The Virginian-Pilot profiled the candidates in the 89th House district race Friday. Incumbent Democrat Kenny Alexander faces the challenge of independent candidate Anthony J. Triplin. The Pilot raised some issues of judgments being rendered against Triplin, who is making his first run for office. But it appears that there are other issues as well.
I’ve previously mentioned the lack of expenditures on Triplin’s campaign reports. The last two, in fact, showed no expenditures. Of course, without an audit function on campaign financial reports, they can sometimes be pure fantasy, anyway.
The Pilot piece also missed a couple of things in its profile. First, Triplin is mentioned in this blog post as having filed paperwork to run for council in his hometown of Greensboro, NC. In case you were wondering – as was I – if it is the same Anthony Triplin, this followup post confirms it. Triplin told that blogger that the committee was formed in 2006 and that he had no plans to run; however, his committee filed a report on 7/29/09, as shown (click to enlarge).
In his bio, and as reported by the Pilot, Triplin claims ties to the Norfolk area, saying he lived here when his father was in the military. According to an obituary printed in the Greensboro News-Record on 1/24/96, Triplin’s father died 1/20/96 – when Anthony was but 11 years old – and served in the military from March 1968 to March 1969, long before Triplin was born. (The obit is behind a firewall but you can search the website and see a part of it.)
Now did Anthony Triplin actually “grow up” in Norfolk as his bio claims? I guess that is possible, but I’m told that the Norfolk Public Schools have no record of him having attended here. And his mother, who died last year, died in Greensboro. (Interestingly enough, Tripin reported a $3,500 contribution from his mother on 7/1/08, just five days before her death.)
Anthony Triplin seems like a nice guy – I’ve only met him once – but he has to know that stretching the truth on things that can easily be verified is a problem. I’m no researcher, but if I can find it, so can everyone else. Further, he should be aware that although no one is really looking, should a complaint be filed against him for falsifying his financial reports, someone will look. At the end of that road is a potential felony conviction, one that, in Virginia, would preclude him from even participating in our political system as a voter.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I’m curious as to why he was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice. The press release on the appointment was last June, but then the Pilot says he’s a former member. The appointments for citizens are four years; so what happened?
Vivian you did a great job on this article. Though there are things we are always finding out about this guy. On his old web site he used the Seal of Virginia. I believe the Commonwealth’s Office called him, and he had a meeting with her not so shortly after. Just something to think about.
As well, soliciting all of the Delegates while they were on the floor deliberating.
What about the false addresses he used during his campaign?
Oh the things you will hear from Mr. Triplin
I think this a case of a young man wanting to be something before he actually puts the time in on working at something. Having two active campaigns in two different states says to me he just wants to be elected. Recent elections have inspired many young people, but the point many are missing is elective office should stem from a demonstration of public service. Del. Alexander has represented us well and will continue to do so, Mr. Triplin should watch, learn, and be honest about his experience in the future.
Exactly!