Glenn Nye Gets Nice Show of Support from House Majority Whip James Clyburn

NEWPORT NEWS, VA., DAILY PRESS

Glenn Nye Gets Nice Show of Support From House Majority Whip James Clyburn

By Kimball Payne

House Majority Whip James Clyburn was in Norfolk Tuesday morning for a prayer breakfast with local pastors and state lawmakers to show his support for Glenn Nye.

Nye is running in his first political race aiming to unseat incumbent Rep. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk. Drake has been targeted by Democrats in previous races, but managed to fend off challenges thanks to the district's Republican leanings.

But political insiders are expecting this race to be a close one because of the political climate and Clyburn said that insiders should keep their eyes on Hampton Roads and Nye.

"We think he's a great candidate. His profile fits this area very, very well," Clyburn said. "I've been kind of tuned into him for a while now."

Clyburn said a local friend of his with roots in his home state of South Carolina tipped him off about Nye's potential.

"I saw the possibilities were good here," Clyburn said.

Clyburn also said that he expects an annoucement from the Democratic National Campaign Committee in the next few days about the kind of commitment that Nye can expect as he works to raise enough money to mount a serious general election campaign.

"He's on the list as a priority," Clyburn said. The announcement "is going to be very, very positive for him."