Bedell In Running for Fairfax GOP Chair

GOP strategist Anthony Bedell appears well positioned to replace James E. Hyland as the next chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee.

Hyland, a possible candidate for the House of Delegates next year, is stepping down as county chairman after two years. Bedell has worked in support of numerous GOP candidates over the years, including former governor and senator George Allen, President Bush, and former delegate and state senator James K. O'Brien.

In 2001, Bedell took a job with the Bush administration. He worked as a senior legislative officer for the Labor Department until 2003, when he went to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Bedell now works in the private sector as a lobbyist.

"We must develop a 21st century party organization that helps our candidates get their message out," Bedell said in a statement announcing his candidacy. If elected by the committee next month, Bedell vows he will update the party's technology and fundraising and "play offense" with the Democrats.

There are no other known candidates in the race and Bedell has already been endorsed by Allen, O'Brien, Delegates Dave Albo and Tim Hugo, Springfield Supervisor Pat Herrity, Sully Supervisor Michael Frey, Mike Ginsberg, Chairman of the Eight Congressional District Republican Committee, Jim Rich, Chairman of the Tenth Congressional District Republican Committee, and Becky Stoeckel, Chairman of the Eleventh Congressional District Republican Committee GOP Chairman.