Winchester Star - GOP's Comstock Opens Campaign Office In City

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Rep. Frank Wolf, R-10th, helped open the Winchester campaign office of his protege, Barbara Comstock, on Thursday night.

Wolf has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years, but decided not to seek re-election on Nov. 4.

Comstock, who represents the 34th District in the Virginia House of Delegates, has highlighted her ties to Wolf throughout her bid to be his successor. She first volunteered for his campaign 30 years ago, and went to work in his office in the early 1990s.

She will face Democrat John Foust, a member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, as well as Libertarian Bill Redpath, Independent candidate Brad Eickholt and Independent Green candidate Dianne Blais on Election Day.

"She will do an outstanding job for this region," Wolf said to the dozens of people gathered Thursday at her campaign office at 17 W. Boscawen St.

Wolf said when Comstock is presented with a problem, she works for a solution. He has worked on the issue of human trafficking.

"Barbara picked that issue up and single-handedly pushed that issue in a bipartisan way to make sure the state of Virginia has the best laws, frankly, in the country," Wolf said.

Twenty-seventh District Sen. Jill Vogel, R-Upperville, also spoke at the opening.

"I'm inspired everywhere I go around Virginia and, in particular, around this district because people are paying attention and they're engaged," she said. "It feels different than other elections -- a whole lot more energy, a whole lot more passion, and frankly, a whole lot more concern.

"The retirement of such an extraordinary member of Congress…is a jarring thing."

Comstock told the crowd she had "fallen in love with this area already."

"I'm so excited about the privilege of being able to work for you," she said. "Believe me, I know what huge shoes I have to fill here…What we want to do in this district is follow in the tradition of Frank Wolf."

Comstock said she worked on getting a child tax credit while working in Wolf's office. First it was $500, and it's now $1,000.

"It needs to be at least $2,000," she said. "That's one of the first bills that I want to introduce."

She also wants to work on "kitchen table" issues, such as jobs, affordable energy, and building a strong military.

Comstock will continue to look to Wolf for guidance, she said.

"I will be following the expert on human rights issues, and really depend on his voice and his leadership for years to come," she said.

Former Frederick County Commonwealth's Attorney Larry Ambrogi attended the opening.

"I was impressed with the turnout," he said. "[Comstock's] great. She's an outstanding, good candidate, seems to be very knowledgeable, well-spoken, very personable."

Winchester resident Dick Crane was also impressed with Comstock.

"I think Barbara is the right person," he said. "She has lots of energy and has the knowledge and the experience. I expect great things."

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