Former Republican senator John Chichester is backing Democrat Sen. Toddy Puller for reelection next month.

Puller faces Republican Jeff Frederick in the 36th state Senate district, which includes parts of Prince William, Fairfax and Stafford counties.

Puller recently posted Chichester’s endorsement on her web page.

“We need more senators like Toddy Puller,” Chichester wrote. ” She is fair, has integrity, listens and has no agenda except to represent the people of Virginia in the best way possible. During my service in the Senate, Senator Puller did not approach issues as a Republican or a Democrat but considered what would work best for the people of Virginia. She carefully considers the facts about the issues and works to keep the state fiscally strong by ensuring Virginia is able to provide the core services government is tasked to do.”

Chichester was senator of the 28th Senate District – covering Fredericksburg down through the Northern Neck — for nearly 30 years, and for a time was one of the most powerful senators in Richmond, serving as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and as president pro tem of the Senate.

His endorsement of a Democrat should come as little surprise; Chichester never had much patience for the more right-leaning members of his own party, preferring instead those he viewed as more moderate and pragmatic, especially when it came to the long-term tending of state fiscal needs. He also endorsed Sen. Creigh Deeds during the 2009 governor’s race, and has donated money to Democrat Sen. Edd Houck in this year’s 17th Senate District race.

Frederick first won a House of Delegates seat in 2003 by opposing a tax package that Chichester had supported. Chichester was one of several Republican legislators who supported that tax package to face primary challenges that year; he won his race easily, but Frederick was one of the challengers and beat then-Del. Jack Rollison.