The Bull Elephant has learned that former Delegate Joe May—who was ejected from his seat in a 2013 primary challenge—is now planning to challenge Dick Black for the GOP nomination in Virginia’s 13th Senate district. And if that doesn’t work, he may have Terry McAuliffe’s endorsement as an Independent.[read_more]
From 1993 until 2013 Joe May represented the 33rd district in the Virginia House of Delegates. In 2013 citizen activist Dave LaRock challenged May in a Republican primary after Joe May voted for the biggest tax increase in Virginia’s history, Governor McDonnell’s Transportation tax plan which overly burdened May’s district among others in NOVA and in the Tidewater region. Dave LaRock easily beat Joe May by 16%.
Last fall when Mark Herring became Attorney General, a special election was held for his vacated Senate seat in the adjacent 33rd district. Despite the fact that Joe May has never lived in that Senate district he decided to run for the open seat as a Republican. One day later, May changed his mind and decided to run as an Independent. May knew that he no chance of winning the race but he was happy to get into the race to thwart Republicans and help throw the race to a Democrat. Joe May proved himself to be not a man of principle, but a sore loser with no thought of the harm that might come to Virginia when he helped tip the balance in the Virginia Senate to the Democrats.
Now Joe May is continuing in his attempts to hurt Republicans by challenging our very popular Senator Dick Black in the 13th district. These plans came to light from sources close to May’s effort, and via an individual who was solicited to help with his campaign. (We eagerly await the appearance of Corry Bliss to “help” Joe May).
According to another source, May’s run could take a much more interesting twist. A Richmond campaign professional in a position to know has told The Bull Elephant that, should the Republican field prove too daunting, Governor McAuliffe has offered to clear the Democrat field if May were to run as an independent (thus making May the nominal Democrat in the race). We do not think Joe May has much of a chance in a Republican nomination contest against Dick Black, so it could be that May will ultimately run as an Independent with the tacit endorsement of state Democrats.
