50th District Special Election

Special election in the 50th House district likely on July 11th or 18th.

Developing..

Comments

Who might be running?

[NoVA-9]

this seems early doesnt it...

[James Young]

Well, NoVA-9, there has been some discussion elsewhere (trashing at least one prospective candidate), and arguably, the forebearance suggested in another thread by Scott Hirons expired upon Harry's funeral.

I guarantee you that, among those most intimately involved in the 50th, it is being discussed. In fact, one of my less-politically-active fellow churchgoers, who knows of my involvement, asked me about it this morning.

[hirons]

Game on - time to get rolling. Vinny's already naming every Republican in Mannassas as a potential candidate.

http://tooconservative.com/?p=406

[NoVA-9]

i meant isnt the election a little early...

i would think that the republicans would want somethign later because it would allow for them to mobile more locals around allen...

[charles]

I feel odd because Jim Young's already posted here and it's his idea, but I think we should all push to have this position unfilled until the November election. July's too late to be much value this year, and more people will be represented in a regular election in November.

My fear is that if Howell doesn't call the election, Kaine will as soon as the session is over, because democrat's only hope for this seat is a low-turnout election in the middle of the summer.

Could that be why the rumor is for a july election?

[James Young]

There are few original ideas in the blogosphere, Charles. Don't feel odd. You gave credit where credit is due, and it's apprciated. No flame war necessary.

Why so late? I thought that since the GA was in session that the Speaker could call it for 3 or 4 weeks from now (like he did in the 97th). Or does that only work during the regular session? Perhaps someone who knows more about such things could inform me. At the rate things are going in Richmond, were a special election to take place in 4 weeks, the General Assembly could very well still be in session, and certainly the new Delegate would be around in time for the veto session of the special session.

[asmith]

I'm sure that seat would lean R, but Tim got a respectable 45 or 46% in Manassas. Is Dale City in that district? If it's a July election, the Dems have a shot.

[bookman]

Under state law there can't ba a special election within 30 days of a general election or a primary election. May 2 is a general election for town and city council seats, and there is a primary election in June.

[Johnny Longtorso]

the district includes the entire cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, and five precincts in Prince William County. Kilgore got 51.4% in the district, Kaine got 46.6%.

Ive heard Pete Hackman is looking to run for this seat? Does anyone know if that is true?

bookman, thanks for the information. However, I just looked up the Code online:
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-682

"§ 24.2-682. Times for special elections.

A. Notwithstanding any charter or special act to the contrary, the following provisions govern the times for holding special elections. Every special election shall be held on a Tuesday. No special election shall be held within the sixty days prior to a general or primary election. No special election shall be held on the same day as a primary election. A special election may be held on the same day as a general election."

Is this not correct? If it is, then couldn't the election techinically legally occur as early as Tuesday, June 20 (the first available Tuesday after the Primary). If this is not correct, then the online version of the Code of Virginia available of the GA's website is out of date.

[AWCheney]

It also means that the election could be held in November...save the Commonwealth (meaning us)some money.

[bookman]

With the exception of one county (Bath), all of Virginia localities have gone to some sort of electronic or mechanical voting machine. To allow for recounts and court challenges, the SBE would most strongly oppose any attempt to schedule a special election so close after another election.

[AWCheney]

"A special election may be held on the same day as a general election."

Bookman...by "November," I meant the first Tuesday of...

What's wrong with saving some money?