Updated: McGhee Enters Race for Delegate

Tim McGhee is the Republican candidate for the 45th House of Delegates seat, the GOP district chairman told Patch Thursday afternoon.

Heath Wells said three candidates submitted candidacy paperwork, but two withdrew because of family or work conflicts.

Since McGhee is the lone candidate, the Republican canvass scheduled for Thursday night is canceled.

McGhee in the 30th District state senate race last year. He claimed just over 35 percent of the vote.

“Virginia has weathered the challenges of the recession better than most states, thanks to the leadership of Governor Bob McDonnell and others,” McGhee wrote in his statement of candidacy released Thursday. “Serious fiscal challenges lie ahead at all levels of the government. We must continue to work for justice and fiscal responsibility.”

A web developer, McGhee moved to Northern Virginia in 1999 and has lived in North Old Town since 2004.

In a biography sent out Thursday by the Alexandria Republican City Committee, McGhee said he is an advocate for open government and would like to see the state house expand its efforts to open up the General Assembly to the people. 

McGhee said he believes that gas taxes should be indexed to the cost of gas to ensure a steady stream of funding for transportation improvement projects.

“The Virginia legislature is one of citizens. It is my intent to bring a listening ear, and the value of my experiences and principles to our efforts to uphold the Constitutions of both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America,” McGhee wrote in his statement of candidacy. “It is with great anticipation that I look forward to the conversation and the opportunity.”

His Democratic opponent in a special election scheduled for Sept. 4 will be either or . The Democrats will select their nominee in .

McGhee created some controversy during his state senate campaign, quoting scripture during his closing remarks at a October 2011 candidate forum hosted by the Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance.

A Democratic blog . Ebbin, who is openly gay, called McGhee’s remarks “offensive.”

McGhee told Patch at the time what he said was not meant as an attack.

“It was a personal view, and I was reaching out on my perspective of scripture and life,” he said, adding that he believes gay people are valuable and his “heart was broken” because he believed some “feel so hated.”

The opening in 45th District was created when Del. David Englin announced his resignation effective Aug. 31. Englin had to focus on his wife and family after admitting to have an extramarital affair. 

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