The political fallout from planning commissioner Gary Friedman's decision to drop out of the Democratic primary for Prince William Board of County Supervisors chairman is rather simple to surmise: Woodbridge eye doctor Babur Lateef now has time to raise money while attention turns to the contested Republican primary.

Friedman's withdrawal does come with one potential drawback for Lateef, however, in that his "earned media" exposure will likely fall during the next couple of months. So-called "earned media" is the political terminology for journalists mentioning candidates in stories. "Paid media," by contrast, includes television, radio and print advertisements run by the candidates.

Logical exceptions for Lateef will come for when fundraising reports come out and rebuttals are needed by reporters when statements about the general election or policy proposals come out from independent candidate John Gray or either candidate in the Republican primary: county chairman Corey Stewart (R) and Haymarket Town Council member Bob Weir.

However, without a contested challenger, attention will inevitably draw more toward Stewart's policy moves as chairman of the county in preparation for the Republican primary or the general election as he is the heavy favorite to win the GOP contest.

Without any competition though, there is an opportunity for Lateef to hunker down on fundraising instead of retail politicking, which will allow him to purchase advertisements in what is a relatively expensive media market.

"Now, my fundraising will really determine where I can compete," said Lateef last week during a phone interview as he discussed the ramifications of Friedman's exit on his own race.

Lateef mentioned that the endorsement Friedman gave him could help in the traditional Republican stronghold of western Prince William as that is Friedman's home base. The planning commissioner, who was nominated to his position by Stewart after Stewart won a special election for chairman in 2006, ran for Gainesville District supervisor in 1999 and 2003, so he has an established presence in that community.

Stewart will be relying heavily on western Prince William turnout in order to win as the eastern part of the county, including his home base of Lake Ridge, tends to provide more Democratic votes than the western half.

According to Lateef, there are pockets of independents and moderate Republicans "that are willing to listen" to candidates other than just those who identify as conservatives.

With that in mind, he said that Democrats tend to "concede" western Prince William. That statement is not entirely accurate, though it does have some truth.

For example, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th) traveled to the western end dozens of times over the course of his first term in Congress, including during the general election. That helped him squeak out a 981-vote victory over Keith Fimian (R) last year in an anti-Democratic incumbent election season.

President Obama's 2008 campaign opened a campaign office in Gainesville en route to winning the county and state delegate candidate John Bell had an office on Route 55 between Haymarket and Gainesville in 2009. However, Bell lost the area badly against incumbent Del. Bob Marshall (R-13th), in large part because of the staggering margins which Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) won the western precincts at the top of the ticket, suggesting poor Democratic turnout and strong independent support for Republican candidates.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic nominee for governor in 2009, stopped by the Town of Haymarket for less than an hour on a Sunday morning and did not reappear in western Prince William for the rest of the race. He took no questions from the media and went on to Fairfax County afterward.

Two years prior to that, Democrats fielded no candidate against Brentsville District supervisor Wally Covington (R) or endorsed a candidate for School Board in the same magisterial district. In fact, School Board chairman Milt Johns, who was endorsed by the county's Republican committee, won an uncontested county-wide race. Democrats are struggling to recruit a candidate this year for sheriff too as they did in 2007.

In those cases, Babur's analysis is correct and that's where Friedman can come in handy for him. The three-time candidate for county office who last lost a special election convention for the Democratic nominee for chairman in 2006, has established contacts of potential Democratic voters during the in last 12 years.

Also, Democrats have a candidate running for Gainesville District supervisor in Carl Genthner, which means he'll have a partner to help drive Democratic turnout. That does not necessarily mean it will work -- former county attorney Sharon Pandak (D) lost to Stewart despite having fellow Democrat Corey Riley running for Gainesville District supervisor. The Republican nominee will also likely have incumbent supervisor John Stirrup (R) driving out his own voters throughout western Prince William because of the contested localized race.

What Lateef's Democratic allies do mean though is that Lateef will have a plethora of local knowledge to tap into about western Prince William through Democrats that have previously run for office. Even the county Democratic committee chairman, Bruce Roemmelt, lives near Bull Run Mountain.

As of last Tuesday, Lateef had not formerly made plans to consult Friedman in person.

"I actually welcome his support and I welcome the fact that I get to sit down with him and get his advice and counsel about the issues that are important," said Lateef. "Once I meet him and sit down with him, I hope to fine some common ground where I hope to be attractive to his supporters.

"And, frankly, I think his knowledge of the county and his issues are good," added Lateef. "I feel like it's to my advantage."