Citizen Tom

In just two short weeks we will vote. With the entire General Assembly up for reelection, the outcome will have implications for Virginia politics for years to come. Although not every office is contested, voters also will have the opportunity to vote on every elected office in Prince William County. So this year’s election is particularly important for Prince William County.

CAMPAIGN REPORTS

With no major issues apparent, the PWC GOP provided only a moderate turnout. Even political junkies tire of campaign reports. Almost inevitably, the prevailing theme, particularly this close to an election, is “GET OUT THE VOTE”. Unless unopposed, no one running for public office can afford to have their supporters take their race for granted.

Thus Julie Lucas came forward to remind supporters both of her accomplishments and the fact she has two opponents.

Mike May and Chris Royse also spoke. With good humor May advertised a fund raiser at at Famous Dave’s in Woodbridge. Buy a dinner and May’s campaign gets ten percent (see www.pwcgop.org for campaign events). Royse arrived late but in a great mood. He had just come from walking door-to-door talking to voters, and these talks obviously had him revved up and excited. Controlling illegal immigration is a popular issue, and he has put himself squarely in front of the issue. My guess is that Royse feels like a surfer riding the best and biggest wave he as ever seen.

CAMPAIGN 2008

There were a couple of unusual announcements. Because of her untimely death, Jo Ann Davis’ congressional seat now vacant (see here). Thus Governor Kaine has decided to hold a special election on December 11, 2007 to fill this seat (here). As a result, we already have candidates out campaigning for the seat, and two distinguished gentlemen spoke before our group.

Paul Jost (see here for background), the Chairman of the Virginia Club for Growth, used this forum to confirm his candidacy. At the same time, David Caprara announced his candidacy (see here). As new campaigners (Jost campaigned against Jo Ann Davis years ago.), each seemed somewhat ill at ease. I can only imagine what it must be like to offer yourself as a candidate for Congress and to hope people will take you seriously. Nonetheless, both gentlemen spoke well and appear to be well qualified.

In response to the impending Congressional election, the PWC GOP authorized its executive committee to schedule a mass meeting to select delegates for a Republican Convention in the 1st Congressional District. With all the candidates coming out of the woodwork, this should be an exciting and interesting convention.

NEW DEVELOPMENT

Tom Kopko spoke at length on a judicial decision in Federal Court (Virginia Virtucon has post on the court decision here.). Essentially, what the court ruled is that the state cannot take away a political party’s right to choose its candidates. Kopko’s take on this is that it is now the party’s, rather than an incumbent’s choice as to whether the incumbent faces a primary or a convention. Since only party regulars tend to turn out for conventions, that gives members of the GOP much more clout in ensuring that those candidates wearing the party label actually stand for party principles.

SPENDING MONEY

The PWC GOP decided to assist its candidates by paying to send sample ballots to homes in critical precincts. The cost was unclear, but on the order of $5000.

OTHER VIEWS

Policy Soup talks about the mechanics of the congressional election (here).

eyeon08.com takes an interest in Virginia (here).