Saxman’s political future could hinge on next week

Del. Chris Saxman will spend the final days of the presidential race accompanying former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee across Southwest Virginia and likely joining Republican nominee John McCain on a last-minute weekend tour of the Old Dominion.

If McCain wins, Saxman’s next stop could be Washington. The four-term delegate from Staunton who is McCain’s campaign co-chairman in Virginia, said there has been some discussion of a position in a McCain administration.

“Nothing of substance and depth has been discussed. There have been fleeting 30-second mentions of it,’’ he said.

Would he consider a job?  Saxman said it would be difficult to say no to a president asking for his service.

If he doesn’t, Saxman is expected to run for re-election in House District 20 next year and perhaps position himself for a U.S. Senate run in four years against Democrat Jim Webb.

A year ago, Saxman decided against a Republican bid for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Warner. He made his decision after talking to family and supporters, citing the amount of effort it would take to mount a campaign.

When the tide turned against McCain early this year, Saxman, who got behind the Arizona senator early, was philosophical. He looked at McCain’s life and courage as a P.O.W.

“You look at the brutality of campaigns, but compared to what this guy lived through over five and a half years, this is nothing,’’ he said in February. “I’m not surprised. I’m pleased and gratified.”

During a brief interview this week before his departure for Southwest Virginia, Saxman said he believed McCain would still win Virginia despite being behind Barack Obama in the most recent polls.

James Madison University political scientist Bob Roberts said Saxman’s service in a McCain administration would help with his political future.

“If he worked in the McCain administration he could contest Jim Webb in four years,’’ Roberts said.

A job with McCain administration would give Saxman a broader resume and more exposure, Roberts said.

Saxman, 43, is known as a fiscal conservative who has been involved with the legislature’s Cost Cutting Caucus.

For now, Saxman is focused on next week’s presidential election and the upcoming 2009 General Assembly.

“I’m busy drafting legislation for the General Assembly,’’ he said.

Saxman said his philosophy is “do the work today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.”