Editorial: Wagner for lt. governor (Roanoke Times)

We can understand why Bolling, who declined to meet with our editorial board, went on the attack. We can think of nothing he has done since trading in his state Senate seat to suggest he should keep his current job.

Wagner, though, has positives to talk about.

Her role, for instance, in working with House and Senate conferees this year to get a deal on Kaine’s higher education bond package, which included money to build the Virginia Tech Carilion Medical School in Roanoke.

Wagner has a detailed knowledge of the state budget and a realistic grasp of Virginia’s needs for economic development, education and transportation. As lieutenant governor, she says, she’d put her energy into working with lawmakers to push forward on these fronts.

Jody Wagner for lieutenant governor (Washington Post Endorsement)

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Smart, tough-minded and capable, Ms. Wagner would be among the best-prepared public officials to assume the job. A former corporate lawyer, she started a successful family business (making kettle corn) before going to work for then-Gov. Mark R. Warner (D). Then, as Mr. Kaine’s finance secretary – she resigned this year to launch her campaign – she developed an authoritative command of state government, spending and income, critical knowledge for the challenges posed by the recession.

Unlike the usual run of officeholders in Richmond, she is more pragmatist and problem-solver than partisan political warrior. As the only one of the six statewide candidates to have had hands-on experience with the state’s budget, she would be uniquely well placed to serve as a resource for whichever candidate is elected governor.

Beach's Sessoms jumps party lines for Wagner (Virginian-Pilot)

He always votes Republican, Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms said this morning, and he’ll do so again this November.

With one exception.

When it comes to the lieutenant governor’s race, Sessoms said, he’ll pull the lever for his friend and associate of 25 years, local attorney and businesswoman Jody Wagner, a Democrat.