Wadhams to Manage Allen's Senate Campaign
Dick Wadhams, the chief of staff for Sen. George Allen (R-VA) will take a leave of absence from Allen's congressional office to manage his tougher-than-expected re-election campaign in Virginia.
He'll start on 4/10.
Allen faces Democrats Harris Miller (D), a lobbyist, and James Webb, a former Republican and Navy Secretary. Both challengers are expected to raise millions. Allen defeated ex-VA Gov. Charles Robb (D) in 2000.
Wadhams, touted as "Karl Rove's Heir Apparent" by too many publications to list, is a tough and experienced veteran of Senate races. He ran now-Sen. John Thune's successful bid to kick out Sen. Tom Daschle. Before that, he rescued Sen. Wayne Allard in CO. Wadhams joined Allen shortly after the '04 election to much fanfare about his political prowess.
He replaced Allen's long-time chief of staff Jay Timmons, now at the National Association of Manufacturers.
Also in Allen's inner circle: ex-RNC chairman Ed Gillespie, who is his PAC treasurer, and Chris LaCivita, Allen's top nuts-and-bolts strategist.
Jason Miller, who was tending Allen's campaign, left late last year to manage SC Gov. Mark Sanford's re-election.
No word yet on Wadhams's temporary replacement.
On Call readers might be interested in this letter the DSCC sent to the White House today suggesting George Allen succeed Josh Bolten as the head of the Office of Management and Budget.
http://www.fromtheroots.org/story/2006/3/28/12451/0166#readmore
was he bored with the Senate?
Actually, George Allen defeated Senator Robb by only 124,367 votes (with only 52.3% of the vote)
http://www.sbe.state.va.us/web_docs/election/results/2000/nov/nov2000/