Del. Chris Saxman May Challenge Gilmore

Del. Christopher B. Saxman (R-Staunton) said today he is "strongly considering" challenging former governor James S. Gilmore III for the GOP nomination for Senate.

In an interview, Saxman said the party "needs new leadership" and "new blood." Saxman said he's been hearing from a lot of Repubicans who say the GOP needs to find a Senate candidate other than Gilmore who can reach out to independents and voters in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia.

Over the past week, Saxman has been meeting with several of his Republican colleagues in the House about making the race. He says he's also been in discussions with White House and national GOP officials.

Saxman, who had been angling to run for lieutenant governor in 2009, says he expects to make up his mind in a few weeks.

"I just think people want to break out of the direction that the party has been going in and make changes," said Saxman, 42.