Earlier today, I posted my predictions on nine races. As it turns out, I was correct in seven of the nine. Not bad. Obviously, I’m much better at predicting Democratic races than I am Republican ones because the two I missed were both Republican races 😉
A quick recap:
Williams v Stall. I picked Williams but Stall managed to pull it out. Of course, at the time I made my pick, I had no idea that folks like Verbena Askew would be making robo-calls on behalf of Stall. Nor did I believe that a Democratic challenger was in the wings, which prompted some D’s to go and vote for Stall. I heard that the number of undecided voters was high, and in hindsight, I forgot that undecideds tend to break for the challenger. Nevertheless, I blew the call. But that’s OK. I’m told that the D challenger is a strong one and certainly Stall should be easier to beat than Williams would have been.
Quayle over Ramsey, Heretick over Bouchard. These we easy calls. The winners will meet in November. This is going to be a tough race.
Weems v Stolle. In picking this race, I figured Weems had a better shot, being that she has been an elected official for some time and was the top vote getter in her last race. But the Stolle machine kicked into high gear, giving little brother Chris the victory. This makes the race for Democrat Joe Bouchard a bit tougher.
McEachin over Lambert. Benny got what he deserved. He should have never endorsed George Allen, no matter how he felt about Jim Webb. Conduct unbecoming an elected Democrat.
Stosch over Blackburn, Hanger over Sayre. Proof that there is some reasonableness in the Republican party.
O’Leary over James. Another easy call. I’m surprised James got as many votes as he did.
Joannou over Light. This is the race I followed the most. Back in March, when I first talked to Light, we agreed it would be a tough race. Since then, I’ve talked to supporters of both candidates and it increasingly looked like Joannou would win this race. Even with Mark Warner and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim supporting him, I just didn’t think that Light could pull it out. I predicted at the Norfolk City Committee picnic last Sunday that Joannou would win by 10 – the margin was 18. More on this race in another post.
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One race that I didn’t make a prediction on was the 74th House race for the seat vacated by now Senator Don McEachin. The result – a win by permanently disbarred attorney Joe Morrisey – is just shocking to me.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
If all of that information at the linked page about Morrisey is correct . . . are you fucking *kidding* me? What kind of brain-opponents – wait, make that brain-dead *electorate* – lets someone like that info office?
Okay, Green Party, time to be useful. This office shouldn’t go to a Republican, but jesus this man shouldn’t be seated in the legislature.
As far as I know, all the stuff in that post about Morrisey is true. I didn’t realize until tonight that the race in the 74th had 4 black candidates and one white candidate – Morrisey. Some think that is the reason he won.
Unfortunately, there is no way for anyone else to get on the ballot. The filing deadline was 7pm 6/12 – so the only alternative is a write-in candidate.
I’d say somebody needs to start campaigning now.
Joe Morrissey! Yes, it’s all true. He should be working at a fast food restaurant somewhere, not running for office! How much lower can they go?
I used to work with Joe only a couple of months ago. From the time I spent working with him, he was a very nice, personable individual. Certainly his past is somewhat jaded, but one thing I have seen from Democrats is that you guys always seem to love to parade how a person has overcome their demons of the past.
How else do you explain Marion Barry in DC? Only a convicted drug user could get elected Mayor in DC! And the evidence is clear he was guilty!
If Joe is capable of the job, then let him do it. Let him prove his case!
VJP, I don’t think it was the Stolle machine. Sure Ken’s money and boots on the ground helped. I think Carolyn’s big mouth came back to bite her.
Two issues killed her; she attacked military familes, not a good thing to do in a district full of retired military. The other was the fact that Carolyn tried to put Thoroughgood area in the Bayside attendance zone when she was on the school board. An area which Leo’s influence should have helped turned into a 60-40 for Stolle.
It is tougher for Joe, but the GOP is divided and Leo could hold a grudge and keep what’s left of his machine in the garage. Two moderates, what does a conservative do?
The Stolle machine helped – you acknowledge that. And I agree – that wasn’t all of it – that’s why I called it a “quick recap” 😉
I’d think there’s a reasonable chance that Carolyn will lose her seat on the school board based on what she’s said about military families in reference to Stolle. At some points it was pointed out that not only did Stolle not pay state income taxes, but that his kids also went to college on in-state tuition. If Beach voters remember it, taking on military families in our state and local school systems will be the nail in Carolyn Weems political coffin.
S’long, Carebear.
I worked the polls here in Aragona Precinct the last 5 1/2 hours for Carolyn. She won here 121-90.
What should worry Stolle about it was that some of the comments made lead me to believe many Weems voters won’t vote Stolle in November.
Bouchard can win if:
1. He can raise enough money.
2. He runs and effective GOTV effort in the south and west of the 83rd. Those are precincts with large minority concentrations, but that have poor turnout records.
Joe won. He deserves another chance, just like Marion Barry had. I was amazed how Barry was elected mayor again despite his many disgraces including a coke bust. Obviously Democrats have a huge bank of forgiveness and it should be shown to Joe as well. Look how Bill Clinton is still warmly embraced despite embarrassing his wife and child with his horrendous behaviour outside of marriage; the Whitewater scandal and more. The list goes on. There’s no reason why Morrissey can’t have another shot at proving himself. He has a strong multi-ethnic support base and is a driven personality who will get things accomplished. Give him the opportunity to do so.