Mediaboss Marketing

The Nelson County distiller running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and his firebrand anti-tax, anti-regulation and anti-establishment message found a warm audience with the Lynchburg Tea Party on Thursday evening.

Denver Riggleman, also a former Air Force intelligence officer, related his biography Thursday evening to about 40 people at Lynchburg Public Library, highlighting his path through manual labor, military service and following his wifes dream to build Silverback Distillery in Nelson County.

Riggleman was the last Republican to officially enter the race, although he publically mulled jumping in for several weeks. He faces longtime national GOP strategist Ed Gillespie, state Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, and Prince William County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart.

The other three candidates are better known and are backed by donors with deeper pockets, he said, referring to them as establishment candidates.

Im running against guys, three guys with 70 years of combined political experience, Riggleman said. I have zero. I think that puts me 70 points in front of them.

Riggleman, whose campaign touts itself as a Whiskey Rebellion, recounted specific regulations and taxes he considers cumbersome that are involved in building or operating the distillery.

His political ambitions grew out of wrestling with the beer, wine and restaurant industry starting during the 2016 General Assembly, he said, as well as eminent domain issues involving the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

His speech targeted the intersection of money, influence, law and politics, including the lobbyist community that holds significant sway in Richmond.

The system of fees, taxes and regulations has been built over years, he said.

Just give me an equal playing field. Put me in a cage with these other guys and let me fight. Thats what I want, Riggleman said, referring to his business.

A few people who had not yet decided who they will support in the June 13 Republican primary said after the meeting they like that Riggleman didnt sound like a politician, comparing him to President Donald Trump, who crashed the Republican primary last year.

Theres another Trump in the air, said Shirley Lilly, of Lynchburg. Someone thats outspoken against the establishment, because weve had more than enough; we just need to search for more honesty.

Riggleman did not overtly tout the Trump comparison Thursday. Stewart, a onetime Trump Virginia state campaign co-chairman, has tried to take that mantle himself.

While some Lynchburg Tea Party members had not made up their minds regarding the gubernatorial primary, Edward Olivares, of Monroe, came supporting Gillespie. Although Olivares said he liked Rigglemans personality and message, he left still supporting Gillespie, the purported frontrunner, for practical reasons.

I know Gillespie. Ive met him. I respect him for the work he did when he was chairman for the Republican Party. He did a hell of a good job, so Ill vote him, Olivares said. Hes the only one who has a chance of beating the Democrat.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and former 5th Congressional District Rep. Tom Perriello are running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.

The Lynchburg Tea Party is not endorsing any candidates at this time, according to President Karen Angulo. She has reached out to all Republican gubernatorial candidates but hasnt been able to schedule the other three. Democratic candidates would be welcome, too, she said.

While Rigglemans campaign has found Tea Party groups to be receptive, theyre hoping to build a broader coalition of activists and civic groups, said Riggleman Political Director Josiah Tillett, also a Bedford County planning commissioner.

Were not like a tunnel-vision Tea Party, Tillett said. We have a very, very broad spectrum. We think our coalition can be broader than that because Denvers a free-thinking candidate, and we think well have more of a reach than that.

Continue reading here:
Lynchburg Tea Party warms to Riggleman - Lynchburg News and Advance