Legal action has been taken by the local Richmond Democratic party, and the State Democratic party, against the always colorful candidate for Mayor of Richmond, Joe Morrissey. In a mailer to 35,000 Richmond voters Morrissey included a sample ballot which implies he has been endorsed by the Democratic party. Morrissey was not endorsed by the party.
Rebecca Slutzky, executive director of the Democratic Party of Virginia issued the following statement:
“Morrissey does not have the endorsement of the Democratic Party of Virginia or the Richmond City Democratic Committee, and we are requesting that he cease these activities immediately.”
“Ideally we would send out another 35,000 mailings with an apology and a correction, but at this point in the election, that’s just not going to happen — there’s not enough time,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll put it on social media. We’ll take every opportunity we can to apologize for the error.”
Joe Morrissey’s campaign manager had an explanation for the sample ballot. From the Richmond Times Dispatch:
“It (the sample ballot) was designed and sent to the printer saying the ‘Progressive Democratic Party,’ ” said Debbie Repp. “It was a situation where the printer, for artistic and speed issues, opted himself to take the word progressive off.”
As if anyone would believe that!
The Richmond Democratic Party strongly endorsed Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney for Mayor of Richmond. Stoney’s campaign and the local party are sending a ‘cease-and-desist’ letter to Morrissey and they intend to file a complaint with the State Board of Elections.
More on the story here.
9 comments
I see nothing that implies an endorsement here. It’s sleazy just like Joe Morrissey, but there’s no court case here.
Really? Then why the laws and rules about sample ballots, what is that colorful ballot-y looking thing with disclaimer the people in Red will be giving out at the polls?
No court case, but it’s equally egregious as a nominated and elected official supporting other than the nominee of their party.
Any Republicans in this race? Do they have any chance?
I don’t think there are any Republicans in the race. If there is a Republican he stands no chance. They all run as Independents but voters know their party. http://www.vpap.org/offices/richmond-city-mayor/elections/
http://chpn.net/rvamayors2016/
Local party there has no guts.
The party of Joe Morrissey, Anthony WEINER, Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer, and now Rebecca SLUTZKY should not be throwing stones. Just sayin’.
Let’s see if I got this correct – Joe Morrissey was convicted of violently assaulting someone and lost his law license. Morrissey has had several children out of wedlock, by several different women. Then Morrissey went on to seduce an underage employee of his, impregnating her. Have I missed anything?
Mr. Morrissey well indeed seems to posess the moral character to make an fine, exemplary Democrat.
And they love him in Richmond!
Two of the three endorsed Democrats in Richmond were on the Ashley Madison list. Richmond appears to be a rather immoral place.
This seems to apply mostly to Democrats in Richmond.