Four 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.
