Kaine taps Beach lawyer to head post (David Ashe)

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=100003&ran=61602&zr=1

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RICHMOND - Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has selected Virginia Beach Democrat David Ashe to head an agency that oversees small business counseling and workforce training, according to a government source. Ashe has accepted a job as director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, according to the source, who asked not to be identified to avoid preempting a formal announcement expected today.

The agency employs about 45 people and has an annual budget of $13 million.

Earlier this month, Ashe pulled out of a race for the 2nd District congressional seat, saying he had been offered a state government appointment. He declined to identify his new job at the time. Ashe, a lawyer and Marine veteran who served in Iraq, did not return telephone calls Tuesday afternoon.

Ashe's career change leaves Philip Kellam, the Beach's commissioner of the revenue, as the only Democrat preparing a challenge to incumbent U.S. Rep. Thelma Drake, a Republican. Ashe ran against Drake unsuccessfully two years ago. Local party officials had been preparing for a party to choose their nominee.

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[Vadem]

1. That's wonderful! Go David! We were working for you in your

campaign! Good luck in the Kaine administration! This gives me hope that Tim is a true progressive!