Hampton Roads Leaders Endorse Wagner (Washington Post)

Several mayors and other local elected officials from Hampton Roads today endorsed former Finance Secretary Jody W. Wagner for lieutenant governor.

“Local governments across Virginia are facing tough times in this economic climate,” Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said. “We need strong leaders in Richmond who can maintain the fiscal discipline and strong management we’ve grown accustomed to under Governors Warner and Kaine. Jody Wagner will be that kind of leader.”

Wagner, a long time resident of Virginia Beach, served as Virginia treasurer under former governor Mark R. Warner (D) and as finance secretary under Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). She resigned earlier this year to run for lieutenant governor.

Jody's Op-Ed: Use prudence to stimulate state's economy (Virginian Pilot)

AS THE WORLD focused on the fiscal crisis on Wall Street, Virginians recently learned that the commonwealth had not escaped the ripple effect of the national crisis. Virginia is facing a budget shortfall that could reach $3 billion over the next two years, according to official estimates.

As the former secretary of finance for the Kaine administration, I know the challenges of budget forecasting. We invest a lot of time working with elected officials of both parties, economists and business leaders, sorting through data to try to accurately predict the state’s revenues, so the governor can put together a realistic budget.

It’s not easy to forecast the future. But no one — Democrat or Republican, economist or business leader — foresaw a $3 billion shortfall.

Facebook Opens New Political Chapter

Facebook is just getting a toehold in Virginia politics. Jody Wagner, a Virginia Beach Democrat, set up a page recently to attract supporters in her bid for lieutenant governor. She has 238 so far, including one young activist who welcomed her to Facebook with the warning, “It can be pretty addicting.”