Independent-Minded Candidate 
Has GOP Leanings

By NICOLE CASAL
News-Record Staff Writer

Bradley Pollack worked on former Democratic Gov. Douglas Wilder’s staff.

Now he’s running as an Independent for the 15th District seat in the state House of Delegates.

And apparently, he would consider accepting the Republican nomination next term for the post he’s now seeking as a non-partisan.

In a personalized letter to the wife of an active member of the Shenandoah County Republican Party, dated Oct. 24, Pollack wrote, "In two years, you should be able to convince a worthy person, possibly even myself, to accept the Republican nomination."

When questioned about the letter, Pollack was unflinching, saying he’s written others like it and that everyone knows his views lean Republican.

Pollack doesn’t see himself as a chameleon, but more of a human being whose views have evolved over the years.

Years after working under a Democratic governor, Pollack lost an independent bid in 1999 for Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney. He is still independent, and while he stressed he’s never been a member of the GOP, "I share a vast majority of views with Republicans," Pollack said.

He decided to run for state office in August because he disagreed with a judge’s decision in one of his cases. But at that point, incumbent Del. Allen Louderback, R-Luray, had already secured the Republican nomination, otherwise, Pollack said, he may have considered asking for it.

So he ran as an independent.

Still, he says his Republican leanings are common knowledge. "That’s not news," he said.

While his independence might be by default, he touts it in the television ad he’s running now.

"I am an independent candidate," he says in the ad. "I owe no allegiance to anyone but you."

Louderback’s camp says Pollack has been pledging allegiance to anyone who will listen.

"He’ll go where the opportunity is," Louderback said.

The verbal banter is the most recent in what has been a vicious campaign for the 15th District seat, which serves the counties of Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock and the Swift Run precinct of Rockingham County.

Mudslinging aside, both candidates said Tuesday in interviews they don’t think the car-tax reduction can continue in the current economy. Louderback pointed out that the triggers in the legislation could prevent that from happening. Pollack said simply that it wouldn’t be a good idea in the current economy.

Both candidates said the budget will be the biggest issue in next year’s General Assembly session. Last year’s General Assembly couldn’t agree on budget amendments, so none were passed. That meant teachers, police and other state workers did not get raises.

If elected, Louderback said, he would continue his crusade to raise teacher salaries in rural counties by getting the state to chip in more money.

When asked what he would do once elected, Pollack said, "to get into too many issues blinds the voter with too much information."

Pollack says voting him into office would "send a message" that voters don’t like the current political situation.