BY WESLEY P. HESTER

U.S. Senate candidate George Allen has pledged to “oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.”

Allen, seeking to recapture his former Senate seat after losing it to Jim Webb in 2006, has joined the list of more than 500 lawmakers and candidates to signs Americans for Prosperity’s “No Climate Tax Pledge.”

“It is unacceptable to use climate change legislation as a poorly disguised attempt to raise taxes on hardworking Americans,” Allen said in a statement. “Disastrous legislation like the cap-and-trade scheme would artificially increase the costs of energy, and therefore harm employers, destroy jobs, increase costs on consumers and tighten already-shrinking family budgets.”

Other Virginians to sign the pledge include: U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor; U.S. Reps. Scott Rigell, Robert Hurt, and Morgan Griffith; Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling; and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

Allen faces tea party activist Jamie Radtke and Hampton Roads attorney David McCormick for the Republican nomination. Other Republicans, including Prince William Board of County Supervisors Corey Stewart and state Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, have hinted that they may also enter the race. 

Democrats have no candidate thus far since Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., announced recently that he would not seek reelection. Much pressure has been placed on Democratic National Committee Chairman Timothy M. Kaine to run, though he has not yet decided.