Amit Singh, former candidate for congress in the 8th Congressional District called Republican nominee Mark Ellmore last evening and left a message of congratulations. He also issued a statement today thanking supporters and, in many ways, left his plans for any future public office or service open-ended:

The biggies today are in the 8th, 10th and 11th where we’re watching the race between Republicans Amit Singh and Mark Ellmore, Democrats Judy Feder and Mike Turner, and Democrats Gerry Connolly and Leslie Byrne respectively. We’re hearing, so far, that turnout has been extremely light in the 8th and 11th. In the 8th, this may favor Amit Singh. In the 11th, Operation Chaos-Virginia, may be having an effect. Then again, so might the storms.

11:42 p.m. Didn’t take the Fimian campaign long. HAHAHAHAHA!

“All of the enthusiasm for change on the national and local level evaporated in the face of two tired re-tread candidates slugging it out for the Democrat nomination today,” said Travis Smith, spokesman for Fimian. “Voters in Fairfax and Prince William were clearly disenchanted with their Democrat choices.”

Totals accumulated by the state board of elections show that fewer than 5% of eligible voters cast ballots in the 11th District Congressional Primary in Fairfax County and even fewer voted in Prince William County.

“Voters in Fairfax and Prince William are clearly disenchanted about their prospects for the fall. I don’t think Democrats were at all excited about their choices to begin with, now they are stuck with Gerry Connolly,” said Travis Smith. “He is simply more of the same, a tired, old politician who represents the politics of the past. If you want change, he is not the answer.”

9:30 p.m. With nearly all the voting complete, we can get a better idea of voter turnout…and it stinks. In each district, despite competitive races, turnout will not break - combined between Democrats and Republicans - 6% With two precincts left to report in the 8th, Ellmore has a 662 vote lead. Republicans could muster only about 1.5% turnout, while Democrats could only get about 3%. In the 11th, a very competitive Democratic race has only 5.5%. Pathetic.

9:10 p.m. Ellmore continues to widen his margin of victory. With 24 precincts left to report in Fairfax, Ellmore has a 500 vote lead.

8:46 p.m. So it looks like it will be Gerry Connolly (D) v. Keith Fimian (R) in the 11th, Judy Feder (D) reprising her defeat against Rep. Frank Wolf (R) in the 10th, and Mark Ellmore (R) getting his shot to unseat Rep. Jim Moran (D) in the 8th. Jim Riley has some farewell music for Leslie Byrne and her “netroots” supporters.

Updated: Jun. 7, 11:55 p.m. with a story by the Washington Post

In a recent mailer sent to residents of the Eighth Congressional District, candidate for the GOP congressional nomination, Mark Ellmore, states that his opponent, Amit Singh, in an interview on Blacknell.net would “not vote for John McCain.”

However, according to Blacknell, no such statement was ever made.

The trend in the Eighth District GOP nomination race continues where Amit Singh continues to collect small donations, now amassing over $62K in three months, with the average donation being $125; and, Mark Ellmore continues to collect endorsements, the most recent from Rep. Thelma Drake and Del. Chris Saxman.

Mark Elllmore proves the old axiom “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” This is his second attempt at the Republican nomination for the right to face incumbent Democrat Rep. Jim Moran this November. He faces political newcomer Amit Singh in a primary battle that will be resolved on June 10.

In our podcast, we discuss his background, what it will take to defeat Moran, the biggest issues facing 8th District voters and so much more. Tune in now!

 

 Mark Ellmore, Candidate, Republican Nomination, 8th CD -- May 21, 2008 [17:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (465)

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Amit Singh recently held a fund-raiser with Rep. Ron Paul and State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, helping garner over $57K in donations. Mark Ellmore just picked up five new GOP endorsements from within the 8th District. With just over three weeks to go in the race, both candidates are working feverishly to shore up the nomination.

The 8th Congressional District race for the GOP nomination absolutely fascinates me.

Up in the eighth district GOP contest between Mark Ellmore and Amit Singh, Ellmore announced today that he’s received several endorsements from Republican leaders in the district.

From an Ellmore release: