Va. Republicans to choose challenger to Tim Kaine through primary

Virginia Republicans voted narrowly over the weekend to select their challenger to Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in 2018 through a state-run primary over a convention.

Members of the Republican Party of Virginia committee were divided, but ultimately voted for a primary process next year instead of a convention in a 45 to 35 vote on Saturday, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. 

Conventions typically give more influence to the more conservative wing of the party, while a primary will likely give more power to centrist voters. 

{mosads}Republicans have yet to declare a challenge against Kaine, but a handful of names are already circulating. The list of potential candidates includes former GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore and conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), who has a tough reelection race in 2018 for her Northern Virginia seat, has been floated as a potential contender.

Corey Stewart, an outspoken supporter of President Trump who lost a surprisingly close race in the GOP primary for Virginia governor earlier in June, also recently said he’s considering a Senate run.

Stewart, the chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, has been a vocal defender of Confederate monuments. His gubernatorial primary bid to the right of rival candidate Ed Gillespie came unexpectedly close to victory. Now he’s eyeing a potential Senate bid because he believes Kaine is “vulnerable.”

Whoever emerges from the primary will face a tough battle against Kaine, who was Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016.

Clinton won Virginia last year by a larger margin than former President Obama. Kaine has also been a prominent fixture in state politics, previously serving as governor and the mayor of Richmond.