The Players: Morning Line Odds
State Sen. Bill Stanley 2:1 – The chalk. He hopes to wire the field. But this is not a coronation. Therein lies Stanley’s risk. But he’s got the best consultant on the planet, his Political Rasputin Richard Crouse running the show. Crouse is undefeated. He’s a beast.
Martha Boneta 5:2 – The second choice on the board, she’s been closing like crazy. First the insiders discounted her and wrote her off, then they tried to strong arm her out of the race. Finally they launched a nasty personal email smear campaign against her late last night. Will it backfire? She’s the wild card. If she survives to the final ballot, good luck beating her one on one. She’ll win.
Cynthia Dunbar 7:2 – She’s baaack! She’s been bet down from 50:1 to 7:2 in 24 hours. Follow the money. Twelve days ago Cynthia got crushed by Ben Cline in the 6th District nominating convention — after gaming ways to rig the convention for six months. Now she’s trying her hand in the 5th. Why not, right? Her political gurus Chris and Diana Shores are relentless supporters, like the Dunbar energizer bunnies. They are good, but this is a mighty task. It looks opportunistic and carpet-baggie to some. But the Shores have worked this circuit like surgeons and they’ve got votes — lots of them. The Dunbar whiz kids were planning a sneak attack, but the kitty got out of the bag. Can they get to 19? Its Crouse V. Shores. Dunbar has momentum. She’s Stanley’s worst nightmare.
Mike Del Rosso: 9:2 – Moving up the tote board. He ran in the 2014 D-4 convention, placing first on the opening ballot before eventually losing to Tom Garrett. He has a base, he plays hard ball.
Denver Riggleman: 5:1 – What a refreshing and compelling candidate…for Northern Virginia. Denver owns a whiskey distillery in a teetotaling district, and he’s pro gay rights and pro gay marriage (like me, just not as ardent or outspoken as I am) in a very red district. Both would benefit him in a statewide run. But they cost him here. It’s a tough road to 19 votes (needed to win).
Delegate Mike Webert 12:1 – What a great guy! One thing I’ve learned: nice guys finish last in this business. Or fourth. Mike never got traction, and Stanley took whatever little wind he had out of his sails. Not this time, Mike.
The Field- Joe Whited, Dale Woodson, Paul Gwaz, Harold Gielow 500:1 No shot. Thanks for coming!
Tune in here on Saturday for live coverage from the 5th district meeting. The meeting begins at 10:00 am.
