Preston, McClellan, Morrissey, Marks and the Fastest Election in #Virginia Ever #VA04
Yes, that’s right Virginia: 🏃🏾♂️The shortest campaign in Virginia’s congressional history is due to take place on the third day of Hanukkah and five days before Christmas on Tues., Dec. 20, 2022.
No, it’s not the candidates fault but to be clear: This is nuts. The winner is likely to have fewer than 5,000 votes to be a U.S. Representative for a congressional seat that should involve over 150,000 voters. That would be unprecedented.
There are normally 223 voting locations for a normal contest in the fourth Congressional district. For Dec. 20, there will be eight.
The eight voting locations are below:
This unprecedented voting situation and process invites a lawsuit. Eight polling locations for 244,044 potential voters in Virginia’s 4th congressional is the current state of play. Needless to say it would be difficult to get unpaid volunteers to participate in a sudden Christmas week 7-day congressional race. 🧯But this situation highlights why the state law on special elections must change.
Regardless, the four candidates who successfully filed on Dec. 16 are moving forward in a breakneck effort to fill the seat of A. Donald McEachin 🌹who passed away on Nov. 28. They are below:
🧯Even national media typically unaware of the nuances of state politics have figured it out:
Politico: Virginia Dems squeeze House special election into one breakneck week | Washington Post: Virginia Democrats are vying to win a congressional race in only 7 days | Daily Beast: The Race to Replace Dead Congressman Is a Race Against Time
#VA04. 🏃🏾♂️ 12/16 WAS DEADLINE DAY. 🧯Four candidates have made the ballot for the super-rushed seven-day congressional firehouse primary to fill #VA04 after the death of A. Donald McEachin. The ballot order will be:
Joe Preston, former member of the House of Delegates
Jennifer McClellan, State Senator
Joe Morrissey, State Senator
Tavorise Marks, fmr. candidate for House of Delegates
PRESTON. Attorney Joe Preston defeated W. H. Jones Jr. in the special election on January 6, 2015. Preston earned 1,213 votes and Jones got 285. Preston then lost a race for the District 16 Senate race to Rosalyn Dance in 2015. Preston received 4,967 to 3,039.
If there’s anyone out there connected to the Preston campaign please e-mail: BlackVirginiaNews@gmail.com
In 2015, Preston ran against Roz Dance in a 2015 primary race for State Senate District 16 and lost. Dance received 4,967. Preston received 3,039.
McCLELLAN 🏃🏾♂️ website here State Senator and attorney Jennifer McClellan is the party establishment favorite and many of the branding moves made over the last 48 hours are feature that look of “inevitability” favored candidates have. But as the hours speed by towards Tuesday she is also making sure voters are aware of her lengthy legislative record. In terms of McClellan’s length of resume alone, that she is the establishment’s choice should be expected.
🎙 McClellan dropped a one minute radio ad yesterday:
Above: Sen. McClellan also has the support of all the members of women in the Black Caucus of Virginia. The race continues to be an establishment (McClellan) vs. anti-establishment (Morrissey) race.
Video from Sen. McClellan’s announcement for Congress on Dec. 13 in Richmond:
JOE MORRISSEY 🏃🏾♂️ website here 🥊 State Senator and attorney Joe Morrissey represents more Black people (approx. 50,000) in Virginia than most of the members of the Virginia Black Caucus. The base of his support should likely be in Petersburg, Va. But he loses some strategic advantage without Lamont Bagby, who dropped out on Thursday, Dec. 15, in the race.
🎙 Sen. Morrissey is running a one-minute ad with two Black women voices featured, a nod to his notable Black support:
🎙 Conservative radio show owner John Fredericks cut an ad for Morrissey on Dec. 16 focused on voting and the Democratic party’s ironic stance in this breakneck moment for this 7-day firehouse election:
“Can you imagine the next time a Democrat stands up in the Virginia General Assembly and talks about expanding voting rights at greater access to the polls? Are the elites want to put their own person? Can you imagine the next time a Democrat stands up in the Virginia General Assembly and talks about expanding voting rights at greater access to the polls?
🎙 Sen. Morrissey is also running “resume” ad on his legislative record with an emphasis on gun violence:
Video from his announcement on Dec. 13 in Petersburg:
TAVORISE MARKS 🏃🏾♂️ Army officer, community leader and Chesterfield NAACP member Tavorise Marks is a veteran political activist in Virginia. He barely lost a seat for the House of Delegates in 2019. Interesting: There is only one polling place in Chesterfield — the largest land mass in the fourth district. This is likely a disadvantage for both Marks and Morrissey.
Marks is a top community activist and hard working mover and shaker who is sought after by campaigns in every election cycle. Today he is knocking doors for his congressional campaign as he has for the campaigns of so many others.
Generally speaking on Marks, fmr. Del. Michael Futrell had many positives. “His work in the community speaks for itself. We want to see people who are active in the community and who make a difference.”
Recap: Marks is on the doors …. Morrissey attended the Sussex Christmas parade… McClellan is having a canvas launch with Tim Kaine…. and we’re looking for Joe Preston.
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