T
he election in Norfolk’s Ward 7 took on a different tone yesterday when the winning candidate, Angelia Williams, distributed a sample ballot which contained the picture of her alongside Congressman Bobby Scott. Poll workers were overheard telling voters that Scott, who was also up for re-election, had endorsed Williams. I was told by others that this was not true.
In a phone call to Scott’s office this morning, I was told that the Congressman did not endorse any candidate in the Ward 7 race. Several of the candidates took pictures with the Congressman at his annual Labor Day event and while he gave permission for the photo to be used, his office reiterated that he did not endorse.
After the Sessoms situation two years ago, we know what effect fliers can have on voters. This one contained the required “paid for and authorized by” disclaimer, so no penalties are going to occur.
It remains perfectly legal to mislead voters, though.
I’ve seen the flier and will post it as soon as I get a copy. UPDATE: Here it is – click to enlarge
I wondered HOW she got so many votes.
Posted by akesling | Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 1:35 pmBecause she’s a “UVA Alumni”,right?
Posted by Orfcitizen | Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 1:50 pmI was going to comment about the similarity to a flyer that was distributed last year that made “headlines”. But decided better.
Posted by Doug Knack | Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 8:24 pmI’d bet the same printer printed both flyers.
Posted by William Bailey | Thursday, November 4, 2010, 7:38 amI doubt this. This one was probably contracted to a very well known Norfolk printer, although I doubt he designed it. For one thing, there’s a union bug on it, which I don’t see on Vivian’s copy of the Sessoms flier.
Posted by Randy Klear | Thursday, November 4, 2010, 12:01 pm