Former Marine Corps officer Courtney Lynch, of Fairfax City, announced Wednesday she has entered the race for U.S. Senate.
Lynch will face former Gov. Tim Kaine and Julien Modica, of Reston, in the Democratic primary in an attempt to fill the Senate seat held by Jim Webb who is not seeking reelection.
"Citizens of our great state and nation are frustrated with the direction the country is heading in. More of the same is not an option for voters," Lynch said in a press release. "Being a political insider is not high on the list of requirements to serve this nation. In fact, fresh faces with valuable ideas are in demand."
Lynch earned a law degree from William & Mary, and is the co-author of the book "Leading from the Front: No Excuse Leadership Tactics for Women."
The Fairfax City mother of three said she plans to run a campaign that focuses on fiscal responsibility and jobs creation, and has laid out an "action plan" called "Securing the Future, Restoring the Dream" on her website detailing her campaign.
"The race is ripe for a Democratic challenger with proven leadership experience to earn the respect of voters who want a new direction and a new kind of leader," Lynch said.
Lynch is entering a field of candidates dominated by two former governor's. In addition to Kain, Republican Gov. George Allen is seeking the GOP nomination to regain the Senate seat he lost in 2006 to Democrat Webb.
"Right now most media attention regarding the 2012 Senate race is focused on the frenzy of two political heavyweights slugging it out in the battleground state of Virginia," Lynch said.
Lynch's entry into the race brings the total field of candidates to replace Webb to eight.
Lynch, Kaine and Modica are vying for the Democratic nomination.
Allen, Tim Donner, E.W. Jackson, David McCormick and Jaime Radtke are seeking the GOP nomination.
Comments