Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Filed Virginia Beach City Council Candidates

As I mentioned in answering a question in another thread, I've twice e-mailed the Voter Registrar to try to find out who has already filed for Virginia Beach City Council. With no reply, I just called down there and found out the big four have filed for Mayor, while five Council candidates have filed.

MAYOR

Meyera Oberndorf, Will Sessoms, Don Weeks, and John Moss.

Outlook: it's Meyera's race to lose. Weeks and Moss will cancel each other out. Sessoms can obviously draw money from some well-heeled interests, but can he translate that into votes?

COUNCIL

Rosemary Wilson (At-Large), Bob Dyer (Centerville), Harry Diezel (Kempsville), Andrew Jackson (Kempsville), and Glen Davis (Rose Hall).

I think readers are familiar with the three incumbents.

Many will remember Glen Davis: he finished 3rd in the 2006 At-Large field. He's moved into Rose Hall District (from Princess Anne District) to challenge Reba McClanan. I first heard about this one through the grapevine late last Fall.

Andrew Jackson is a Navy veteran who has served as Precincts Chair for the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee. He has 20 years experience as a facilitator. Andrew is originally from Cleveland, where his single mother worked three jobs to put him through parochial school.

At a March 15 Virginia Beach African-American Community Leadership Forum meeting, I was the second speaker and Andrew the third. Jackson was impressed enough with me that (as a point of disclosure) he's asked me to work on his campaign. It's going to be uphill, but Rosemary Wilson has noted before how I like the little guy versus the big guy fights. Even if we lose, I'll try to have fun.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

According to www.scotttaylor2008.com there is another candidate for mayor.

Now, if he has not filed the paperwork, but is soliciting funds, is he in violation of campaign laws?

Anonymous said...

My take:

Mayor: Meyera will win this one. Sessoms has 31st Street hung around his neck, and needs the big bucks to polish his image. I think Moss/Weeks/Taylor(?) will split up the rest of that vote with Sessoms.

Rose Hall: Uphill battle for Davis, but I can't remember the last time McClanan has had an opponent, so she may not be ready for a tough campaign.

Kempsville: I think you have picked the wrong one here...I can't see a no-name beating Diezel.

Sound reasonable?

Avenging Archangel said...

Virginia requires that you file your Certificate of Organization prior to accepting contributions.

So, Scott, if you're reading, file before putting a check in the bank. One of the things they ask for is your bank info on the Certificate.

Anonymous said...

He has to file organizational papers within a certain number of days (30?) of receiving a certain threshold ($250) of donations. At lease those were the rules in 2005 when I last paid attention to this type of thing.

Avenging Archangel said...

Anon 5:47,

Mayor: I agree.

Rose Hall: You know how many people want McClanan off Council? Davis should have no trouble fundraising. Davis is the favorite.

Kempsville: Yeah, Diezel has the early lead, but:

1. His base (public employees) is narrow for November.

2. Diezel has never run in a contested election. He was appointed to finish Mandigo's term, then ran unopposed in 2004.

It will be uphill for Jackson, but Andrew has a chance if anti-incumbent fever is up in November.

Unknown said...

In-Kind donations are donations, too. If Taylor has a website, either he paid for it, or someone donated. Either way, he better file and S of O soon.

Anonymous said...

Did liberal Henry finally out himself?

Is self proclaimed "Republican" Henry Ryto working on the campaign of a Democrat?

-Reid Greenmun

Anonymous said...

Henry outs himself:

Andrew Jackson is a Navy veteran who has served as Precincts Chair for the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee.

I was the second speaker and Andrew the third. Jackson was impressed enough with me that (as a point of disclosure) he's asked me to work on his campaign. It's going to be uphill, but Rosemary Wilson has noted before how I like the little guy versus the big guy fights. Even if we lose, I'll try to have fun.

-Reid

Avenging Archangel said...

So Reid admits he isn't a Republican...but wants to decide who is and isn't a Republican?

If Reid had a clue, he'd realize the fight is grassroots/inclusion versus elitist/exclusionary. Harry Diezel is both pro-At-Large voting and pro-R&HA, both knives at the throats of the grassroots. On the other hand Jackson is pro-ward system and took me on after hearing my comments on eminent domain.

Jackson is the candidate that the grassroots should support.

Anonymous said...

Reid,

Unlike the VBTA sheep, Henry is making choices based on the qualities of candidates, not which organization (or party) they belong to.

IMO, Henry is wrong in his choice, but I applaud his independence. Not that it is relevant, but I intend to vote for Thelma Drake (R), Mark Warner (D) and have no idea for president.

Now if you could only see Moss/Dean/O'Connor et al for the jokes that they are, perhaps you could support a winner.