The conservative group Citizens United is endorsing Virginia Del. Barbara Comstock (R) in her competitive primary to succeed Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), giving her a potential boost with the GOP base.
{mosads}Comstock, the establishment favorite, is facing off against Virginia state Sen. Dick Black (R) in the primary, and a number of other Republicans are considering a bid as well. Black has a history of making controversial comments on social issues, and many Republicans want to keep him from the nomination lest he risk control of the GOP-leaning Northern Virginia seat.
Citizens United President David Bossie says despite the group’s past support for both Comstock and Black, she is the better candidate for this race.
“While we have supported both Dick Black and Barbara Comstock in their state legislative races in the past, we are supporting Barbara Comstock in her congressional run because she is the future of the conservative movement and a proven winner in tough elections,” he said in a statement.
“I have been on the front lines with Barbara fighting for the conservative cause for many years and I know that she will work tirelessly for the people of Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. 2014 is a very important year, and with conservatives like Barbara Comstock running for Congress, America will be in good hands.”
Citizens United also donated $10,000 to her campaign — $5,000 each to her primary and general election, the maximum allowed under law for the political action committee.
The group is not a major player on the spending side, but its backing often serves as a marker for conservative donors and could help boost Comstock’s reputation with conservatives. Democrats are hopeful they can pick off the slightly Republican-leaning district now that Wolf is retiring.
Comstock is a former Wolf staffer with long-time ties to both movement conservatives and establishment Republicans in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Those connections are paying off early in this race with endorsements from across the party. Both Mitt Romney, who she campaigned hard for, and conservative radio host Mark Levin have endorsed her campaign so far.