Democrats Trudy Berry and Makya Little Launch Write-In Efforts, Chase Ditches Write-In Plan, New Josh Cole Ad, NAACP on AG Miyares

➡️ Early voting in Virginia begins in 9 days on Sept. 22, 2023.
➡️ Senator Louise Lucas’ Afternoon on Crystal Lake is in 17 days on Sept. 30, 2023.
➡️ Nadarius Clark’s Power of the 757 Gala is in 17 days on Sept. 30, 2023.
➡️ Election Day 2023 is in 55 days on Nov. 7, 202

Senate District 9: Trudy Berry Has Launched a Write-In Campaign Against Senator Frank Ruff

On August 26, Democrat Trudy Berry, who had worked to secure the nomination in Senate District 9 to run against Republican Frank Ruff, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced a write-in campaign.

Because Democratic party officials in Danville sent Berry’s paperwork confirming her place on the November ballot to the wrong email address, Berry was not certified as a candidate. Early voting begins in Virginia in 16 days on September 22.

Democrats are fighting to keep control of the Virginia Senate and Republicans are fighting to keep control of the Virginia House, which the GOP controls by three seats.

“After extensive consideration and uncertainty, I hereby announce that I am launching my Democratic write-in campaign to give all voters the opportunity to protect their rights and freedoms by giving them a Democratic choice on their ballot,” Berry announced in late August.

At a State Board of Elections meeting on August 15, a supportive statement of Berry’s effort to be on the ballot by Democratic Party of Virginia Chair Susan Swecker was read to Board members. But the Board took no action even though candidates with similar issues had been placed on the ballot.

Berry’s attorney, Liz Burnson, requested that the Board remain consistent given their past decisions.

“Ms. Berry is only asking for the same treatment under the same circumstances and for all the same reasons that this board properly and correctly voted to certify these other candidates,” Burnson said. 

The 9th Senate District includes Danville, Halifax, Pittsylvania, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg and Nottoway.

House District 19: Makya Little Announces Write-In Candidacy

On September 6, House District 19 candidate Makya Little released a statement saying she is, “officially relaunching her campaign as an Independent write-in candidate for the vacant 19th District Delegate seat.”

Little, who spent nearly a two decades at the FBI and the CIA filed a lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Virginia and the State Board of Elections on July 26 alleging they party violated their own rules.

Her statement, in part, reads, “what blindsided me was that members and leaders within the Democratic Party would actively work to continue silencing our voices by breaking their own party rules in an effort to unilaterally decide who would be the new representative for our district.”

On June 20, Rozia Henson won the Democratic primary over Little by 49 votes.

Little: “After reconnecting with district residents after the primary results were finalized and realizing that—without any additional candidates in the race—we have no options, we decided to file a lawsuit against the Democratic Party of Virginia along with the Board of Elections, the Department of Elections, and the Commonwealth of Virginia to ensure our voices are not silenced.”

“While we continue our battle in court, I have decided to run as a write-in candidate against the Democratic nominee who has demonstrated a lack of integrity and an unwillingness to put the interests of our district before his own. Whether you identify as an Independent, Republican or Democrat, young adult or senior citizen, Latino, Asian, Black, Indigenous or White, I commit to listening to and fighting for your best interest with transparency and integrity,” said Makya Little.

“It is time for us—We the People—to reclaim our political power and work together to elect public servants who put people over partisan priorities and political drama.”

Little also posted their court filings, exhibits, and additional interviews on her campaign’s website at MakyaLittle.com/lawsuit.

House District 19 includes Northern Woodbridge, Lorton, Mason Neck, and Fort Belvoir.

SD12: State Senator Amanda Chase Ends Write-In Speculation

Last night, State Senator Amanda Chase posted on her Facebook that she will not mount a write in campaign after losing the June 20 Republican primary to former State Senator Glen Sturtevant by 375 votes.

Democrat Natan McKenzie will now take on Sturtevant.

Senator Chase on Facebook: Many of you have asked if I’m organizing a write in campaign this year in Senate District 12.

I’m currently not organizing a write in campaign. Too much work with little return because of the amount of time, energy and effort to educate voters.

I do 100 percent believe there was maladministration during early voting, and still think there should be consequences for those who were involved in that malfeasance. The Republican Party of Virginia leadership should hold those people accountable so that this never happens again and the people can have confidence in the election process.

I’m going to instead spend my time finishing up my responsibilities in the Senate through early January and resting up before potentially running a statewide race next year.

HD65: New Josh Cole Ad

Virginia NAACP Commends AG Miyares Investigation of Windsor Police

Press release: Virginia NAACP Commends Completion of Town of Windsor Police Department Investigation. The NAACP Virginia State Conference (Virginia NAACP) commends the Attorney General’s office in completing the investigation of the Town of Windsor Police Department stemming from the December 2020 traffic stop of U.S. Army Lt. Caron Nazario.

In a statement released today, President Robert N. Barnette said, “The Virginia NAACP commends AG Miyares for completing the investigation of the Town of Windsor Police Department. The town's police department engaged in a pattern of discriminatory, unconstitutional policing; the investigation revealed.”

The Virginia State Conference NAACP encourages all police departments to develop and implement appropriate management techniques specifically designed to prevent police use of excessive force. In addition, the Virginia State Conference NAACP encourages’ AG Miyares to propose legislation to the next General Assembly session specifically to identify police use of excessive force as a crime.

UPCOMING:

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