Del. Scott Taylor, R-Virginia Beach, a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2nd Congressional District met with voters from Williamsburg and James City County late Thursday afternoon.
Both parties were new to their roles.
Not only was Taylor, a former Navy Seal, Iraq War veteran and author, a new candidate but the voters he met with were new to the 2nd District. Greater Williamsburg was moved from the 1st to the 2nd District in a court-ordered redistricting last year.
Bill Mutell, a member of the James City County Republican Committee, said voters didn’t have any choice about losing former Congressman Rob Wittman, R-1st.
“There wasn’t anything we could do about that. It was out of our hands,” he said at the Taylor meet-and-greet at the Brickhouse Tavern on Scotland Street. “What we have to do now is deal with the situation and find the best representative we can.”
Mutell said he’s not committed to any candidate at this point.
“No, I’m here to meet him [Taylor],” he said.
He said he’s already met Taylor’s opponent in the June Republican primary, incumbent Rep. Randy Forbes, R-4th.
As a result of the court-ordered redistricting, Forbes’ district became much more Democratic, adding the cities of Richmond and Petersburg.
When incumbent 2nd District Congressman Scott Rigell decided against seeking another term, Forbes decided to run in the 2nd, a decision that Taylor is harshly critical of, both in his campaign literature and in person.
“I just fundamentally disagree with what he’s done,” Taylor said Thursday. “Leaving you people to save yourself. I respect him, but I don’t respect his actions.”
Forbes will not be moving from his Chesapeake home into the 2nd District. Congressmen are not required to live in the districts they represent.
“I just think that’s wrong,” Taylor said. “I think he could have won his district and he should have run in his district.”
Asked about the redistricting, Taylor said it’s not that simple.
“It cuts both ways, there was gerrymandering that went on to get him elected there in the first place,” ‘he said.
About 15 voters turned out to share pizza with the candidate Thursday.
