Jody Wagner wins Va. lt. gov. primary

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Former state Finance Secretary Jody Wagner defeated Democratic campaign strategist A. Michael Signer on Tuesday to become the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.

Wagner will take on Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who is seeking a second term.

Wagner had 73 percent of the vote over Signer, who was making his first run for elected office, with 95 percent of precincts reporting.

"I look forward to the next five months to compare Bill Bolling's past years of getting in the way and our seven years of success," Wagner said when reached by phone on her way to a celebration in her hometown of Virginia Beach.

Wagner stressed her close work dealing with the financial crisis under the past two Democratic governors, as state treasurer under former Gov. Mark Warner and then as finance secretary for Gov. Tim Kaine. She told WAVY.com, "I think it was my seven years of experience with governors Warner and Kaine - all we accomplished for Virginia. And I think in turn [the voters] said let's give her a look for lieutenant governor."

Despite the economic struggles, Virginia was twice named the best-managed state. Three times it was named the best state in which to do business, and it was also named the best place to raise a child.

Wagner, 56, said her biggest challenge will be raising money to compete with Bolling, who already has more than $1 million ready for his campaign.

"We still have a long way to go," she said.

In a race that hadn't received a lot of attention, Wagner used her 3-to-1 fundraising advantage to run television ads featuring legislative leaders singing her praises while Signer relied mostly on telephone calls and mailings.

Most state and local elected Democrats supported Wagner, while Signer picked up endorsements from several unions.

Signer, 36, of Arlington, was a deputy counselor to Warner and a senior strategist for U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, who upset six-term congressman Virgil Goode Jr. last year.

If elected, Wagner said she would like to focus on creating jobs and education.

The job's only duties outlined in the Constitution are to preside over the 40-member Senate and to cast tie-breaking votes. Democrats currently outnumber Republicans 21-19 in the chamber.