The Eye

"I don't believe that the best solutions are going to come from government at all," he says. "We need to empower the private sector and entrepreneurs to develop innovative, common sense solutions to our challenges. I believe that government should be small, lean and efficient."

Taylor is seeking political office for the second time in as many election cycles. In November 2008 he was a candidate for mayor of Virginia Beach, the largest jurisdiction in the 2nd District. But he finished off the pace with 10 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race on what was technically a nonpartisan ballot.

The other Republican candidates in Virginia's 2nd include Scott Rigell, an auto dealership owner; Bert Mizusawa, a brigadier general in the Army Reserve; Ben Loyola, who owns an engineering service contracting firm; Chuck Smith, a lawyer and former chairman of Virginia Beach's Republican Party; and Ed Maulbeck, a defense contractor who, like Taylor, is a former Navy SEAL.

Rigell has the backing of former congresswoman Drake.

Nye's Republican opponent will be nominated next spring in either a primary election or at a congressional district convention. Parties in Virginia are allowed the option of choosing between these modes for nominating candidates.

CQ Politics at the moment rates the Virginia 2 race as Democrat Favored.

To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map