…didn’t vote themselves. Seems that nine local candidates for city councils in the region have missed voting in some elections, including all three from Norfolk’s Ward 2. One, sitting Virginia Beach councilman Richard Maddox, didn’t vote in last November’s election:
He said he was discouraged by what he perceived as negative campaign tactics by Republican Jerry W. Kilgore, who lost the gubernatorial election to Democrat Timothy M. Kaine.
“It’s not an excuse,” Maddox said, “but I was personally disgusted by it.
Um Earth to Maddox – that wasn’t the only race on the ballot. Not voting in a council election when there are no challengers is one thing; not voting when the entire House of Delegates is up for re-election is another.
Michael Osburn, challenger to Randy Wright in Norfolk’s Ward 5 had the best excuse for not voting in three recent elections: he was in the Navy.
“I was probably out to sea,” he said. “Voting is important, but it’s not necessarily your top priority when you’re overseas serving your country.”
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 