Geary says he’s running for Henrico prosecutor’s job

Election day maneuvering is getting into full swing in Henrico County -- for November 2011.

Former Richmond prosecutor Matthew P. Geary acknowledged today that he plans to run for commonwealth's attorney in Henrico, an announcement that comes more than two years before the term expires of longtime incumbent Wade A. Kizer.

Both men will be running as Republicans, they said today.

"When people ask me why it's important that I get into this now, I say that's how important this job is," Geary said this morning before a court appearance in Henrico Circuit Court. He said he has begun collecting campaign donations.

Geary, 38, left his position as chief deputy in the Richmond commonwealth's attorney's office in April to join a private practice, Chucker & Reibach. The firm specializes in defense work in DUI cases.

He had been chief deputy under Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Michael A. Herring since January 2006.

Kizer, 54, said this afternoon he is running for re-election and will emphasize the experience of his staff and his 29 years as a prosecutor, almost all of that time in Henrico.

Kizer was appointed commonwealth's attorney in May 2000 to fill the unexpired term of then-incumbent Toby Vick. He has been unopposed for re-election since he won a Republican primary victory in July 2000.

-- Bill McKelway