Wednesday afternoon, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim will announce his support for Brian Moran for governor. The significance of this endorsement isn’t lost on me.
First, it comes from a man some considered gubernatorial material himself. Recall, if you will, this article from 2006.
[Political analyst Larry J.] Sabato, a Norfolk native and director of the Center For Politics at the University of Virginia, said Democrats around the state are quietly talking about Fraim as a successor to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine in 2009.
Rather than capitalize on those talks, Fraim has remained true to what he said at the time:
“I don’t know where those rumors are coming from,” Fraim said. “Honestly, what I’m looking forward to is being the best mayor possible. That’s the focus of 100 percent of my attention. I have no other political office in mind.”
Of course, if the rumors are true – that Fraim won’t seek re-election in 2010 – a run for governor in 2013 remains a possibility.
The article also points to another reason why I consider this to be a significant endorsement:
[Governor Tim] Kaine and Fraim are close friends
I wouldn’t be surprised one iota if Kaine and Fraim have discussed this endorsement. I suspect this is about as close as any of the gubernatorial candidates will get to a Kaine endorsement.
Congratulations, Brian!
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
They can raise taxes together!
It is beginning to look like this battle within the Party is going to take a very regionalistic one in the coming months between Moran and Deeds.