RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A former federal prosecutor with no experience in Virginia politics plans to run for lieutenant governor in 2017. Gene Rossi, a Democrat, recently told the Washington Post that he plans to make a formal campaign announcement later this month. Rossi worked for 27 years at the Justice Department and said if elected he would focus on sentencing reform and helping former prisoners. The lieutenant governor is a largely ceremonial position that is often a stepping stone to running for governor. Other potential contenders for the Democratic nomination are Justin Fairfax, also a former federal prosecutor, and Del. Eileen Filler-Corn. State Sens. Bryce Reeves and Jill Vogel, as well as Del. Glenn Davis, are vying for the Republican nomination.
