VA-22: Who’s Missing?
By Shaun Kenney | Thursday, August 11th, 2011 | PoliticsFour candidates have endorsed George Allen for U.S. Senate in Virginia’s 22nd State Senate District. Who’s missing?
…and why would a candidate running for the Republican nod “keep his powder dry” on George Allen — who not only commands nearly 70% of GOP support according to Democratic polling outfits, but has been seen actually recording Allen speeches at events?
Of course, folks know that the open seat in the heart of Virginia was going to be this way for the GOP. While the Democrats (wisely) settled on one candidate and quickly, the GOP field is split five ways in what to date has remained a civil affair on the surface… but via robocalls and gossip is becoming a very nasty affair.
Here’s a shortlist of the rumor mill in the 22nd State Senate race…
* Robocalling… and lots of it. For instance, did you know that Tom Garrett had to be evicted from a home he couldn’t pay for? That Garrett was also was taken to court for unpaid child care services for $2,000 and found liable? That Mark Peake hates Tea Partiers and conservatives? That Bryan Rhode participated in “Operation Chaos” and voted for then-preemptively weak Jim Webb in ’06? So sayeth the robocalls from Tuesday of this week.
* Also on the robocall front, Mark Peake doesn’t like conservatives. Not sure why… he just really doesn’t like conservatives. No disclaimer on that one… can’t imagine why…
* At least one candidate has it in their mail that they are “pro-life” even though they confided to me that they were pro-choice for the first trimester. No, I will not name the candidate…
* Polls! Last credible poll that I saw had Rhode in first, Peake in a close second, Garrett in a distant third, and Bates and Tucker in single digits.
* There’s allegedly at least one candidate in this grouping with a very bad history of not paying bills.
* There’s allegedly at least one candidate in this grouping… with some legal problems.
* There’s allegedly at least one candidate in this grouping… who staged a debate (with e-mails to prove it).
* There’s allegedly at least one candidate in this grouping… who has the support of a known racist.
* There’s allegedly at least one candidate in this grouping… who really, really, really hates my guts… not sure why, but there it is.
* Oh… and allegedly Tom Garrett plea bargained a case where the mother was found with cocaine and the kids were drunk… or something like that. He also hates puppies and apple pie.
Yes, Virginia… VA-22 State Senate looks and feels a lot like this.
To be fair, Tom Garrett has been the recipient of most of the flack, mostly because of the rumors that he does not live in the district — which only allows people the “not only/but” option of discussion. Claudia Tucker, surprisingly enough, has come through without much attention to her connection with the eavesdropping misdemeanor. Brian Bates, even with the endorsement of former Rep. Virgil Goode, doesn’t seem to have picked up too much traction beyond his sphere of influence (which has included southern Fluvanna).
Thus far, the two frontrunners are Mark Peake with significant evangelical support from Lynchburg, and Goochland attorney Bryan Rhode, who I have to admit has run one of the better campaigns I have seen in this part of Virginia. Despite Garrett’s support from among the Tea Party, two factors are killing him at the moment: (1) the “Tom doesn’t live in the district” mantra, and (2) his lack of support for Allen. Simple as that — and folks are repeating it.
Now in the mail, the campaigns have been very above board. Lots of great mail from Bryan Rhode, who has run an exemplary campaign thus far. Lots of mail from Tom Garrett on issues such as guns, pedophile prosecution, and being a “Cuccinelli Conservative” — though the AG has yet to announce an endorsement. Bates and Tucker have sent some mail as well, and Peake seems to be warming up with a few slicks.
…but behind the scenes, this race is starting to become very, very nasty. The rumors up top? Some have teeth… others don’t. I could tell you of a few that I wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole… and others that probably deserve to be known.
The good news is that we have five good candidates in VA-22 State Senate.
The bad news? They’re all so closely aligned to one another’s politics that the hair splitting creates the gossip and nastiness in the race.
Par for the course… and when you dig it up to light, it all withers rather quickly. C’est la vie… but it’s also case in point why good people tend to stay away from politics in general.
Voters get to sort it all out on August 23rd. Waiting for them will be a very well funded Democratic opponent… and exterminator Bert Dodson is certainly hoping hard feelings remain after this primary.
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About the author
Shaun Kenney is the Chairman of the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, former Communications Director for the Republican Party of Virginia, and an active blogger since 2002. Shaun lives in Thomas Jefferson's backyard with his wife, six children, and a modest attempt at a farm in Kents Store, Virginia.
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18 Responses to "VA-22: Who’s Missing?"
To be fair, I only read the first few sentences and looked at the pictures, but….
Where’s Shaun Kenney!
I’m much better beating up on Democrats than I am beating up on fellow Republicans. Just didn’t have the heart for this one… but appreciate the sentiment all the same!
What this all needs is sunlight. Anyone done any examination of the candidates records. Their real records not their own opinions of the records…
I’m sitting on all sorts of oppo research on all five. I just don’t feel comfortable using much of it (though some of it is really bad stuff people should know).
Well if its really bad stuff it should get it out. These people will be Senators and our representatives. If you hired them for a regular job you would want know if they have “issues” so why should we be any different when it comes to hiring them to represent us in Richmond. If its true it should be out.
Garrett should be supporting George Allen and carrying the Republican brand forward. Really does he want us to get our Senate back in 2012 or does he not? Thats a huge question. He likes to claim all this tea party and law and order stuff but really what is his record in court? How many plea deals did he make? Those are all stuff that is factual and on the record. The way he touts his record as a prosecutor its a bit too heavy if you ask me. Kinda like he doesn’t want you looking closely at it.
Unbelievable that Tom Garrett is not supporting George Allen. Garrett is from Louisa, no? Didn’t George represent Louisa in congress? I bet George has higher support there than statewide. Very stupid of him. As a matter of fact, I bet George is more popular than Tom in Louisa AND throughout that new district.
Claudia Tucker is the real Tea Party conservative in the race. Interesting that she is the only non-attorney working in the private sector.
Couple her private sector business experience with her record of actually balancing a budget without tax or fee increases -and eliminating wasteful programs.
She is the real deal in this race.
Wm. Jackson, you’re probably right. We have enough lawyers down in Richmond. Amen to that. I see Claudia is supported by Morgan Griffith. That means a lot to me, even if he’s not in the district. I like Rhoade and Tucker. Peake is unremarkable; Bates too. And this Tom Garrett is supported by Bill Janis and Rob Bell; two jack boot thugs who want to put everyone in jail for life for running red lights. (kidding, sorta)
BR – you’re right. They’re (mostly) all good people – but for me, it’s Claudia’s private sector experience, and the fact that there are too many lawyers, and not enough regular folks in Richmond as it is. I think we need more business owners in the legislature (and no I don’t count a law firm as owning a small business) like Kathy Byron or Barry Knight. Good conservative folks who understand the real world consequences of the laws that they make.
With the limited amount of time left, shouldn’t the truth be out there and the rumors squashed ? Is there some trade off between Garrett not supporting George Allen and his support by the TEA Party ? It seems to me that this is all fodder for Bert Dotson and if we are not willing to show let the voters know the difference between rumor and reality, he certainly will. Help us separate the chaff from the grain Shaun.
Seriously Shaun. If something is real it needs to be out. We don’t need a bad candidate getting the nomination whoever that candidate is. Do you want a pro-choice democrat getting in there if the wrong person gets our nomination?
If Tom Garrett wins the nomination Bert Dotson will smile all the way to Richmond.A Democrat told me yesterday that Dotson made the comment he hoped the Tea party helped Garrett win.With his background he would win the General election in a landslide.Garrett is the most flawed candidate in this race.So if the Republicans want to give this seat away help Garrett win.
Just to let you know, William, Claudia is not the only non-attorney. Brian Bates is a teacher, not a lawyer. Just in case you didn’t know.
Kelly,
I do know that Brian teaches – that’s why prefaced my remarks with “the only attorney working in the private sector.” I believe private sector business experience is important. I’m also troubled by his votes for tax increases in Buckingham.
I am amazed how Brian Bates vote for a tax increase is taken out of context. The state of Virginai required that the court houses be updated. The problem was if the county did not approve a new one the judge could order it built and at the county’s expense. With a gun to his head Brian Bates voted to build a court house which was less expensive than one the judge would of ordered. This is a prime example of what he is against-mandates from Richmond with no money to pay for them.
VA-22: Who’s Missing ? Tom Garrett should be missing from this race unless the Republicans want to give it to the Democrats.Anyone want to make a bet on this im up for it.
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