When candidates run for office, one of the first things that gets looked at is their voting record. The records don’t show who the person voted for, but they show voting frequency. Most importantly, they show primary votes, which is an indication of whether the person is a Democrat or a Republican.
When I saw my voting record in 2005, it reflected that I was a Republican. This was based on my voting in the 2000 Republican primary, which I admit to doing. It also shows that I voted in Republican primaries in 1996 and 1997. If there was a Republican primary in 1996, the SBE website doesn’t show it. The 1997 Republican primary was for AG, and it is possible that I went to vote, but I honestly have no memory of it. Somehow, though, my vote in the 2004 Democratic primary was not recorded. I know that I voted in that one.
Voting is a privilege that I exercise whenever I can. But like many, that doesn’t mean that I have voted in every election. I’m sure I’ve missed a few in past years. Outside of active party participants, most folks have missed a few. With more and more candidates coming from outside of the party structure, it’s bound to come out that they have missed votes, or they have voted in the other party’s primary.
Which brings me to Hank Giffin, Republican challenger to Delegate Paula Miller in the 87th. I understand that Hank’s voting record reflects that he voted in the 2005 Democratic primary, as well as some missed votes. (The local Republican party will likely want an answer about his missed vote in 2001. That year, in addition to the gubernatorial race, the House of Delegates races included the 87th, in which Thelma Drake was running.) If you recall, the Republican and Democratic primaries were held on the same day in 2005, forcing people to choose one or the other. Why, one might ask, would a solid Republican like Hank vote in a Democratic primary, especially when local guy Bob McDonald was on the Republican ballot for AG? I think it boils down to the subtitle of this blog – All Politics is Local.
I believe most folks identify as being a Republican or a Democrat based on what the party stands for. It is certainly the reason why I am a Democrat. The core values of the Democratic Party align with my own views. But when it comes down to local elections, the vote is based on the person. Who, besides the Democratic candidates for LG, was on the ballot in Norfolk in 2005? Me.
There were more votes for the Treasurer’s primary (4,179) than there were for the LG primary (4,071). Was Hank among the 108 folks that didn’t vote for LG? I don’t know. Did Hank go and vote for me? That possibility is very likely. Although I do not know Hank and his wife, Stevie, very well, I do know that they supported my campaign.
Does that make Hank a “bad” Republican? Of course not. Not any more than it makes me a “bad” Democrat because I voted in the 2000 Republican primary. These kinds of litmus tests are part of the reason that so few people are willing to run. And if the state Republican Party gets their way, folks like Hank won’t even be allowed to run, because he voted in a Democratic primary in the last five years. Who does such stuff benefit? Certainly not the voters.
Don’t think, by the way, that I’m not going to be as hard on Hank for his stands on the issues as I would any other Republican challenger. I will be. That’s what the elections should be about: the issues.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian,
I’m not sure why SBE wouldn’t show it, but yes there was a GOP primary in 1996. I think by the time we actually go around to it, Dole already had all he needed to secure the nomination.
DOH! I need more coffee.
1996 was the John Warner/James Miller Senate Primary.
Well, a lot of people voted in that one.
Odd that you’d print so much detail about something you say doesn’t matter.
VJP – Do you think, now that Hank is a candidate for Republican office, that he will be proud to say he supported you the Democrat for Treasurer?
If you voted in the 2000 Republican Primary that is fine. However, you did not point out that their was not a Democratic Primary going on at the same time. You didn’t have to choose. Hank had a choice and he chose the Democratic primary. I think one could question his loyalty to the Republican Party.
I find that to be a completely silly argument, orfdem. How does voting in the Democratic Primary hurt the Republican candidates or the Republican Party?
It makes sense to me that, if you like the candidates in your own party, but particularly dislike a candidate for the other party, you would go vote against the person you dislike, just in case your party does not win in the general election.
We have this problem in Virginia Beach because we do not always have a full slate of candidates. I did Kids Voting for a number of years, and it’s kind of hard to explain to the kids that this is the only person running for a certain office. That needs to change.
I agree, Vivian, that usually the hyperpartisan analysis of primary voting is often pretty silly. I’ve missed a couple of elections, myself–in fact I’ve missed a Presidential several years back while I was out of the country when my absentee forms never caught up with me. And I also voted in the 2000 Republican Primary (which doesn’t make either you or me less of a democrat: if you also voted for McCain, it means you and I have been voting against George W. Bush since our earliest opportunity).
Why I sometimes DO pay attention to voting records is that I’m often dubious about someone who is an infrequent voter. Why should I think that someone takes the office he’s running for seriously if he didn’t care enough to vote for it in prior elections? If a candidate can’t be troubled to vote with some regularity in elections once or twice a year, why should I expect him to take voting seriously when he has to do it every day during session? And most importantly: if he doesn’t take his vote seriously, why should I expect him to take my vote as a constituent seriously?
I find this VERY troubling. Our party had a lot of great candidates on the ballot in 05; true conservatives like LG Bill Bolling and our AG Bob McDonnell. The fact that this guy thought that getting the right Republicans at the top of ticket wasnt “that big of deal” shows that he has no buisness representing real repulicans here in Virginia. Sounds like just another RINO.
As to comment 9, and the consternation that this guy failed to vote in the Republican 2005 primary –
It is entirely possible that he looked at the Republican slate of candidates and polling data and came to the reasonable conclusion that Kilgore, Bolling, and McDonnell would handily win their respective primaries. Perhaps firm in THAT knowledge, he chose to cast his vote where he thought it could make a significant difference in his daily life – for Vivian.
Was that the case? I have no idea. But being astute enough to know that Kilgore would defeat Fitch and McDonnell would stomp Baril doesn’t exactly make one a RINO.
While it may be troubling that some has a spotty voting record, I do not find it troubling that someone would vote in the other parties primary.
There are many in Virginia Beach who voted against Del. Purkey in the 05 primary just as there are many who voted for Sen. McCain in 2000.
Nothing is as simple as black and white.
I thought about voting in the Republican Primary in 2005 for Delegate. I ended up not doing so. I don’t think anyone should be killed for what primary they decide to vote in. Who cares? People have their reasons to do so. I agree though that not voting could be a sign of trouble.
We are not talking about just “people” in general. We are talking about a candidate for office. Looking at their vote history and loyalty is important. Hank Giffin is supposed to be Mr. Conservative. He supports vouchers for private schools and cutting taxes. By voting in a Democratic Primary when a Republican Primary was going on at the same time should have some Republicans who are funding his campaign question his loyalty.
I am a Democrat. I could have voted in the 2000 Republican Primary and chose not to. I thought about it. But I also thought that by voting in the Republican Primary I am in some degree signaling that I support a Republican candidate. When a caucus is held by either party, you are usually required to sign a pledge that says that you support the party and its causes. Unfortunately you do not have to do that in a primary.
So, between this guys blank issues page and now this, does anyone know why he is actually running? Also, I hope he isnt counting on any favors from McDonnell or Bolling. Geez.