OK sure, they’re ironing out a few kinks here and there. But once this becomes a fully operational battle station?
Holy wow. Hats off to the State Board for doing something innovative for a change. Half numbers in 2013 are better than no numbers at all… which has been the experience for most political wonks come election time in Virginia.
Favorite feature? THE MAPS!!!
UPDATE: So you’re probably wondering — where the heck are our results? Over at the SBE, they are working on the problem… new system, new software, new bugs, and the only way to test it? You guessed it… primary season.
Meanwhile, if you’re from the “if it ain’t broke why fix it?” camp, you’ll be pleased to know that VPAP is also down.
UDPATE x2: Looks like the SBE site is populating again… shouldn’t be too much longer…
UDPATE x3: …and it broke again.
Preliminary reports:
** LaRock is about 300 votes up against Delegate Joe May.
** Les Adams will win the HOD-16th against Ken Bowman in Danville.
** Howell, Orrock, Gilbert, and Sherwood all look set to win their respective nominations.
** Early reports on the ground are indicating that Gary Byler will win over Scott Taylor in HOD-85th.
** Ralph Northam has an ever-so-slight lead over Aneesh Chopra; Herring has clinched the Democratic AG nomination against Fairfax.
More as it trickles in…
UPDATE x4: RESULTS!!!
NORTHAM: 54%
CHOPRA: 45%
HERRING: 51.6%
FAIRFAX: 48.3%
…and for those of you too impatient to wait, you look like a total clown right now. Posterity, the comments section, and the NSA all know the depth of your character now…
UPDATE x5: Here’s the shocker of the night. Northam carried Fairfax County by 10 points. Wow…
UDPATE x6: SCOTT TAYLOR BEATS GARY BYLER!!
UPDATE x7: Reports trickling in that LaRock has beaten May, Sherwood has lost to Mark Berg, and Taylor has indeed knocked off Gary Byler in a brutal contest in the 85th — according to sources close to the House Caucus (h/t JHPolitics.com)
UPDATE x8: Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell has issued a press statement regarding Joe May and Beverly Sherwood:
“For the last 20 years, Joe May and Beverly Sherwood have been a valued public servants, effective legislators and true leaders who have tirelessly served the people of their districts and the Commonwealth with integrity and dedication.
“They have worked for their constituents on key issues like economic development, transportation, education, agriculture and public safety. Joe and Bev have both been friends to me for the last 20 years. Like many others, I have seen first-hand how their expertise and knowledge on these issues have helped move the Commonwealth forward.
“On behalf of the entire House of Delegates, I would like to thank Joe and Beverly for their service to the people of Virginia and wish him them the very best in their future endeavors.
“David LaRock and Mark Berg have won the support of the Republican voters in their districts. Let me be the first to congratulate David and Mark on their victories. We look forward to their elections in November and know that they will be valuable members of the House of Delegates.”
Wow…
UPDATE x9: So did this…
…upend the Aneesh Chopra race?
Jackson beats Chopra. Wow — well placed hit folks.
UPDATE x10: Numbers so far in HOD 54?
ORROCK: 1195
CURTIS: 974
…with Caroline County yet to report. Looks like the Speaker’s slush fund was needed after all…
UPDATE x11: VPAP HAS THE FINALS IN THE HOD RACES: (winners marked in bold)
District 15 — Republican
29 of 29 precincts reporting (100.0%)
Todd Gilbert* 3,655 92.09%
Mark Prince 314 7.91%
District 28 — Republican
23 of 23 precincts reporting (100.0%)
Craig Ennis 131 8.45%
Bill Howell* 1,420 91.55%
District 29 — Republican
25 of 25 precincts reporting (100.0%)
Beverly Sherwood* 1,492 48.73%
Mark J Berg 1,570 51.27%
District 33 — Republican
31 of 32 precincts reporting (96.9%)
Joe May* 2,200 42.65%
Dave LaRock 2,958 57.35%
District 54 — Republican
20 of 20 precincts reporting (100.0%)
Dustin Curtis 989 43.68%
Bobby Orrock* 1,275 56.32%
District 63 — Democrat
30 of 30 precincts reporting (100.0%)
Rosalyn Dance* 2,485 52.87%
Evandra Thompson 2,215 47.13%
District 86 — Democrat
15 of 17 precincts reporting (88.2%)
Jennifer Boysko 1,033 76.18%
Herb Kemp 323 23.82%
District 90 — Democrat
18 of 20 precincts reporting (90.0%)
Rick James 815 31.56%
Algie Howell* 1,767 68.44%
District 6 — Republican
39 of 41 precincts reporting (95.1%)
Jeff Campbell 661 69.95%
Jack Weaver 284 30.05%
District 16 — Republican
41 of 44 precincts reporting (93.2%)
Les Adams 2,421 80.54%
Kenneth Bowman 585 19.46%
District 85 — Republican
18 of 18 precincts reporting (100.0%)
Gary Byler 1,111 34.27%
Scott Taylor 1,447 44.63%
Jeremy Waters 684 21.10%
UDPATE x12: So the story of the night? Taylor emerges victorious, Sherwood and May go down in flames as a result of voting for the transportation tax hike, and the Democrats move to the right. Overall, a very conservative lean to the election results this evening…
Most of all — how badly did the NSA scandal really hurt Aneesh Chopra? A 10 point loss was unfathomable… and a 10pt loss in Fairfax was just absurd. I’m floored that Chopra lost like that given his connections and the campaign he put on.
UPDATE x13: Jackson is already out defining the debate with Northam. From his press release:
“After a historically low turnout at an expense of millions to Virginia’s taxpayers, Democrats have selected Ralph Northam as their nominee for Lieutenant Governor. Northam’s selection is just another part of the most liberal ticket in Virginia history.
“While Northam wants to campaign on divisive social issues and a commitment to violate our Second Amendment rights, I look forward to continuing the conversation with Virginians about better education through parental choice, strengthening our economy through jobs and economic liberty, creating a fair playing field for all businesses in Virginia by ending corporate welfare, and seeking real solutions to reduce costs and improve healthcare by standing against Obamacare.
This is where things get very interesting for the LG race. Northam is currently a State Senator in a Republican district. Should he win, there will be a special election for that seat which will nominally elect a Republican — turning a 20-20 tie into a 21-19 Republican majority.
Should Northam lose to Jackson… well, the LG can retain that all-important tie breaking vote for another two years.
Poor foresight from DPVA at the end of the day, and a win-win for Republicans.
UPDATE x14: RPV chairman Pat Mullins on the results in HD 29 and HD 33:
“Let me be the first to congratulate Dr. Mark Berg and Dave LaRock on their wins tonight! I look forward to welcoming them to the House Republican Caucus in November. Mark and Dave both ran great races, and will make fine additions to the General Assembly. I’m certain they’ll have long and distinguished legislative careers.
And I also want to thank Joe May and Beverley Sherwood for their years of service to the people of Virginia. Standing for public office is never easy, and neither is public service. Our Commonwealth owes both of these long-time public servants a debt of gratitude for their dedication. Their hard work has left our Commonwealth a better place for all of us.”
Two scalps and a close call for the Tea Party tonight. Speaker Howell’s transportation PAC failed to deliver the promised protection… that’s for sure.
UPDATE x15: via Chris Beer over at Mason Conservative:
Only once since 1981 has the DPVA nominated an all-white male ticket (1997). It looks like we can make that twice now.
Ouch…
UPDATE x16: Cuccinelli campaign manager Dave Rexrode comes in late with a press statement:
“Today, Virginia Democrats nominated three individuals that share a common bond: a clear history of support for policies—including higher taxes, big government programs and anti-competitive regulations— that will move Virginia backwards. Whether it’s their support for ObamaCare and billions in tax hikes, hostility to Virginia coal and offshore oil exploration, or openness to altering the Commonwealth’s right-to-work status, there’s no question that the 2013 Democrat ticket will be among the most liberal in Virginia history. If elected, all three candidates will seek to advance ideologically driven, Washington, DC policies that will only exacerbate the uncertainty felt by so many job creators across the Commonwealth.
Meh — E.W. did it better.
UPDATE x17: Obenshain reacts to the Herring nomination:
“Congratulations to Senator Mark Herring on securing his party’s nomination for Attorney General. I look forward to engaging in a substantive debate focused on our ideas for making Virginia a better and safer place to live and raise a family. My campaign will continue to focus on the kitchen table issues that Virginia voters care about, offering voters a clear vision of the priorities and principles that will guide me in office. I’ve put 70,000 miles on my car since last November, traveling the state and speaking with Virginia families. Everywhere I go, their top concerns are being able to find good jobs, live in safe communities, and secure opportunities for their kids. That will be my focus as Attorney General, and I will continue to share our message of expanded freedom and opportunity with voters around the Commonwealth.”
I’ll be honest — this is the match-up I really want to see… not that I think it will be much of a battle royale. Obenshain is going to mop the floor with Herring.
