Former member of the Virginia House of Delegates Tim Hugo announced Monday that he is officially entering the 2021 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election.
Hugo is the fourth Republican to enter the race and is the ninth person to announce their candidacy overall.
During an interview with The Virginia Star, Hugo said a big factor in his decision to run was the recent policies and actions of Democratic politicians in Virginia and Congress.
“Last year when we were all running, I said very candidly and directly, it’s not your grandad’s Democratic Party and they are going to take things too far to the left on business issues, social issues, taxes, police, and they really have,” Hugo said. “If you have seen what they have done this year in the General Assembly, in Washington [D.C.] , we just have to stand up and say enough is enough we are not going to take this anymore.”
More specifically, Hugo brought up the current state of sections in downtown Richmond, where many stores and businesses are boarded up and graffiti can be seen on almost every building after a turbulent summer of civil unrest.
Much like his 17 years serving in the House, Hugo plans to focus his campaign on conservative, right-wing ideals and issues.
“I think I’ve got a broad swath of issues to present to the voters and I [hope to] get the opportunity to serve, to help lead the Commonwealth on the issues I find important: transportation, taxes, jobs and families,” Hugo told The Star.
Hugo, a former member of the United States Army Reserve, also mentioned the protection of the 2nd Amendment was a mightily important topic, and expressed his desire to use the platform provided to the lieutenant governor to be vocal on issues and to help set the agenda.
“I’m a conservative that the business community likes and a business guy the conservatives like that happens to be from Fairfax County,” Hugo added. “There’s also issues that I’ve focused on that are outside of conservative business issues [like child prostitution and autism].”
Hugo spoke highly of the three Republicans currently running for governor, two being Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) and Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), and of fellow Republican lieutenant governor candidate Del. Glenn Davis (R-Virginia Beach), yet he remains confident in his ability to win.
“I will do very well in a primary [election], and I look forward to that,” Hugo said. “If we have a spirited competition, let’s have that discussion. Let’s see who is more conservative, let’s see who has the ability to relate to Republicans around the state and let’s see who has the ability to be the best ticket mate for November 2021. I think that would be me.”
Other Republican candidates running for lieutenant governor include businessman Puneet Ahluwalia and veteran Lance Allen.
Even though the official announcement has been made, Hugo is currently putting more attention to the current elections, and the next three weeks, trying to help Virginia Republicans and President Trump secure victories, instead of worrying about his own campaign.
After the November general elections, Hugo said he plans to travel throughout the state talking to voters and hosting events in all corners of the Commonwealth.
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Jacob Taylor is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Follow Jacob on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tim Hugo” by Tim Hugo.
