Jennifer Wexton, the democrat candidate for Mark Herring’s 33rd district seat in the general assembly has lived in the 10th senate district for the last 10 years. Today Joe May also announces a run for that seat, and he too has lived outside the 33rd district for the past 32 years. Has carpetbagging become de rigueur in Virginia?
Joe May is the third republican to enter this race. John Whitbeck and Ron Meyer are also running. Both of those candidates actually live in the 33rd district. John Whitbeck is well known in Loudoun county as a conservative who supports lower taxes, more choice in the education of our children, he is solidly pro 2nd Amendment and pro life. He has worked tirelessly for our republican candidates. He is the former President of Landsdowne HOA and currently serves as the 10th district chair of the republican party in Virginia.
Earlier this year, Joe May ran a nasty campaign against Delegate-elect Dave LaRock. While in the House of Delegates Joe May voted for the largest tax increase in the history of the Commonwealth. Joe May has repeatedly voted for higher taxes, including a tax surcharge for people in his own district. He does not have a solid record supporting Life or in support of the Second Amendment, all of which helps explain why Joe May lost to Dave LaRock by 15%. May is not a conservative in any sense of the word.
Since John Whitbeck is a true conservative, and has been endorsed by every elected official in Loudoun county (except one supervisor who is a long time friend of May’s), it’s difficult to see where Joe May will draw support but today he issued this statement:
Delegate Joe May Launches “Virginia First” Campaign for State Senate
Will host official announcement at 4:30 PM in the lobby of EIT, 108 Carpenter Drive, Sterling, VA, 20164 (Press & Public Welcome)
Sterling, VA – “Today I wish to announce my candidacy for the Republican nomination in the Special Election to be held to fill the potential vacancy for the 33rd State Senate district. The Republican Party is expected to hold a nominating process in the coming weeks and I intend to file the necessary documents to run.
I have served the public in various positions in Northern Virginia for a number of years including ten terms in the House of Delegates. During this period I’ve used many of the same skills in providing good, sound public service that I used to become a productive inventor, capable engineer and successful businessman and technologist.
Both the Republican Primary and the Special Election will present a large contrast in style and philosophy; some candidates’ first objective is to serve partisan interests. Our nation has had enough of the partisan gridlock in Washington and certainly doesn’t need any in Richmond.
I am the one conservative in the race who can work within his party as well as cut through the gridlock to deliver real results for the Commonwealth.
If elected I plan to continue emphasizing growing and maintaining Virginia’s robust economy. That economy is particularly dependent on adequate transportation and good education, especially technology education (STEM).
I have always tried to bring innovative solutions to Virginia, including the Rural Rustic Roads policy, which has saved hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars; Quiet Pavement to replace ugly and expensive sound walls and in getting commercial space launches, a multi-billion dollar enterprise, to be conducted at Wallop’s Island. If elected I plan to work towards reduced congestion and lower tolls through innovation on the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway.
My wife Bobby and I have grown our business, EIT, in Sterling for the past 37 years. That business now employs over 200 Virginians in the heart of the 33rd senate district.
Many people have come to me over the past months and have urged me to run for this office. To a person they talked of the need for leaders willing to put Virginia first and cut through the gridlock to achieve results. In a time of unprecedented partisan politics they want a representative whose primary concern is service. I just happen to agree with them.
It has been my great honor and privilege to serve our great Commonwealth and I ask the people of the 33rd senate district to allow me to continue to do so. Thank you.”
Please note that May says his business is in the 33rd district, not his residence. The law requires the candidate to live in the district that he hopes to represent. Considering Joe May’s past voting record in the House of Delegates I am somewhat surprised that he has chosen to run as a republican and not as a democrat or independent. We will have more details on Joe’s record as the campaign progresses. The vast majority of republicans (and even many democrats) will find it alarming. (Who votes to raise taxes on their own constituents, including a 20% increase in their sales taxes, and expects to be re-elected, or elected to any office?)
Later tonight The Bull Elephant will have the details on the method and date of the primary race between John Whitbeck, Ron Meyer, and Joe May. Stay tuned! With all the money that Joe May has to throw at this race, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
