell.com.  

Scott Rigell holds Freshman Congressman Glenn Nye accountable for failure to lead on local defense issues, energy independence, and Nye’s lack of judgment in foreign policy.  

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA:  Scott Rigell, Republican candidate in Virginia’s Second Congressional District, issued his sharpest criticism of Democratic freshman incumbent Glenn Nye’s lack of leadership in the United States Congress regarding the carrier move to Florida, off-shore energy exploration, and his judgment in foreign policy affecting the security of the citizens of Israel.

Rigell released the following statement on Monday:

“The Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) issued today announced that the Navy will move a Hampton Roads – based aircraft carrier to Mayport, Florida.  The move will mean the loss of 11,000 local jobs and $650 million in annual economic activity in the region.  This is a devastating loss for hard working families and small businesses in our communities.   

Moving an aircraft carrier to Florida has been on the table for years.  Yet our freshman incumbent has been completely ineffective and largely silent on the issue, waiting a full year after he took office, and just days before the QDR was published, to form a commission to coordinate our region’s response to Florida’s relentless efforts to move our military assets and commands.  Even Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim noted that the action Nye took in coordinating the region’s response was long overdue.”  

Rigell also held the freshman congressman accountable for his failure to lead on off-shore energy exploration.  Governor Bob McDonnell, along with both Democratic Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner have urged Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar not to delay the lease-sale off the Virginia coast; however, Congressman Nye, in typical fashion, has been largely silent on the issue.  Rigell stated:

“Once again our freshman incumbent has failed to lead and, again, it is the hard working families of Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore who pay the price for his uncertainty and inexperience.  Instead of leading, Nye is, at best, following. 

He has failed to share a clear and compelling vision for our region and our nation.  The challenges before us are of such magnitude that we cannot afford to stay on this path of on-the-job training for our freshman congressman.   We owe it to ourselves and the next generation of Americans to be well represented and humbly served by a person who has a demonstrated, verifiable track record of leadership and job creation.” 

Rigell further held Congressman Nye accountable for not supporting Israel.  The freshman congressman was one of 54 Democratic representatives to call upon Israel in a signed letter to lift travel restrictions in Gaza.  Innocent Israeli citizens have been the target of over 8,600 rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas terrorists, and in an act of self-defense, Israel restricted travel access from Gaza into Israel in order to curb the importation of illegal Qassam rockets by the terrorist organization Hamas. In December 2008, Hamas ended a ceasefire with Israel and has since fired thousands of rockets into Israel, including the cities of Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beersheba.  Rigell visited Sderot in January of 2010. 

 Rigell also issued the following statement today:

“Having just returned from a fact-finding visit to Israel, where I met with senior Israel leadership and saw firsthand the rockets that have terrorized the city of Sderot and neighboring cities in the south of Israel, I am stunned by our freshman congressman’s decision to sign this letter.  By signing the letter and aligning himself with the most liberal members of our Congress, including John Conyer, Jim McGovern and Barbara Lee, Congressman Nye seems more concerned about the rights of Hamas than innocent Israeli citizens.  Our freshman congressman fails to fully understand that Hamas is an organization that openly calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and has used Israel’s voluntary withdrawal from Gaza to turn schools into terrorist bases, homes into rocket launch pads, and market places into battlefields.  The travel restrictions on Gaza are reasonable given Israel’s right, indeed its duty, to protect its citizens.  Our freshman congressman has made clear that he has a naïve world view and a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and scope of the threat posed by Hamas to the citizens of our ally, Israel.”

 

Scott Rigell, 49, has a proven, 25 year track record of job creation, entrepreneurship and community leadership. The founder and Chairman of Freedom Automotive in Virginia Beach, Scott served his country in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for six years.  Scott earned his B.B.A. from Mercer University and an M.B.A. from Regent University in Virginia Beach, where he and his wife, Teri, reside.  For more information on Scott Rigell, visit him online at www.ScottRigell.com or join his Facebook site at www.facebook.com/scottrigell.  You can also contact the Campaign Manager, Jason Miyares at (757) 679-5143 or Jason@ScottRigell.com.