Yeah, this is state level politics.
True but it is another symptom of the disease of cronyism which affects the GOP in Virginia (and elsewhere). It was the GOP-e cronyism in Virginia that made sure that Mitt's two biggest rivals weren't on the ballot. The GOP-e doesn't want a fair race if their candidate isn't going to win. This is nothing more than an attempt to make sure a Tea-Party candidate can't get in.