Chris Stuart running for delegate?
By JR Hoeft | Friday, December 31st, 2010 | PoliticsAt least, there’s a Facebook page that says that he is.
Stuart, if he is running, hopes to succeed Del. Tom Gear in the 91st District. He is currently serving on the Hampton City Council.
The Facebook page is ” -Paid for and authorized by A Fresh Perpsective PAC, not authorized by candidate or candidates committee-”.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
JR Hoeft
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
Comments
55 Responses to "Chris Stuart running for delegate?"
Considering that he’s a fan of the page, it makes good sense that he is running.
The first Republican to be on Hampton City Council in years. Even Tom Gear was a D when he was on Hampton City Council. Id support Chris Stuart as I think ive said before. Im sure the good ole boy network will start the Stuart smeers soon like they did with Tom Gear.
How does one pay for a free facebook page?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Nicole S Wheeler. Nicole S Wheeler said: Rt @ChrisStuart91: Chris Stuart running for delegate? http://t.co/YB0lbGm via @bearingdrift #VaHD91 #tcot #gop #rnc #rpv [...]
D.J. – doesnt state law require a decleration of whose controlling or authorizing campaign acivity ive seen similar statements on other free things? Ill defer to your judgement, im new to this.
Heather, Charlie Sapp was a Republican. The local party (Gear’s folks) didnt particularly care for him but Sapp is an R. Council elections are non partisan so unless they make a big deal of it you often dont know what their affiliations are or if they have them.
I doubt the “good ole boys” as you call them will have that many smears. Stuart is well respected by Molly Ward, George Wallace, Ross Mugler, Ross Kearney etc.
The Gear smears had nothing to do with him being an R. A lot of us from both parties and neither party had a problem with his repeatedley late tax payments, bounced checks, failed businesses, when he was trying to say how the public’s money should be spent.
I understand that Chad Green has also announced.
Chris Stuart will be a clear front-runner from what I am hearing on the Penninsula. Those “good ol’ boys” seem to pop up a lot in this race – wonder who their choice will be this time? I know it isn’t Stuart.
The good ole boy network? Chris Stuart IS the good ole boy network! Chris Stuart is Mayor Molly Ward and Former Councilman Randy Gililand’s love child!
Chris Stuart doesn’t even live in the district!
Chris Stuart doesn’t even live in the district! He lives on the other side of the city
Just looked and he lives on the other side of the city
Josh he does now. He just moved. Tom Gear moved to get into the district too when he first ran.
Since when?
Since Friday when Gear resigned or today
What a disaster!! We trusted this guy with our votes, and is willing to abandon our City Council after a few months for the next office…sounds a lot like Obama himself. Also, why was he not a Republican until it was convenient?
I’ve never heard Chris Stuart deny that he is a Republican?
Also, yes he moved down into Fox Hill – I saw the truck.
Josh – Gear resigned publicly on Thursday.
@HOkie, my point exactly! Not only is this man running for a seat that’s outside of his own House district. I also feel he’s breaking a promise to the trusting people that opted to elect him as their representative in City Council by quiting merely 8 months after being elected. What kind of a person does this? I’m sure they will remember when this goes to convention.
Obama?!!! Wow!!!! I feel certain this wasn’t his “plan” but things happen. No one else running (rumored to be running) has ever even held an office?????
Gear quit the city council and carpetbagged his way into the district as well back. Admittedly he had served 3/4 (roughly) of his term on council.
I dont particularly like the move in, quit council, but unless Gordon Helsel runs he’s best guy for the job.
Lastly, council seats are non partisan-Stuart never declared himself r or d during that race.
@Lynn, does any of what you say make it right to deceive voters into thinking you would represent them for another term?
@Se VA, same thing to @Lynn
Josh why is your beef against stuart sooo deep this is begining to sound like your being put up to this by a campagin or something?
Obama are you serious…I didnt see Obama supporting Scott Rigell, I didnt see Obama do a fundraiser for Ken Cuccinelli, I didnt see Obama standing beside George Allen or Sarah Palin all of which I have seen Chris Stuart do…lets have a reality check here!
Chris moved into the district the other day. Same thing that Gear did when he first ran for the district. Why is this a problem now that he is in the district? that point is now null.
As for abandoning the people of Hampton, he isn’t. If anything he is going beyond the call and helping them even more. The 91st district can benefit greatly from Chris’s political sense as well as his small businessman’s experience. Why would you want to have the people of 91 lose out on that chance? Chris is a great choice to succeed Gear.
I think Jo is right this issue should be done and settled…plus Josh how do you know its a convention when no one knows the nomination process yet…..i restate my thought again your on the inside of someones camp pairing yourself as independent.
Chris Stuart was complaining that two council meetings per month were too much because he needed to spend time with his family. Being a delegate would require him to be completely removed from them in Richmond for at least one solid month. So what gives? Was he lying before, or just an enemy of open government?
Josh, deception implies intent. I dont think Stuart intended to do this last spring. I dont think he or many others thought there would be a special.
Chris Stuart is the one who created the comprimise between Council Members to allow 2 public comment periods a month and he voted for it your wrong again Mwade.
This is my last post on the subject, but I voted for him and expect him to keep his word and do his job. Is that too much to ask?
Really sorry to hear about Gear and his family’s health issues. I did not support him politically and never would, but my prayers are with him and his family. Let’s find a real conservative, no matter who it is, to fill this seat.
No lawyer4fun, you are wrong. I said nothing about two public comment periods. I referred to two council meetings.
And as for the public comment period, it is at 6:00pm. When everyone is still at work or trying to get home from work. I wonder why the change was made? Chris Stuart and Mayor Molly Ward are trying to minimize citizen involvement.
JJAbrams – I believe we now see that you sign in under 2 diferent names?!!!
Is Stuart, Palin now? People said she shouldn’t leave her kids either? Many politicans have children. My goodness.
@Lawyer4fun, not supporting any candidate at this point. I want someone that is from the district to run and not some one who reneges on their City Council duties
@ Se VA doesn’t matter, please refer to lawyer4fun.
@JO, your completely wrong about abandoning he his duties and political sense, HE JUST GOT ELECTED!
@whoever mentioned success in business, that security business is his wifes
I’m curious to hear who Tom Gear supports.
Just heard the Mayor of Poquoson is running for this seat. In his heart, he is a Democrat, and so were many of his most critical supporters. I don’t dislike him personally, but he should run in the other primary if he wants this job.
Most people who follow politics in our district know this, but we need to get the word out.
I’ve heard the same thing about the Mayor of Poquoson. He is a RINO, claiming to be the moderate and that some of Chris’s fellow Council members in Hampton are really supporting him.
He needs to stay out of this race.
Helsel is a RINO and a Democrat at heart? Really? Then you better start proving it. He earned a lot of fiscally conservative bragging rights when he was non-stop facing down the HRTA. Opposing the HRTA is not a Dem or RINO trait. Standing up against “big government” trends isn’t either. If that was just the one thing he did right, you might want to cite verifiable evidence. Otherwise, he’ll probably get enthusiastic support from those that appreciated his spirited public stand against that unconstitutional taxing authority.
Helsel is not a dem at heart. He had the support of a lot of dems last time around because they recognized that he was a man of great integrity and a true public servant. Many Rs supported him to in Poquoson even though he ran as an independent.
There was/is a broad bipartisan dislike of del. Gear on the peninsula that is not based on political ideology. However as the R incumbent in a strong R district, in a strong R year, in three way race Gear was re-elected easily. Take Sam Eure, Obama backlash, and the McDonnell wave out of the picture and Helsel wins in 09.
Folks, Chris Stuart is a RINO too! And whoever mentioned that fellow council members are supporting him, I am sure it is all the wrong ones!
There are two honest people on Hampton City Council: Donnie Tuck and Angela Leary. Let’s see who they are supporting!
I never heard of Chris Stuart until this sudden race started. I read all of the posts above and not one has talked about what he has done that benefits me. We have determined that he wants to be a Delegate bad enough to pick up and move to his wife’s grandparent’s house on the other side of town. It looks to me as if he has used Hampton as a stepping stone for higher office. Do you guys actually believe that he will be a true leader in the House, or is he just a name that you are familiar with? It is well known that primaries and special elections are mostly name recognition races. The most qualified candidate doesn’t always win because he may not be well known. In my opinion, we cannot afford any more professional politicians in Richmond. The stuff that I have read here and at the Daily Press blogs do not give me a warm fuzzy feeling about Stuart. Please enlighten me.
Maybe that’s because many of these comments are from the same person using different names.
And it’s obvious who it is, and who he is backing.
Brian, on your first paragraph I think you are right. On the second I dont know who you are referring to because there are three candidates announced thus far – Stuart, Chad Green and Teresa Schmidt
Mr. Kirwin, that isn’t unusual on these blogs. The person or persons doing that almost always trip themselves up. None the less, I am still looking for answers to my question. What makes Stuart the right man for the job?
Why so serious?
You can call me Brian, and I’ll call you by your first name.
I agree with Brian, an obvious bashing by another campaign.
If Stuart isn’t a Conservative, then explain this Daily Press article
http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2011/01/hamptons-stuart-inks-no-tax-pledge-in-push-to-replace-gear-within-gop.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+shad_plank+%28The+Shad+Plank%29
I don’t think the fact that he is conservative is the most important issue. There are lots of crooked conservatives. Just look at D.C. A written promise to not raise taxes is reassuring but legally worthless.
It just really worries me when a man will uproot and move across town in order to run in a neighboring district. There have been a great deal of facts posted on Daily Press Blogs about Stuart and his business. I haven’t seen anything from anyone that disputes any of it. A `No tax Pledge’ does not tell me why he is qualified for this job. I have seen many things that tell me he is the wrong man to put in Richmond.
Well, you said it NHOH… you’ve heard about his BUSINESS! That doesn’t qualify him?
And he has more than a promise, he has not voted to increase taxes or fees in the City of Hampton. That I watched closely, as I voted for Stuart for Council, but would never vote for him again if he raised taxes or fees. There is another that I voted for that has voted to raise my taxes, and I will NOT EVER vote for him again. Stuart got my vote the first time, and he has EARNED it this time. As a Hampton and 91st resident I believe him can make a bigger difference for our city in Richmond, and our State of course! Stuart all the way!
I understand Brian’s uneasiness about this whole thing because he hasn’t had a chance to really learn about Chris Stuart. For one, moving across town, was a joint decision between the two of them. They are a team in everything they do. He is doing this for the people. He wants to take his experience and apply it where it counts. He isn’t abandoning anyone. He is actually trying to help the greater city of Hampton and make it a better place. I don’t understand why this is such a bad thing. I would love it if the delegate associated with my area would work so hard for my area, and would be willing to interrupt his whole life. That is true dedication. What else could you ask for?
As for any other questions you have, why don’t you try and do some research on him? He isn’t like politicians from DC. For one, I believe they are a special breed of their own. Second, his involvement with his wife’s company has allowed that company to expand by 500 jobs. That is during this horrible economic times. Imagine what could be done for the CITY as a WHOLE through his involvement in the House during times of economic wealth. But never once has he said that he would abandon the City of Hampton. It anything, he is still going up and beyond his call to try with everything he has to better the city. Why not let him try?
He cannot do for Hampton as a delegate all the things that he can do as a councilman.
How does Hampton pick their council members? Do you guys have districts or what? With Stuart moving across town, doesn’t that put his representation into question? Shouldn’t he resign from council and concentrate on this run?
Jo: I have done research on Stuart. His company is a woman owned business. They do not operate on a level playing field. If he was, in fact, the president of the company and had enlarged it to the point that it is, that would have been impressive. As a SWAM qualified business, contracts are pushed to them to satisfy Government requirements. In short, a 10 year old can build a successful company when it qualifies under the Small, Women and Minority owned Business.(SWAM) Stuart is obviously good at taking advantage of the system and perhaps that will make him a welcome addition in Richmond.
This is a special election created because a dedicated legislator has medical issues requiring him to step down. We have to support a replacement we all feel has the experience to do the best job for all the citizens of our area by creating jobs and bringing home the bacon. An Attorney from the County or a business man from Hampton. The choice should be pretty clear
Wow, so you are saying that because he is the VP of a Woman Owned Business, which has been family owned and operated, means he is playing the system? Do you know how hard it is to run a business? Have you personally ever done so? Be honest, because I really want to hear the answer to this. As for not playing on an even field, that is ridiculous. Don’t get mad just because his wife’s company has prospered and that is partly because of his influence. And if you have done all this research, then why are you saying you have never heard of him? Sounds like you are just trying to spread doubt into the people’s though processes the only you can.
Jo,
Let me answer your questions.
Yes, he is working the system. A SWAM business is guaranteed to be successful by the the very laws that our Delegate’s write and swear to uphold. As a Delegate, Stuart will be in a position to influence State divisions when they are selecting their security companies. Look at it logically. If you were a manager of a state division and you had to pick a new security company, wouldn’t you want to hire the one whose owner actually has a hand in your budget?
I do in fact know the difficulties of owning a business. I have had a business in Hampton Roads since 1981. We have bid jobs in the past with state agencies that we lost to a SWAM company. In most cases, their bids were lower then the actual material costs for the job. They got the contract because they were a minority business and our government will write enough change orders to get the job done and have the company make a little money besides. Every government agency has a dept. that does nothing but work with SWAM companies in order to keep them solvent so that the contract can be completed satisfactorily.
We could have made my wife the President of our Corporation and participated in the SWAM program. Unfortunately, my pride would not let me stoop to that level, because I did not want to take advantage of the system. Again, the playing field is not level and I would invite you to ask any company that is owned by a white male, if they disagree. Reverse discrimination, pure and simple.
The Stuart’s company has not prospered because of great influence from Chris Stuart. It is simply because it is a SWAM company. It isn’t something that I would be proud of.
I have done all of this research because I wanted to see why a man would pull up stakes and move all the way across town in order to run for state office. I see that he has listed his Chesapeake Ave. home with none other then Greg Garrett. It has been rumored that Garrett was going to support Stuart although I have seen nothing in writing. If you know Garrett’s history, then you know he only works with people who will help him later. Yet another, big red flag on Chris Stuart.
You are absolutely correct, I am trying to spread doubt about Stuart’s motives. If, after looking at all the facts, you believe that he is the best man for the job, then you will vote for him.
This part is just my opinion.
I live and have my business in Poquoson, so I had never heard of Stuart before he moved across Hampton and jumped into the race. I have done many hours of research in the last week on him. Having been in business for thirty years, I have made a great deal of contacts on the Peninsula and I have talked to many of them. What I have learned about Stuart, leads me to believe that he is merely a pawn or a puppet that is controlled by other more sinister people. Perhaps sinister is too strong a word, but that’s what comes to mind right now. Stuart is probably a nice guy, but he lacks the self confidence needed to hold state office and not be manipulated by other interests.
I have been told that there are others who are suspect of his motives enough to have a private investigator watching him 24 hours a day. That is a pricey undertaking, if it is true. It makes me wonder what in the world he could be involved in, for someone to go to this trouble and expense.
I have tried to answer your questions honestly as you requested. I welcome your response.
Well, I can at least say that I have met him.
I attended the York County Republican Committee meeting last night as I wanted to hear what the four candidates had to say. As I approached York Hall in the darkness, I was surprised to see that the county had installed a new fence around the building. Upon closer inspection what looked like a fence was in fact hundreds of Vote Chris Stuart signs that were shoved in the ground overlapping each other. The signs made it impossible for anyone to walk through them, because of their closeness. There was a young man steady putting them down. I have never seen so many signs in one place. I thought it was a tacky and childish display of one up-man-ship. I learned later in the evening that the young man whose name was Casey was told by the Sheriff that signs are not allowed on County property and they would have to be removed. Apparently, Casey told the Sheriff that he would remove them right away and then promptly left, without removing a thing. I’m told that the Sheriff is attempting to ID the young man, who disregarded his directive. The Sheriff then advised Stuarts staff of the violation and they went out and removed the signs, immediately. This was the second time that day that Stuart’s staff had to pull up signs that were placed illegally.
If this had happened only once, that would probably be just a misunderstanding. However, in his conversation with the Sheriff, Casey admitted that they had a problem earlier in the day, but they thought that York County would be different. In fact, what we had was a cheap attempt to get folks to remember Stuart’s name in York County. Remember, there is no such thing as bad press. There is however, bad delegates. Having illegally placed his campaign signs twice in the same day, raises another big red flag about Chris Stuart. How difficult would it have been to call the county and ask if it was allowed? Stuart didn’t care if it was illegal. He knew that he would just have to remove the signs. I would like to see the young man who ignored the Sheriff, charged with trespassing and destruction of county property. Why do we want a delegate who doesn’t give a damn about our local laws?
Once inside, I did get to meet and shake hands with Stuart. Shaking his hand is like grabbing a cold wet noodle. Nothing firm about it. It has been suggested that he is a Howie Mandel type. I don’t have a clue. There were other people to meet and I didn’t watch to see if he wiped his hands often.
When the speakers began, Stuart was first up. The first thing out his mouth was about the number of jobs that he and his wife have created. He stayed well within his safety zone and said the same things that we have been hearing all along. The thing that many of us in the audience noticed was his eyes. Most speakers will work hard to make eye contact with the audience. Stuart did not. He spoke for about 5 minutes and kept his eyes glued to the top of the back wall. He went back and forth like a fan on a summer night, but his eyes never left that wall. I found it a bit disconcerting. I talked to about a dozen others, after the meeting and asked them about it. All said the same thing.
My visit to the YCRC meeting showed me this about Stuart. He has absolutely no regard for local ordinances which was obvious by the illegal placement of campaign signs. He is afraid to make eye contact with the very people that he wants to represent in Richmond. He shakes hands like a girl!
Folks, I AM NOT IMPRESSED! If he is the best that Hampton has to offer, then shame on you.
Did any of you guys go to the Hampton Debate last night? Not much of a debate, really. The moderator asked about six questions and each candidate had a chance to respond. All of the questions were geared to tea party issues. It was their deal, so no surprises that. The whole process didn’t take one hour. I was hoping that we citizens would be able to ask questions. That didn’t happen.
I feel that Green smoked the others with his, `from the heart’ answers and opinions. I was embarrassed for Teresa Schmit. She is totally out of her comfort zone and didn’t even understand some of the questions.
Helsel, started every response with “In my 27 years on Poquoson City Council…” I did note that Melanie Rapp wasn’t with him last night. She has been advising him on his campaign. It seems that she has been assigned by her employer, Dominion Resources to use her experience and contacts to help get local and state candidates elected. A state delegate, who is obliged to Dominion can come in very handy when trying to obtain permits from the Commonwealth. Keep your eyes on Melanie Rapp-Beale in the coming months. It will be interesting to see which candidates in the up-coming local elections she teams up with.
Chris Stuart did ok last night. The PA system was broken so all candidates had to talk loudly to be heard. Stuart commented at the beginning that he didn’t normally talk this loud and we all had to laugh because we could hardly hear him. Loud to Chris was normal conversation to everyone else. I did note that his wife Nicole was working the room. She made the rounds of the audience the entire evening. She did the same during the York Republican meeting last week. Ironically, Nicole’s handshake is firmer then her husband’s. It is easy to see who wears the pants in that family. Obviously, if Stuart is elected, we will be getting Nicole as part of the package. Two for the price of one. Of course, we are also going to get all of her baggage.
I will say it again, Chris Stuart is a good guy, but he is a puppet. I have talked to some of his fellow church goers and they describe him as a nice guy. I do not want my delegate to be a nice guy who is controlled by special interests from around the peninsula. I want my delegate to be a S.O.B. that can think for himself and will not be afraid to say no to big business. Chad Green is that man!
Leave your response
The comments section is for meaningful discussion. Readers are reminded to post comments that are germane to the article and write in a common language that steers clear of personal attacks and/or vulgarities.
Please take a moment to review our comment policy.