Ken Odor
Republican Senate candidate Jim Gilmore (above), and his Democratic opponent Mark Warner (below) greet voters at Saturday’s tomato festival.

Senate candidates work the tomato festival
By Ken Odor

Jul 08, 2008

Hanover’s annual Tomato Festival usually draws a crowd, this year estimated at 34,000.

And where there’s a crowd, and it’s an election year, candidates usually turn up.

That was the case Saturday, when two former governors arrived to shake hands and meet potential voters.

In a race that many observers feel favors his opponent, former Republican governor Jim Gilmore arrived first, taking part in the opening ceremonies.

“Vote for me and I’m going to win,” Gilmore told one couple who greeted him.

Past elections bode well for him, at least in Hanover County, where George Allen, although losing to Jim Webb in the 2006 Senate race, took Hanover by a two to one margin.

“I know what the problem is people are facing now - it’s high gas prices,” said Gilmore.

What should the government do?

“They should drill for oil. We’ve got to drill in ANWAR,” said Gilmore, referring to the off-limitsarea on Alaska’s north coast.

Gilmore also said he favored offshore drilling and increased use of nuclear energy and clean coal, plus conservation efforts.

Gilmore called Hanover, where he defeated Don Beyer for governor in 1997, taking 70 percent of the vote, a critical county for his campaign.

“I want to continue to get out and see people in Hanover,” he said.

Former Democratic governor Mark Warner arrived a little before 1 p.m, greeted by a group of supporters.

Warner is on record as opposing drilling in the controversial Alaskan oil field.

Warner did say he favors drilling off the shore of will Virginia.

“That oil is five or 10 years away,” said Warner. “It’s not going to provide immediate relief.”

Warner touted new battery technology that he said could give consumers 100 mpg cars in the near future, and said he favors a $5,000 tax credit for purchasers of such vehicles.

Warner said he hoped to do better in this election in Hanover than he did when he beat Mark Earley for governor, but lost Hanover by a six to four margin.

“Now I’ve got a record,” said Warner, when asked about the prospects for picking up votes in the county.

“I’m anxious to make the case,” he said, asking voters to contrast his record as governor with Gilmore’s, and noting his endorsement by former Senate Republican leader John Chichester and Del. Vince Callahan.

Ken Odor
Republican Senate candidate Jim Gilmore (above), and his Democratic opponent Mark Warner (below) greet voters at Saturday’s tomato festival.

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