It is a very crowded field and one of the rumored candidates just took a job that put him in the living rooms of a key constituencies on a regular basis.
Pete Snyder, a close ally of Gov. Bob McDonnell and a wealthy entrepreneur has started a new position as a contributor to Fox News Channel. Snyder will appear on the network's programs giving commentary from a conservative perspective.
Snyder, who is relatively unknown to most Virginia GOP primary voters, has gotten a bit of a name recognition boost by serving as the Chair of the 2012 Virginia Victory effort. The group coordinates republican campaign efforts between all the different races in the Commonwealth.
The businessman begs off questions about his potential campaign for Lt. Governor, but those close to him say he is seriously considering a run.
If he does run he will face some stiff competition. Among those in or considering a run, Prince William County Supervisors Chair Corey Stewart, Chesterfield State Senator Steve Martin, Prince William Delegate Scott Lingamfelter, Virginia Beach Senator Jeff McWaters and Former State Senator Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis who is the wife of former congressman Tom Davis.
Snyder is incredibly connected and has the ability to raise quite a bit of money. It won't hurt that he will also appear regularly on the station republicans love most, Fox News Channel.
The democratic field is also a bit unsettled. Aneesh Chopra, the former White House Chief Technology Officer has announced his plans to run. Ward Armstrong the former democratic House leader is mulling a statewide bid, but he may be eyeing the Attorney General's office. Former Rep. Tom Perriello told me last week, he has no plan to run for anything in the near future.
