With Speaker Bill Howell retiring there has been speculation that Susan Stimpson might step in to replace him in the 28th district of the House of Delegates. Today that possibility was confirmed when Stimpson sent an email to supporters asking them to “save the date” of the primary and to save her a place on the ballot.
I just wanted to send you an email asking you to possibly “save me a spot” on the ballot for this June’s Republican primary to select the Republican nominee for the House of Delegates if you’re in this district or, if you aren’t and are willing, save the possibility to help me reach victory if I do decide to run for the open seat. It’s important to elect conservative leaders in state government and we seem to have a shortage of that in Virginia.
For those of you who may not know, one year ago life was a little difficult in the Stimpson household. It’s like that song “I get knocked down but I get up again!” I’m much stronger and grateful for the empathy I now have for those who have faced the same struggles.
If you’d like to know more, here’s the story in today’s paper.
http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/stimpson-says-diet-drug-led-to-bizarre-behavior-is-considering/article_6afe26ce-43d4-5d36-8f50-df23a6adb4fa.html
So save the date — Tuesday, June 13th, the Republican Primary — and hopefully, you’ll save a spot for me if I decide to run for the House of Delegates. If I do, I want to represent my neighborhood and tell your story.
According to the story in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, last year Stimpson was taking a powerful diet medication, phentermine, and the side effects of the drug caused her bizarre behavior resulting in an arrest in Wegmans when she refused to leave and an arrest at JFK international airport when she inadvertently walked through an emergency exit door. (Who knew that was worthy of an arrest?) From the Free Lance-Star:
“I wish that my family hadn’t gone through so much pain, but I wouldn’t trade the experience, and I don’t want it to be wasted,” said Stimpson, 46, wearing a purple suit jacket with a pin commemorating Stafford’s 350th anniversary. “I want to take the experience and use it for good.”
Taking the drug was not a “moral failure on my part, it was a human frailty,” Stimpson said. “But I do take responsibility for taking a shortcut … when I could’ve just maintained a healthy lifestyle,” she said, stressing that she does not fault the doctor who prescribed the medicine.
Stimpson is now living a healthier lifestyle and has eliminated coffee and alcohol from her diet.
Something else happened today that very few in Virginia politics would have ever thought possible, Shaun Kenney has written an article in support of Stimpson. Not an endorsement, as he said several times, but he finds her “courageous.” Amazing, after his many years of animosity toward her. He closes his piece with this:
Stimpson has yet to make her decision known publicly yet, but you have to admire the fact that she is willing to endure a public exposition of her own faults… and yes, her own virtues as well.
I consider that courageous. The whole story is courageous. Should she choose to throw in, Stimpson deserves consideration as a viable and strong candidate for HOD-28.
Republicans are big on forgiveness, redemption and second chances. That’s what Stimpson is asking for and it should be granted to her. She would make an excellent candidate for the nomination because she knows the district so well and has so much support throughout it. She will also make a great representative for the people of the 28th district because she cares so much about them.
31 comments
Good, I love Susan and support her viewpoints I hope she wins, she has my endorsement
I got this email and unsubscribed. I didn’t know about the arrest. Her stabbing her mentor in the back last time with all the personal attacks of that race with Howell did not sit well with me.
PS: Phentermine can make one aggressive and have mood swings, lack of sleep, etc.
I would question if someone threw money, power, or cronyism Shaun’s way to get him to sing like a canary for Stimson????(All legal, of course) All I need to know is this, if that “bunch” is behind any candidate, I need to be in front pushing against them.
Howell will no doubt hand pick his successor, not Shaun. Will it be Stimson? I would bet that it won’t. But one never knows…….
Milde for Delegate
She is my county’s Vermin Supreme, very proud of her stupefying descision to run again, keeps things interesting.
Nah, I don’t buy it. This drug is allowed on the market with such psychotic side-effects?
It is a very rare side-effect though.
Nope, still don’t buy it. Going to remain cynical on this.
As someone who frequently has very adverse reactions to very small amounts of prescription medication, I can sympathize. Rare reactions may be rare but they do happen.
Of course I too can sympathize, wish her the best, and am glad she was able to identify this source for her bizarre behavior.
However, in much the same way I don’t put stock in the claims of Martha McDaniel, I think this is just too convenient for a politician.
Big deal, she took fataway pills and she had an episode out in front of Wegmans. This should mean ‘don’t take the pills anymore.’
If that’s all that happened, I would be more receptive. But blaming the Demon Rum, Killer Weed, or the debbil, is just too much like blaming Russian Hackers or Upperville ninjas.
Would she be running if Howell wasn’t retiring? Is she the best the party can do?
What does Stafford for Freedom think?
Agreed. It should not have taken more than one or two days – there was no doubt within 1/2 an hour of taking the pill that there were effects, good and bad, and the doc. had warned me about them. I think I still have the bottle, if anyone wants to buy them from me (just joking).
It is a lot like being on speed (I guess). After taking the morning pill, I had boundless energy, I almost thought I could just fly off the roof to get downstairs faster when the elevator didn’t come instantly (okay, i still knew that I couldn’t). Then in the late afternoon there was a huge energy crash. Also, sleeplessness. I took them for a short time until I became so hyper and aggressive that my family couldn’t stand me anymore and demanded I stop.
They did work – could go all day without eating more than a few bites. Did not become delusional to the point of violating airport security, but I did feel violent and was afraid I’d lose it and smack somebody. It was definitely mood altering.
So while I would not throw stones at Susan for mood swings while on this powerful stuff, there are other reasons why she would not get my support that are related to her nasty campaign against Howell, her former mentor. Plus her emails and posts back then just seemed “out there”.
It’s not the actions, if sincere and genuine — it’s the ‘se roto’ excuse.
As you say, there are reasons not to support her aside from one or two particular public incidents, but sometimes the party should be able to step in and help an individual not run if it is not mutually beneficial.
Good for Susan to turn her life around
She’s an amazing lady.
I’ll be perfectly blunt, I’ve never been a fan of hers. Didn’t and wouldn’t support her in 2013 during her Lt. Governor’s race, and even though I didn’t approve of some of what Speaker Howell did during his tenure, I donated to him (small amount) because Mrs. Stimpson rubbed me the wrong way. But we should be rooting for people to turn their lives around. To do otherwise is to be just as hateful as the liberals who we are supposed to be better than.
(Guess that makes me a nasty man?)
I would call on Stimpson to release her medical records to back up this claim. Just to clear the air.
I have met her a couple of times and was impressed with her knowledge of issues when she ran for LG. It has been a mystery to me why she challenged Howell in the primary two years ago. Yes, I hope she really is better. She could really be a great voice for conservatives in the HOD.
Remember back in 2012 when Rick Perry had his brain fart moment during the debate? The story was that he was on back pain medication. Well, I forgive him also. Right now I give Susan Stimpson the benefit of the doubt.
When was the last time Shaun picked a winner?
I’m pretty sure he supported Bob McDonnell in 2009. I’m sure Shaun will correct me if I’m wrong.
I worked my ass off for Bob McDonnell in 2009..
The Russians mademedoit https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2faca6189a944b97fbca43c7cefa8ed7b18bd2459c8ff878729a79d03c476555.jpg
Thank You, Jeanine and Shaun for writing about this. I don’t know Susan Stimpson personally, but Susan, if you are reading this comment, I just want to agree that it takes a lot of courage to go public about mental or physical health challenges. No one should hold what happened last year against you — if they do, then that just speaks to their lack of understanding and empathy regarding health in the 21st century. As someone who has had their own private struggles with mental and physical health I might be able to understand what you went through – I’m sorry it happened. But, it’s so good to see that you’re moving on. Throughout this, you’ve proven that you have characteristics that any good leader is all about: enthusiasm, honesty, empathy, a forward outlook, and acknowledgment that you (like all of us) are not perfect. I think most voters will take this into account should you choose to run. Best Wishes!
Jeanine Martin, even in your praise — you always find room to be nasty and direct.
How disappointing.
I try. Thanks for noticing. Bless your heart.
We’ll see how long this sticks around… unedited.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/07dcb1b65abfdb83f4159c60ceba4aa51ef2e0ae04030e81266a44aa2f407067.jpg
Shaun, what the heck is wrong with you? I rewrote my comment. BFD
Cant we all just get along?
I wouldn’t call what Jeanine Martin said nasty. It was an assessment. Not sure how that was nasty.
Thank you John. It was certainly not meant to be nasty at all. I even gave him a link which will help his blog. Not nasty at all.
I would agree. Now if you called him a such and such, that would be nasty. Offering an honest assessment which includes praise (his words not mine) can not be nasty by definition.
Pearls unto swine