At last June’s Republican Party of Virginia State Central Committee meeting, Morton Blackwell stood in favor of choosing a nominating convention to bind Virginia’s delegates to the RNC. If we chose a primary, he warned, Donald Trump would win. Yesterday his prediction came true.
It should be clearer now than ever before that when we let Democrats and non-Republicans pick our nominee, we end up with candidates Republicans don’t like. But when we let informed Republicans, party activists, and conservative leaders pick our nominee, credible conservatives like Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio stand a far better chance.
And this fact doesn’t just extend to Virginia. Trump has dominated open primaries where Democrats and other non-Republicans participate in choosing our party’s nominees. On the other hand, in 3 of the 4 states where only Republicans voted, Ted Cruz won (the Iowa caucus, the Alaska caucus, and the Oklahoma primary).
If you’re frustrated that Virginia has chosen a New York liberal who likes the Obamacare mandate, praises Planned Parenthood, and who is an unrepentant adulterer who claims he’s never felt the need to ask forgiveness for anything, you know who to blame.
Those responsible for Trump winning Virginia are those who turned their backs on Virginia Republicans and voted for an open primary.
Those who voted otherwise must have known there was the chance their plans could backfire. They didn’t want to stand publicly in favor of letting Democrats pick a candidate like Trump. They pushed for a “secret ballot” so they could hide their vote. Leading the charge for a secret ballot, and making the motion for it, was Terry Wear, the 11th district chairman. Thanks for nothing Terry. I hope you’re proud of Trump’s win in Virginia.
Eric Herr, Chairman of the First District GOP, insisted on a recorded vote so that Virginian Republicans would know who to blame should a candidate like Trump prevail. Those who voted “No,” voted to choose a primary in secret, and therefore voted to hand Virginia to Trump.
Many of these people are running for re-election this year. Make sure you ask them how proud they are of their secret vote now.
| POSITION | First Name | Last Name | Vote (Aye for Roll Call, No for Secret Ballot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | John | Whitbeck | — |
| 1st Vice Chairman | Michael | Thomas | No |
| National Committeeman | Morton | Blackwell | Aye |
| National Committeewoman | Kathy | Hayden | No |
| Secretary | Diana | Banister | No |
| Treaurer | Rich | Nilsen | Aye |
| General Counsel | Chris | Marston | — |
| Finance Chairman | Pete | Snyder | Aye |
| 1st District Chairman | Eric | Herr | Aye |
| 2nd District Chairman | Curtis | Colgate | No |
| 3rd District Chairman | Chris | Stearns | Aye |
| 4th District Chairman | Jack | Wilson | No |
| 5th District Chairman | Lynn | Tucker | No |
| 6th District Chairman | Wendell | Walker | No |
| 7th District Chairman | Fred | Gruber | Aye |
| 8th District Chairman | Mark | Kelly | Aye |
| 9th District Chairman | Adam | Tolbert | No |
| 10th District Chairman | Jo | Thoburn | Aye |
| 11th District Chairman | Terry | Wear | No |
| College Republican Federation | Kasha | Nielsen | No |
| College Republican Federation | Devon | Flynn | No |
| College Republican Federation | Jake | Lee | No |
| Young Republican Federation | Daniel | Webb | No |
| Young Republican Federation | Jeff | Wernsing | Aye |
| Young Republican Federation | Michael | Wood | Aye |
| Federation of Republican Women | Linda | Bartlett | No |
| Federation of Republican Women | Miki | Miller | No |
| Federation of Republican Women | Elizabeth | Mundy | No |
| House Caucus | Jackson | Miller | Aye |
| Senate Caucus | John | Cosgrove | No |
| House Caucus | Jimmie | Massie | No |
| Senate Caucus | Bryce | Reeves | No |
| Eastern Vice Chairman | Kevin | Gentry | No |
| Eastern Vice Chairwoman | Juanita | Balenger | No |
| Western Vice Chairman | Al | Aitken | Aye |
| Western Vice Chairwoman | Suzanne | Curran | Aye |
| 1st District Representative | Steve | Albertson | Aye |
| 1st District Representative | Jeanine | Lawson | Aye |
| 1st District Representative | Larry | Kile | Aye |
| 1st District Representative | Allen | Webb | Aye |
| 1st District Representative | Carol | Dawson | Aye |
| 2nd District Representative | Roger | Miles | Aye |
| 2nd District Representative | Carl | Anderson | Aye |
| 2nd District Representative | Cheryl | Hargrove | Aye |
| 2nd District Representative | Stephen | Corazza | No |
| 3rd District Representative | Barbara | Tabb | No |
| 3rd District Representative | Stephen | Thomas | Aye |
| 3rd District Representative | Chip | Muir | No |
| 4th District Representative | Steve | Trent | No |
| 4th District Representative | Bill | Flanagan | No |
| 4th District Representative | Rick | Michael | No |
| 4th District Representative | Bob | Wheeler | No |
| 4th District Representative | Carole | de Triquet | No |
| 5th District Representative | Renee | Maxey | Aye |
| 5th District Representative | Chris | Shores | Aye |
| 5th District Representative | Peyton | Knight | Aye |
| 5th District Representative | ClaraBelle | Wheeler | No |
| 5th District Representative | Travis | Witt | Aye |
| 6th District Representative | Georgia | Alvis-Long | No |
| 6th District Representative | Mickey | Mixon | Aye |
| 6th District Representative | Joseph | Sonsmith | Aye |
| 6th District Representative | Gene | Rose | Aye |
| 6th District Representative | Anne | Fitzgerald | Aye |
| 7th District Representative | Jane | Ladd | No |
| 7th District Representative | Doug | Rogers | No |
| 7th District Representative | Marie | Quinn | No |
| 7th District Representative | Kristi | Way | No |
| 7th District Representative | David | Fuller | No |
| 8th District Representative | Noah | Wall | Aye |
| 8th District Representative | Anne | LeHuray | Aye |
| 8th District Representative | Matthew | Burrow | Aye |
| 9th District Representative | Kevin | Corbett | No |
| 9th District Representative | Michelle | Jenkins | No |
| 9th District Representative | Marcy | Hernick | No |
| 9th District Representative | Jerry | Lester | No |
| 9th District Representative | Susan | Edwards | Abstain |
| 10th District Representative | Heidi | Stirrup | Aye |
| 10th District Representative | Julie | Williams | Aye |
| 10th District Representative | Mark | Berg | Aye |
| 10th District Representative | Kay | Gunter | Aye |
| 10th District Representative | Eve | Gleason | Aye |
| 11th District Representative | Keith | Damon | Abstain |
| 11th District Representative | Patsy | Drain | No |
| 11th District Representative | David | Ray | Aye |
53 comments
I voted for Trump and glad he won — also consider myself conservative. Tired of the GOP political class that talks a big game and does absolutely nothing! Comstock voted to raise the debt ceiling as did many GOPers….Rubio will just perpetuate the establishment ruling class and he would do nothing but sell us out like is going to do as a member of the gang of 8….Cruz is much better and my second choice — just cutting out the middle man this year and going right to the guy with the money, instead of the guy being controlled by he money…
If only we could have swindled the public this way , is what this read is.
Bitter we much? Got news for ya Rubio isn’t a credible conservative, and obviously many doubt The Cruz is one either. Trump won.
Trump is the one, not only willing, but strong enough to fight the enemies from w/in, the ones that have formed a Uniparty. I mean really, grow up and face the fact the GOP and DNC are one in the same, there is no longer a two party system. Time to come into the modern era and realize this election isn’t like the elections of yesteryear. Wake up and look at the bigger picture of what is happening and going on in front of your very eyes! This isn’t about Donald Trump. It is about America and her citizens.
Just imagine what things would be like if your precious GOP had fought as hard for American citizens, as they are fighting now against Trump. There wouldn’t be a Trump. Funny, the GOP suddenly has spine when all their gold and treasure is at risk of being taken away.
Exactly.
1,000,000 Virginians voted in the Republican primary yesterday!! That is awesome participation. Your telling me maybe 10,000 conventions voters are going to get it right?? If you have a problem with the open primary system stop your belly aching and go talk to your local rep and get it changed so SCC stops getting involved. I have a little secret for you, their not going to change it!! The everyday republican wants to vote at the polls not at some place far away from their homes and our reps know it. All do respect people are voting for Trump because our National Republican leadership has lied to us voters and keeps caving to Harry and company. People have a right to choose, even God gives us a choice. Your just barking mad on this one because your person lost. Please get out of the fetal position with your blankly and act like an adult.
No, I want people in my political party to choose who they want to represent them. It’s really as simple as that. I’m pretty sure those 1,000,000 voters were not all Republicans and most know next to nothing about our politics. Forgive me if I don’t want thousands of uniformed democrats and independents choosing our Republican nominee.
Plenty of Republicans voted for Trump. Further, if we had a convention or caucus, what makes you think Marco Rubio would not have won, like he did in Minnesota? He seems to have been the choice of the party elites.
Trump would have won ALL the DELEGATES in a CONVENTION, it would be like another RALLY at a large venue!
We had a convention in 2013 and unelectable EW Jackson won the nomination for Lt. Gov., and may have helped cost us the governorship – so it is not like a convention of elites knows best.
I was at that convention and it certainly wasn’t a ‘convention of elites”. Surely you don’t think it was elites who nominated Ken Cuccinelli at a convention. The elites were not supporting Ken!
I did not support Cuccinelli and proud of it.
He stinks !
He was the first AG to file a lawsuit against Obamacare. He doesn’t stink your opinion does!
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli allowed John Broadway Va. Employment Commissioner Classify illegal alien unlicensed contractors as ” bona-fide ” independent contractors inpite of prohibited acts of Statutes 54.1-1100
http//:watchdog.org/202012/subcontractors-shadow-economy- By Kenric Ward Feb 2015
Why did AG disregard violations issued to over 200 unlicensed contractors ?
Because he aborted the enforcement of Virginia law to allow illegal aliens to flood the Va. construction Industry. Fact not opinion as you eronously state.
I believe some voted for him to enforce Virginia law , not for him to send out E-mails stating Va. does not have the statute authority to persue unlicensed contractors { please educate yourself to prohibited acts of 54.1-1100 } , it seems that Herring , and Davenport are well educated above the lawyer Ken Cuccinelli.
I don’t expect Republicans to understand employment { VECA } of Contractor law. 200 Violations and not one dam prosecution , sounds like employment santurary and this cost Va. an excess of 28 Million anually to the General Fund , I had the BEST reasons not for supporting a man who does not support legal employers/bussinesses.
Pieces of work like Ken C. or non work as this case is why there is support for Trump.
While Ken C. was looking on the internet to invest $10,000.00 in Star Sceintific we were using the same internet to cross reference Va. violations.
Why did he allow this data { unlicensed contractors/illegal aliens }to be held out of JLARC 427 ?
Obstruction?
Yes, I love Ken Cuccinelli.
Childish.
No, knowledgeable employer , of a complicit lawyer simple.
http//:watchdog.org/202012/subcontractors-shadow-economy-
Challenge to you ; How come the VOSHA/DOLI policy change of DPOR notification of July ,01 2015 ? I am sorry that are you knowledgeable of this? It is public info. Please don’t call me childish when you have you head burried in the sand.
No the attacks from other Republicans like Rigel on EW Jackson and Cuccinelli not fighting McAuliffe’s attacks because the RNC did not give Cuccinelli the same amount they gave Bob McDonnell when he ran for Governor cost us that race. Very small margin of Victory in that race that money could have helped win the race. Nice REVISIONIST HISTORY!
You are exactly right. Other Republicans undermined that race and bear the blame for denying VA a very good and principled couple of men.
Bolling and the RNC cost us the election, plus a crappy campaign team working for Cuccinelli.
Jackson and Obenshain were caught in the middle of the RNC and Bolling leaving Ken out to dry.
So proud of my 10th district committee who ALL voted for an open and above board vote. People on the State Central Committee represent all of us. We have a right to know how our representatives vote especially for something this important. Shame on Terry Wear for leading SCC down this path!
Jeanine – we are on the same page as far as our desire for transparency goes! Secret ballots are for cowards and doers of dark deeds. NOT for honest and above-board representatives.
It should never be allowed on State Central Committee. We vote for those people and we have a right to know how they vote! Shame on those who voted against an open ballot!
We need to be careful with this … I do believe Trump is attracting working class white voters with his talk of trade and immigration reform. Look at Massachusetts, he won overwhelmingly in places like Lowell and Fall River. I have no doubt that Democrats are voting in our primary, but to use that to excuse the explosion in turnout largely driven by Trump is a mistake that could drive away potential … wait for it … Reagan Democrats.
20,000 Democrats switched parties in MA to vote for Trump. Somehow, I don’t think that that was because they truly believe that he is a good Conservative.
conservative has nothing to do with it. He’s talking about immigration, trade and jobs. That’s what’s driving his voters.
Of course, he wants to engage in protectionism. Ask Herbert Hoover how that progressive strategy plays out for the economy & jobs.
No, angst and rage are what is driving his supporters. Trump on the issues is awful.
The wall? He can’t force Mexico to pay for it, that’s a pipe dream.
Trade? He kept ranting about Japan in addition to China. Japan’s economy stinks. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Jobs? He’s planning on taxing the job creators. They won’t be able to hire more. Plus, he’s endorsing a system like Obamacare. Obamacare has gutted businesses, and Trump wants to increase that system? Another failure.
He’s wrong on all the issues he’s supposedly getting support for, and he’s supporting PP and being supported by the KKK.
I not sure you are catching the “drift” that is going on around here regarding the right kind of Republicans.
Samuel Butler once wrote, “An open mind is all very well in its way, but it ought not to be so open that there is no keeping anything in or out of it.” We’ve now irrevocably discovered that the same thing applies to political parties.
I agree with Chad Davis. Primaries are the way to go. Trump, whether we like it or not, has won this fair and square. When Democrats hold their own primary, with their own set of problems, as they did yesterday, I don’t think an appreciable number will bother to come out to vote in the GOP primary.
I saw a Democrat coming out to vote in the Republican primary, and a woman was talking about how her son was thinking of doing so as well in order to sabotage us.
I agree with Mark Jawsz likewise. If the Democrats remain an open primary, but we decide to huddle in a closed convention, we will lose many more to the Democrats.
That’s untrue. Open primaries and conventions don’t matter nearly as much for inclusiveness as the campaign does. That’s a talking point created by moderate Republicans who can’t win in conventions. In VA that perception, that conventions are bad for us, was created by the last convention with Cuccinelli. It was’t the convention, it was the campaigns themselves that bungled that.
The system you’re endorsing is more damaging to us than it is positive. And justifying it be the actions of our opponents isn’t wise because Democrats will crossover in mass numbers to vote for our candidate while Republicans are less likely to do that. Will some? Yes, but not nearly as many. Open primaries leave us wide open for no real gains in the election.
Most Republicans would much rather spend 5 minutes voting in a primary than going all the way to Richmond to hear hours of speeches before they can vote.
Yes, and so would most Democrats. That’s the problem.
or the beauty of voting in a primary
Sabotage isn’t beautiful, it’s the argument against primaries. For good reason as well.
So why did some Republican House and Senate members kill the bill to require Party registration to be used in primaries?
Probably because it is too expensive and too widespread a change to do at this time. Conventions are cheaper, better, and you can guarantee that your people are Republican.
If we started party registration right now we’d still be working at it this time next year.
Once again, moderates shoot themselves in the foot. I just wish the bullet hadn’t ricocheted and gotten us too.
Primaries are much more open and reflective of the will of the people.
Right, that’s why I saw a Democrat crossing over to sabotage our primary.
Maybe you saw a Democrat who saw the light.
She was laughing about what she’d done. So, no.
I worked the polls in the 2000 Republican primary and watched all my democrat neighbors come in and vote. One was an official in the Democratic party! Another was a judge activist in the Democratic party, Not a one of them thought it was unethical. They justified by saying “it’s an open primary, the law says I can vote in it”.
They don’t think they are doing anything wrong. Legally they aren’t. Morally? Yeah, they don’t care much about that either.
As long as primaries are like this, we’re gonna have Democrats crossing over and sabotaging us. The precinct I was at is tiny. If I’m seeing it happen there? It’s a lot worse in big cities.
If we can’t close the primaries, have conventions.
I’ve lived in 3 other states; each had a closed primary & none of this cross-voting drama. It doesn’t make sense to have a primary where everyone can hop lanes.
Tell it to our General Assembly who is perfectly happy with the laws we have in Virginia banning registration by party.
judges can’t be party members. nor activists.
Well he was a federal judge who attended the FCDC and was active in the party. He was appointed by Bill Clinton. You’ll have to take it up with them.
Yes, and that has nothing to do with an organization and who the organization choose to represent them. I suppose I should be allowed to vote at the local country club even though I don’t belong to it and know next to nothing about it. Same principle.
Voting in an election is a little more open than joining a country club.
do you have the privilege of voting at the country club as I have the privilege of voting in an election?