Pledge to delay announcement aside, Cox sounds more and more like a candidate for governor
Former House speaker from Colonial Heights says he is focused on 2020 national election, but he continues to fuel speculation that he is in the race for the GOP nomination in 2021
Bill Atkinson
Even though he has not officially entered the race and vows he will not make his intentions known until after the November election, Del. Kirk Cox of Colonial Heights is sounding more and more like a candidate for governor in 2021.
In a radio interview Thursday afternoon with former GOP delegate Chris Saxman, Cox all but formally declared his candidacy, saying there was an "urgency" for Republicans to retake the governor's mansion and he felt that with three decades of experience in the House, he has a record of getting things done.
"I'm passionate that things need to change, and no one will outwork me," he said.
He also noted that he was the only Republican to win re-election to the House last year from a district that was redrawn to essentially make it more Democratic friendly.
Cox, a former speaker of the House, sought in the interview to distance himself from the only declared GOP candidate, Chesterfield state Sen. Amanda F. Chase.
Since launching her campaign in February, Chase has positioned herself as an unapologetic, voracious champion for a return to traditional conservative causes in Virginia. She routinely attacks Democrats as promoters of socialism and anti-justice, and aligns herself with President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" political philosophy.
Related:Chase on Cox: 'Nice guys don't win in 2021'
Related:Cox answers Chase's claim of 'nice guys' not winning governor's campaign: 'Guilty as charged'
Related:Former House Speaker Cox is eyeing a run for governor in 2021
Related:Chase is first up for GOP governor nomination
In response to a question from Saxman about how he differs from Chase, Cox said he thinks the next governor needs to be a hybrid of true believer and compromise when necessary.
"I want to be a fighter, there's no question about that, and I think I have done that," Cox said. "But I think people are looking for a combination of fighter and someone who actually can work across the aisle and get it done."
Cox said he has made more than 450 calls to Republican operatives across the state to gauge input on a potential run.
Before the radio interview, a spokesman for Cox reiterated in an email to The Progress-Index that Cox intends to hold fast to his pledge that he will announce his intentions after the November election.
"Delegate Cox is continuing to focus on helping our candidates win in 2020 and serving the citizens of the 66th District," his chief of staff, Zachary Wood, said in the email.
Cox has been in the House of Delegates since 1990. He is a retired high-school government teacher.
If Cox enters the race, he joins a field with more potential than declared candidates. So far, Chase is the only announced candidate, but aside from Cox, other names being touted are state Sen. Emmett W. Hanger Jr. of Augusta County and former state Sen. Bill Carrico of Grayson County.
On the Democratic side, three have announced intentions to seek the nomination — Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax, state Sen. Jennifer McClellan of Richmond and Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy of Prince William County.. McClellan and Carroll Foy are natives of Petersburg.
Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who preceded current Gov. Ralph S. Northam, is also expected to announce a run.
You can reach Bill Atkinson at batkinson@progress-index.com. Follow him at @BAtkinson_PI. Follow The Progress-Index on Twitter at @ProgressIndex.
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