One day after his announcement that he would run as a Republican for the 33rd district Senate seat (despite having lived in the 13th senate district for 32 years) Joe May changes course and will now run as an Independent. From the Loudoun Times,
“Yesterday I announced my candidacy for the Republican nomination for the 33rd State Senate district. I did so in good faith,” May said in a statement Tuesday morning. “Late last night, just hours after I had announced my intention to run in a firehouse primary, that good faith was rewarded by an attempt to deprive the voters of the 33rd district the opportunity to vote in a fair and open process. In an unannounced meeting, that was hidden from the press, the public and even other Republican Party committee members, five people made a decision which excluded all but a handful of voters form (sic) the selection process.”
Joe May is incorrect on several points. There was never a firehouse primary scheduled to choose the nominee in the 33rd district. (I have no idea where May got that idea.) The method of nominating a republican candidate was not chosen until last night. If he was familiar with the Loudoun County Republican Committee and Republican party plan, he would know that there were not five people involved in the decision to have the candidate nominated at a Mass Meeting open to every voter in the 33rd district. There are only two people on the Republican 33rd district legislative committee, one representing Loudoun county and one representing Fairfax county, exactly as dictated by the party plan. Those two people were solely responsible for deciding the nominating process, per the party plan. Since 14 people attended the meeting last night, including Mr. May’s campaign manager, and the other two candidates running for the nomination, John Whitbeck and Ron Meyer, the meeting was hardly a secret. Nothing was hidden from Mr. May. Mr. May went on to say,
“I have been a Republican and a conservative all my life,” said May. “But today, I join Sen. Byrd as an independent … I ask for the support of every Virginian in the 33rd district – Republican, Independent and Democrat alike. We must ensure every voter has the opportunity to participate and to be heard. We must reject Washington style politics in our great Commonwealth.”
While claiming to be a conservative Mr. May makes reference to a democrat turned independent who last served in office over 30 years ago! Voters are not likely to be impressed with that reference. How many of today’s voters remember Harry Byrd Jr, or care what he did back in 1970 when he abandoned the democrat party to run as an independent?
Joe May is the height of Washington Style politics having spent 20 years in office with very close ties to the political establishment in Richmond. He loves tax increases, tries to hide his voting record from constituents, expects his vast wealth to buy him seats without the hard work of connecting with the voters, and switches parties on a whim because he lacks core beliefs. He is a typical career politician, and the last thing we need in the state Senate.
21 comments
http://bit.ly/1ePhxB2 Maybe Joe #TasinTaxhikes May couldn’t sign this form, because he might be committing perjury.
Ralph: That is a low blow. Delegate May, who is still the sitting delegate, has served Virginia honorably for a number of years. While you might disagree with his voting record, he has been a loyal supporter of the GOP for many years. More importantly, all three candidates pledged to support the winner of a firehouse primary.
Really David? He’s throwing it all away on this nonsense. He couldn’t retire honorably.
If he did fill out a candidate qualification form and say he was qualified to serve as a State Senator in the 33rd SS District, he would be committing perjury. Why is he different than the democrat?
There’s a mentality amongst some elected officials that we exist to serve them. They have it exactly backwards.
You’re right – he is the sitting delegate. He should be bounced of the caucus immediately.
Ralph: How would he be committing perjury? I’m not arguing whether moving into the district is right or wrong, but it is legal and until there is a change to the Code of Virginia prohibiting such behavior, candidates will continue to exploit it.
Furthermore, this isn’t about who serves who, its about a practical approach to elections. Republicans keep losing and then we ask ourselves why?
Again, you’re making an argument that it’s about Joe May rather than the people of the 33rd District.
If he hasn’t changed his voting address and signed a form stating he’s qualified to run, he would be committing perjury. Lawyers could have fun with what constitutes the term “residence” also. There is precedent for “intent to dwell” etc. I personally despise this behavior. It’s cynical and opportunistic.
Both May and Wexton live considerably outside the District. At least Marsden lived across the street and could redistrict his house in.
Ralph: My post below outlines my thoughts as to why voters in the 33rd District were let down by the decision to hold a Mass Meeting instead of a Firehouse Primary.
The democratic party opened it’s nominating process to a western county Carpetbagger.
The Republican nominating process should reject a similar approach.
And should repay GOP donors and coffers that have supported him during his brief candidacy as a claimed Republican.
There is very recent precident for perjury in lying about residency.
http://www.winchesterstar.com/article/091713embree
The first Republican candidate for Sheriff in WInchester this year had to drop out because he lived in Frederick County, not Winchester, when he filed. The State Police investigated.
While the Legislative District Committee has the right to choose whatever nomination method it feels is best, I certainly contend that this was a very poor decision by the 33rd District Committee. A few reasons why a firehouse primary would have been the preferred route:
1. It is my understanding that all three candidates preferred a firehouse primary. Not that a district committee should always follow the wishes of a candidate but in this circumstance, it seems logical that the LDC would choose the method preferred by all candidates;
2. It is a more inclusive process. Yes, I know, its the same argument used for primary v. convention but the fact of the matter is that the 33rd District spans a large geographic territory and given that the Mass Meeting is scheduled for a weeknight, a firehouse primary would have given commuters multiple options without having to wait around for hours at a Mass Meeting. More importantly, since the 33rd District spans two jurisdictions, multiple locations would have allowed voters to cast ballots in their home counties. A firehouse primary was used with great success in the 14th Senate Special Election earlier this year. As the Party is looking to move forward after its devastating statewide defeat in November, a more inclusive process seems logical to me
3. In a firehouse primary, RPV could have run a absentee ballot program, further expanding the pool of GOP voters and encouraging participation in what will be a low-turnout election.
4. All three candidates stated that if the process was fair, they would run as Republicans and endorse the eventual winner. With an independent in the race, the chances for Republicans to win the 33rd Senate seat is diminished (though not impossible.)
This election is critical to the balance of power in the State Senate. This decision seems less based on logic and reason and based more on political maneuvering. No one candidate has an advantage in a firehouse primary nor in a Mass Meeting. So, if that is the case, why select a process that is less inclusive and only generates controversy where none need exist?
One last editorial comment. It had been the hope of the Fairfax County Republican Committee to have a firehouse primary with a location in Fairfax. However, that request was denied when the Legislative District Committee met earlier this week.
David,
Are you speaking on behalf of the Chairman or the Committee? Did we have a vote (as FCRC) on our preference for this?
I attended the LDC meeting because the State Senate District crosses my magisterial district. I did not participate as I am not in the District. One of the questions is cost. Particularly when you’re raising AB’s as an issue. Who pays for this? Mark Sell had a very difficult job because of all the uncertainties. You could blow all this money and the Good Lord Willing, Obenshain pulls it out. So we have an expensive nomination for an election that may never happen. We just don’t know.
The High School in question is fairly close to Fairfax and particularly Herndon. It might be more inconvenient for Leesburg residents.
The democrat has been nominated. We must be prepared.
I do agree on this. We must recover the data on everyone who participates.
Using the process as the excuse for not participating as a candidate, or sitting on your hands during an election, is getting old. Del May had his preferred process is his primary last spring and he got creamed. Then he refused to endorse the winner. It appears Del May is never happy, he just keeps moving the goal post for each process. There are no special rules for Del May, it matters not how long he has served. Part of being a member of a committee and/or party is the pledge that you will support the nominee. We know Joe May didn’t keep that promise this past election cycle, so it is no surprise he is changing the rules and reasons once again to fit his own personal needs. This is not about Joe May.
Unless of course you’re talking to Joe May or his mercenaries.
Do you think Joe’s going to return any money gathered from Republicans?
Joe May served the Commonwealth and the 33rd House district for many years. Many are grateful for his service. When he cast his resigning vote on the Transportation tax, and then so poorly explained his reasons to the electorate, they agreed with his decision to retire and ratified it via two elections.
It could have been different. But it would be kindest to remember the Joe that served rather than the Joe that swerved.
Who is doing the political maneuvering? And why?
Firehouse primaries are more difficult and more expensive. I’m not too inclined to ‘expand the party’ during a primary for a special election for a state senate seat. I’d prefer participants who were republicans and actually knew something about the candidates.
A few reasons why SOME may prefer a firehouse primary. I prefer the election type where the political party chooses it’s nominees rather than somebody else. (and that doesn’t screw the taxpayers with the bill.)
Here’s where and why you’re wrong:
1) I’m sure that the candidates would have preferred duck duck goose if they each could have picked the ‘tapper.’ The candidates are trying out for the nomination, they want to be chosen. The candidates should be favoring whatever method results in their best choice for selection.
I thought the Mass Meeting favored Joe May and I contend that it would have been his best path to the nomination. Had Joe May been a little more familiar with the Second Amendment lifestyle, his feet would not be bleeding and he would have practically been elected Monday night.
2) Screw inclusive. I want Republicans to choose our nominees. Not well-fed warm bodies, not OFA, not ‘momentarily enlightened’ independents nor democratic sycophants.
It is the job of the party to select the nominee that best represents our philosophy, our party, our ideals, and can best communicate same to the electorate in the general election. If we choose bozos, or have bad messaging, or have incentivized bad Republicans, we lose elections. If we lose elections, we get dumped from our plush party thrones in the backrooms of country clubs.
According to your logic, a convention would be even more inclusive and convenient to the Republicans in the 33rd — I agree with that. (but it would have been sooooo hard to do /sarcasm)
3) So we need to water down the booze so it tastes better? We should have absentees in a firehouse primary because it would match a low turnout election? You and I are Republicans, we should encourage non-Republicans and stay at home Republicans to participate in the process because their input should be taken into consideration at a higher value than us Party dopes?
Perhaps it’s time for a new kind of Firehouse Primary. Maybe a drive-thru, or text a 6 digit number to choose the nominees?
4) Whatever process we select is fair if it applies to all candidates. Being fair does not necessarily mean NOT favoring a particular or faction. Firehouse Primary favors one candidate, the Mass Meeting favors at least two, Convention might favor a different one.
Joe May’s Campaign Manager promised to endorse and support the nominee in the last election — Joe did not.
John Whitbeck’s Campaign Manager promised to endorse and support the nominee in his last election — John did.
Ron Meyer promised to run against Gerry Connolly and… well, never mind.
Bad Republicans out of the party is a good thing. Just like one can have such an open mind that the brains leak out, one can have such an open party that the label ceases to have meaning.
The party is the crucible where steel is forged. We come up with the best product, and torture test it as best we can — with Conservative Republican exclusivity, with all the controversy that rumor, gossip, insinuendo, blogs and blog comments can muster. If we don’t have the superior message and messenger, we don’t deserve to win, nor wield the awesome power and godlike omniscience we do as party functionary. (and thus the party factions get bounced on or off the curb at the next GOP snout-counting event)
While your feigned profundity might impress some, it screams of
insecurity to those of us who understand how to win elections. But by
all means, your really helping the cause by undermining the party and
effectively handing Democrats control of the state. And don’t let
history get in your way either. After all, Reagan didn’t raise taxes for infrastructure. Or work across the aisle with Tip O’Neil. Nope, he was a hard-line ideologue. Oh wait…reality meet Jeanine. Jeanine meet reality (or how
to win an election, either works).
Perhaps you could tell us what office I’m running for because I am not a candidate for any office. Norr am I aware of any insecurity about this imaginary office that I’m running for. It appears that you are as ‘dazed and confused’ as Mr. May.
The candidate will be nominated at a Mass Meeting on December 16th. Details here: http://thebullelephant.com/mass-meeting-to-choose-republican-candidate-in-the-senate-33rd-district/
He is the current lame duck GOP Delegate of the 33rd House District.
Yesterday he was running for the GOP Senator of the 33rd Senate District.
Today he is running for the “Independent” Senator of the 33rd Senate District.
It’s the 33 that’s throwing him off — He didn’t leave the district, the district left him!
So what is the nomination process going to be?
flippy flop joe doing the poll-ka