The new congressman from Virginia’s 2nd District is Republican Scott Rigell, a car dealer who knocked off Democratic freshman Glenn Nye in 2010. Rigell hails from Titusville, Fla., near the Kennedy Space Center, where his father worked as an engineer and director of NASA’s launch-vehicle operations. His mother drove a school bus. Rigell earned his undergraduate degree from Mercer University in Georgia, and shortly afterward, returned to Titusville to work at a Ford dealership run by his father-in-law. He also enrolled in business school at Regent University, a private Christian college founded by televangelist Pat Robertson. After getting a master’s degree in business administration, Rigell purchased Freedom Automotive in 1991. Soon afterward, he met Bob McDonnell, now the Republican governor of Virginia, on the showroom floor of his auto dealership, and the two became friends. Over the years, Rigell helped McDonnell in his campaigns and contributed to other Republican candidates. He also gave $1,000 to Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008, which conservatives cited as proof that he is too moderate for the district. Read More

The new congressman from Virginia’s 2nd District is Republican Scott Rigell, a car dealer who knocked off Democratic freshman Glenn Nye in 2010. Rigell hails from Titusville, Fla., near the Kennedy Space Center, where his father worked as an engineer and director of NASA’s launch-vehicle operations. His mother drove a school bus. Rigell earned his undergraduate degree from Mercer University in Georgia, and shortly afterward, returned to Titusville to work at a Ford dealership run by his father-in-law. He also enrolled in business school at Regent University, a private Christian college founded by televangelist Pat Robertson. After getting a master’s degree in business administration, Rigell purchased Freedom Automotive in 1991. Soon afterward, he met Bob McDonnell, now the Republican governor of Virginia, on the showroom floor of his auto dealership, and the two became friends. Over the years, Rigell helped McDonnell in his campaigns and contributed to other Republican candidates. He also gave $1,000 to Democrat Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008, which conservatives cited as proof that he is too moderate for the district.

When he decided to challenge Nye, Rigell had to compete against five other candidates in the GOP primary. He ran as the establishment candidate, with the most cash, in a field that included Iraq war veteran Bert Mizusawa and engineering contractor Ben Loyola, the local tea party favorite. Though McDonnell remained neutral in the race, his politically active daughter, Jeanine, ran an ad for Rigell calling him a “longtime friend” of the family. Rigell won with 40% of the vote.

In the general election, Rigell pledged to adhere to a 12-year term limit and to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for everyone, even the wealthiest taxpayers. He also hammered Nye for supporting the Obama administration’s $787 billion economic-stimulus plan. Nye said he, too, favored extending the tax cuts for everyone, and he won the endorsement of the conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which called him a “pro-business” Democrat. Rigell raised more money on the campaign trail and maintained a slight lead in the polls. He rode the 2010 Republican wave to victory with 53% of the vote to 42% for Nye.

In Washington, Rigell landed a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, a high value position in a district with several military bases. He also was assigned to the Homeland Security Committee. His first official act was to unveil a 10-point proposal for scaling back congressional perks that he said have fostered “a culture of privilege.” His plan included cutting congressional office budgets to 2008 levels, limiting franked mail to two pieces a year, replacing lawmakers’ pensions with 401(k) plans, banning travel paid for by lobbyists for foundations, and prohibiting lawmakers and their staffs from working as lobbyists for five years after leaving their government employment. Even if Congress declined to adopt his proposal, Rigell said he would abide by its provisions himself.