The first opponent of Republican Rep. Scott Taylor has announced his candidacy for Virginia’s second congressional district.
Democrat Dave Belote, a veteran and chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Party, announced on Wednesday he will run against Taylor in 2018.
“I’m running for Congress so that the people of Hampton Roads have a representative in Congress who will fight for their needs. For far too long, Richmond and Washington politicians have said one thing and done another,” Belote said in a press release. “My service to our country instilled in me servant leadership – a concept I intend to bring to D.C.”
Belote, who spent 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, is a Norfolk native. He attended Kempsville High School and, afterward, graduated from the University of Virginia.
During his time in the Air Force, Belote “flew F-111s and F-16s, led two combat deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom, commanded Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test and Training Range, the largest fighter base complex in the U.S., and received numerous accolades, including two Bronze Stars and two Legion of Merit awards” before retiring as a Colonel.
According to the release, Belote was a senior civilian executive in the Pentagon’s Department of Defense Siting Clearinghouse, which was created to “ensure military readiness while facilitating the development of energy infrastructure, sustainability, and security.”
Well-versed in entering uncertain situations, Belote put his preparedness skills to the test as a five-time Jeopardy champion in 2009. His run ended on Dec. 9 with a Final Jeopardy question about historical Americans. He answered the clue correctly — it was Thomas Jefferson — but did not place a winning wager.
“My moment of glory might be over, but I walked away with my head held high for being able to represent Nellis and the U.S. Air Force to the countries who air this show around the world,” Belote told a reporter after the loss. “I’ve heard from active and retired military who loved seeing the uniform on ‘America’s favorite game show.’ What a privilege to touch veterans from Korea and Vietnam onward while living out a dream.”
More recently, Belote started a clean-energy and defense consulting business after serving as the vice president for a wind and solar company.
“We must have a secure and prosperous future. This includes knowing where the next paycheck is coming from, knowing that one hospital stay won’t bankrupt our families, making sure Americans feel safe at home and abroad, and leaving a habitable Coastal Virginia where our children can raise their own families,” Belote said in the release. “I believe that public service is about bettering the everyday lives of people, not a stepping stone to the next elected position.”
The district includes all of the city of Virginia Beach and parts of the cities of Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News. It also encompasses Accomack, Northampton and York counties, the City of Williamsburg and parts of James City County.
This story was published in partnership with WYDaily’s sister publication, Southside Daily.
