Legislative Black Caucus reception

I took some time away from the impending tax filing deadline (hey – a gal deserves a little break 😉 ) to attend the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus reception Tuesday night in Richmond.  This event is always a good time and this year was no exception. Honored for his service to the Commonwealth was retiring, soon-to-be judge, Ken Melvin. Part of the presentation included a video of the delegate, speaking on the House floor. While it was very hard to hear in there, I believe this is the video.

All of three of the gubernatorial candidates – Brian Moran, Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe – were in attendance along with LG candidates Jody Wagner, Mike Signer and Jon Bowerbank. Offering remarks was Governor Tim Kaine.

Given that the legislature is back in session Tuesday for the veto session, many of them were in attendance. I’m not about to even try to name all of the legislators that I got a chance to chat with because I’m bound to leave someone out 😉

Robin Abbott, the recently announced candidate in the 93rd, was there as well. As pleasant in person as she was on the phone, Abbott made her way around the room. There was a real buzz in the air about her candidacy. Everyone that I talked to was anxious to meet her and are looking forward to ber election in November.

I also got a chance to meet Gabe Morgan, who is running for Sheriff in Newport News. We only spoke briefly but I hope to get with him for an interview soon.

There was some chatter about who will run for Ken Stolle’s seat, should he be elected sheriff in November. The two names I heard mentioned were former Senator Sonny Stallings and Virginia Beach attorney Jeffrey Breit. I have previously heard that Stallings would not run but it seems that may not be the case. (I wonder how his defense of recently indicted Dave Iwans will play with Virginia Beach Democrats.)

No word on who on the Republican side may run for this seat. The district is a Republican-leaning one, but there is a sense that the right Democratic candidate can win.

I got a chance to follow up on a couple of rumors that have been floating around the blogosphere. First, I talked to Creigh Deeds about the whole “dropping out of the race” thing. Deeds says he no longer reads the blogs so he wasn’t aware of this meme but that he’s not dropping out.  Second, I talked to Jody Wagner about her staff saying this was happening. She knew nothing about it.

Oh yeah – and I thanked the Governor for finally pardoning Arthur Whitfield. (Apparently part of the delay was the witness who insisted – despite the DNA evidence – that Whitfield was her rapist.)

The band was great, the food even better and the company the best. If you’ve not attended one of these before, by all means put it on your calendar for next year. It’s a whole lot of fun.

And sorry – no pics. I just didn’t feel like carrying a camera.