Here is the latest message from 97th LDC Chairman, Tom Miller:
“I’ve spent many years attending Republican conventions. I’ve chaired a lot of mass meetings. I’ve been on the Rules Committee at many state conventions you have probably been to. I’ve been to lots of primaries and a few rallies, too. I can tell the difference. If anyone is confused today, you’re at the 97th District House Republican Convention.” – Senator David Suetterlein (R-Roanoke County), Keynote Address, 4 May 2019.
By a
weighted vote of 87% to 13%, the 97th House Republican Legislative District
Committee today rescinded and revoked the Call for the June 1 Party Canvass.
With that action, the Canvass (or firehouse primary) scheduled for Saturday is
cancelled.
That vote was one of eight motions, all approved
by weighted votes of 87% to 13%, approved by the 97th LDC at its meeting in
Mechanicsville this morning. In addition to cancelling the Canvass, the
Committee passed motions to:
- Take up the Appeal of Scott Wyatt for consideration;
- Uphold the Appeal and find in favor of the Appellant, Scott Wyatt;
- Acknowledge and accept the May 20 decision of the 1st Congressional District Republican Committee, and take whatever actions necessary to comply;
- Disband the Committee on Arrangements for the June 1 Canvass;
- Disavow any expenses incurred as a result of the June 1 Canvass;
- Affirm that Scott Wyatt is the Republican nominee for Delegate in the 97th District; and
- Cancel the LDC meeting originally set for June 5.
At our last meeting on May 18, we heard the Appeal of Scott Wyatt. However, a majority at that meeting voted to delay consideration of the Appeal until June 5 – after the Canvass. The Appeal, however, specifically referenced cancelling the Canvass as a requested remedy. According to Robert’s Rules, “Neither the motion to Postpone to a Certain Time nor any amendment to it is in order if the effect would be the same as that of a motion to Postpone Indefinitely – that is, if it would kill the measure.”
Obviously, a motion to delay hearing an appeal that – if upheld – would cancel the Canvass until after the Canvass was conducted would effectively kill the appeal.
At its May 20 meeting, the 1st Congressional District Committee – by a vote of 17 to 5 – agreed. Ultimately, they voted to uphold the Appeal of Scott Wyatt, to cancel the Canvass, and to affirm the May 4 Convention.
As of this morning’s meeting, the 97th LDC and the 1st Congressional District Committee are now in agreement: the May 4 Convention was valid, Scott Wyatt is our nominee for Delegate, and Saturday’s Canvass is cancelled.
The Executive Committee of the State Central Committee, which is empowered by Article III, Section E.1.b. of the Party Plan to “act for the State Central Committee when the latter is not in session,” will be meeting this evening to discuss “matters related to the selection of a nominee in the 97th House of Delegates district and related Party actions.” It is my hope they will affirm the judgment of the 1st Congressional District Committee.
I will alert you to further developments as soon as I know them.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Tom Miller
Chairman
97th Legislative District Committee
