A little Virginia Convention history for my political friends, and why so many in the party are outraged still over the rules proposed by the 6th District Committee. Each year has a contested convention, the number of rounds, and the winner’s final vote share. If you can spot a plurality nominee in here, you get $5.00.
2016: Tom Garrett, 5th District, 3 rounds 58%
Charles Hernick, 8th District, 1 round 78.7%
2014: Ed Gillespie, Senate, 1 round 60% (opponent dropped before the count finished)
Micah Edmond, 8th District, 1 round 50.74%
2013: E.W. Jackson, Lt. Gov., 4 rounds 58.1%
Mark Obenshain, Att. Gen’l, 1 round 55.2%
2010: Morgan Griffith, 9th District, 1 round 51%
2009: Bill Bolling, Lt. Gov., 1 round 84%
Ken Cuccinelli, Att. Gen’l, 1 round 57%
2008: Jim Gilmore, Senate, 1 round 50.3%
2007: Rob Wittman, 1st District Special, 6 rounds 100% (28.7% after 5, uncontested 6th)
2004: Lisa Marie Cheney, 8th District, 1 round 66%
2001: Mark Earley, Governor, 1 round 70%
Randy Forbes, 4th District Special, 1 round 52%
2000: Demaris Miller, 8th District, 1 round 55.3%
1994: Ollie North, Senate, 1 round 55%
1993: George Allen, Governor, 1 round majority
Mike Farris, Lt. Gov., 1 round majority
Jim Gilmore, Att. Gen’l, 1 round majority
1988: Maurice A. Dawkins, Senate, 1 round 56.4%
Linda Arey, 5th District, 1 round majority
1985: John H. Chichester, Lt. Gov., 4 rounds 52%
Buster O’Brien, Att. Gen’l, 1 round, 2/3rds majority
1984: French Slaughter, Jr., 7th District, 2 rounds 60.82%
1981: Nathan Miller, Lt. Gov., 1 round majority
1978: Dick Obenshain, Senate, 4 round majority
1976: Paul Trible, 1st District, 2 round majority
In addition, the following Republican candidates were selected via convention but due to a lack of available information, it is unclear if these convention votes were contested:
1996: John Otey, 8th District
John Tate, 2nd District
1994: George Landrith, III, 5th District
Tom Davis, 11th District
1992: Gary Weddle, 9th District
Jim Chapman, 2nd District
Bob Goodlatte, 6th District – by acclimation, awaiting confirmation
1988: Jerry Curry, 2nd District
John Addy did most of the research in his first project for me as an intern. Outstanding work John.
EDIT – Goodlatte won by acclimation according to a 1992 6th District Convention attendee – waiting for confirmation.
