Well, well, what do we have here? [read_more]
Let’s see: Del. Joe Morrissey (I) decides to run for the state senate, D-16 against incumbent Sen. Rosalyn Dance (D) and challenger Del. Joe Preston (D), this time as a Democrat in a June 9 primary. The district encompasses Petersburg, parts of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Hopewell and Prince George County.
The scourge of the party big-wigs, “Fightin’ Joe” becomes the immediate favorite in the race if he qualifies for primary ballot access.
Morrissey says he collected 600 signatures (he needs 250 legits to qualify for the June 9 primary ballot)…but he claims has no one to take them.
And neither does Joe Preston.
Why? Because the Democratic chair of the 16th state senate district quit unexpectedly last night.
So there is no one available to take the petitions from Morrissey or Preston.
The Deadline is Thursday, March 26.
How convenient.
No Ballot For You, Joe!
Yesterday two representatives from Morrissey’s camp went to the Petersburg Regional Library to present their paperwork to Lashrecse Aird, the 16th state senate legislative nominating chairperson.
Morrissey campaign operatives requested that the signatures be pre-cleared — which is not uncommon in state legislative races.
Aird, a Petersburg resident and well-known supporter of Dance, refused to accept the signatures for pre-clearance, which is her prerogative under the rules.
That’s just hardball politics.
Morrissey says he called her personally and asked what the problem was.
“She said: ‘I spoke with somebody in the state Democratic committee and they told me I could not accept them for pre-clearance.’ She would not tell me who this person was,” Morrissey stated. “I asked her three times for a name.”
Then last night, at 9:52 p.m., according to Morrissey, Aird resigned her position.
So currently there is no one designated to receive Morrissey’s or Preston’s nominating petitions. The rules are unclear and time is running out to qualify.
“This doesn’t pass the stink test,” Morrissey surmised.
Preston could not be reached for comment by press time, and did not return emails.
Morrissey says he’ll attempt to present his signatures at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday to J. Kirk Showalter, General Registrar for the City of Richmond at the city registrar’s office.
But the independent delegate, who has been harpooned and ostracized by party leaders on both sides of the aisle in the General Assembly, says he’s not optimistic.
“Based on conversations I’ve had with the registrar’s office it is expected that they will refuse to accept my petitions. They told me only the 16th legislative nominating chairperson could receive them,” Morrissey claimed. “But one doesn’t exist.”
So what’s next?
The establishment party stalwarts couldn’t beat Morrissey in the courts, they couldn’t beat him with a dubious looking police raid at his campaign offices the day before the special election in January, and much to their chagrin they couldn’t beat him at the ballot box.
Morrissey romped as an independent despite spending his nights in the county jail.
Now he is free, having served his sentence.
And what about Preston? Collateral damage, perhaps?
Welcome to the USSR: Richmond Democratic Party style.
10 comments
If a political party can deny the people their choice of candidates, just why is that a reason for joy?
Suppose this “manuever” is successful, (it won’t be) how long before someone is denied canadacy for some purely political reason? Do not think that this will be the last time this happens if it is successful.
The people should decide if someone is not suitable for public office in the voting booth. Intelligence would know that.
This country is gone. Long gone unless it repents. The ones behind this are worse that what they are trying to stop.
Is this being reported anywhere? Can you imagine the outcry if this was the Republican party pulling these stunts? The Democrats do this kind of thing all the time.
You can’t make this stuff up. Democrats in Richmond are very entertaining!
And the Republican’s do not have their own little circus?
I can tell that “they” have muzzled you Jeanine. It is so obivious. Sorry to see that.
Haha! I assume you are being facetious!
Well, who is BE endorsing for Fairfax BOS in Sully District?
Is your guy the used car salesman with a law license?
Now see, if Virginia had real parties the petitions should be presented to the next link in the party chain. But because of the Virginia Way good ole boy rule of law, two potential candidates can’t run for office. Stand by for yet another lawsuit coming.
this is wrong. isn’t there a vice-chair?
Not for a legislative district.
Meanwhile in the 24th Senatorial district the Party has to sue the incumbent to say the party matters…