Chances are you have never heard of Susan Stimpson. Chances are you aren't even thinking about the race for Lt. Governor. Chances are it will be a while before you do.
Those facts are the case for almost all of the very crowded field of potential candidates, but that is not stopping them from hitting the trail, trying to make a name for themselves as early as they possibly can.
Stimpson came by the NBC12 studios recently and outlined for me her plan to stand out from the crowd. The conservative republican chair of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, Stimpson doesn't have the same extensive political background as some of her opponents, but that may server her well.
Stimpson is a mother of two and the wife of a retired Marine pilot and Naval Academy graduate. She met her husband Dan during her senior year at Mary Washington University.
In addition to her bachelor's degree from Mary Washington, Ms. Stimpson also has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of West Florida.
In a lengthy chat, Stimpson touted her success cutting taxes and spending and ending up with a surplus in Stafford. She prides herself on her socially conservative stance on hot button issues and believes she has a unique set of skills that would serve her well as a statewide candidate.
It won't be easy. Stimpson will have to build grassroots support at next spring's convention in order to gain her party's nomination. It will mean out strategizing veteran political hands like Prince William County Supervisors Chair Corey Stewart, Chesterfield State Senator Steve Martin, Prince William Delegate Scott Lingamfelter and former legislator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, the wife of former Rep. Tom Davis. VA Victory Chairman and Fox News contributor Pete Snyder is widely expected to make a run, but has yet to officially announce his plans.Virginia Beach Delegate Jeff McWaters is also still in the mix.
On the democratic side, former Obama senior staffer Aneesh Chopra has announced his plans to run. Norfolk State Senator Ralph Northam is also weighing a bid.
Stimpson believes that in a convention anything can happen and she is willing to take her chances.
Here is an extended clip from our interview with Stimpson:
