… who needs enemies?
The photo at left shows Norfolk Councilman Randy Wright at a McCain/Palin rally. Sitting next to him is Pam Brown, the president of the Norfolk Republican Party, and, I’m told, one of the co-chairs of his campaign. In the blog post which accompanies the photo, Pilot writer Kerry Dougherty calls him “McAuliffe’s man.” But once McAuliffe lost the primary, Wright supported Republican Bob McDonnell.
From Sunday’s Compass, the Norfolk insert in The Virginian-Pilot:
Wright has been endorsed by every constitutional officer in the city
All of the constitutional officers in Norfolk call themselves Democrats.
Smigiel is a longtime Democrat with wide support in the party, yet Sen. Mark Warner, arguably the state’s most prominent Democrat, will host a fundraising event for Wright in Norfolk on March 19.
Tommy Smigiel has been working on campaigns since he was 15, including those of the current constitutional officers. He was a paid staffer on Mark Warner’s 2001 gubernatorial campaign.
I was about to call out the Norfolk City Democratic Committee for not endorsing one of their own, like the Newport News DC did when they endorsed in the mayoral race there. As it turns out, a close reading of the Virginia Democratic Party Plan (doc) shows that the section which deals with ousting of party members when they support another candidate (Sec. 10.8) only comes into play if the candidate is the party nominee. Most Hampton Roads localities prohibit, by city charter, partisan council elections, the result being that there are never any party nominees. This loophole needs to be closed. The Party Plan should treat endorsees just like nominees.
Yes, Smigiel has wide support in the Party, even if those at the top choose to support someone else. Smigiel has wide support – period – and with our help, will be victorious on May 4. Help him out.
Now – does that video below make more sense?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I am very supportive of Tommy’s run against Randy Wright. I feel strongly it is time for a change downtown. I am hopeful Tommy will be part if the change.
He and I don’t agree on everything, but I feel strongly he has the best interests of his Ward, and his city at heart. I ask that all candidates, and all voters, look at the needs of the city, as well as their Ward, in the decision making process.
I know there is a feeling throughout the city that the current council is not listening to the folks they should. There are feelings that the council makes decisions favoring one area over another. There is a “throw the bums out” sentiment. The fact that “Wright has been endorsed by every constitutional officer in the city” may backfire for Mr. Wright. While it is unrealistic to think we could have an almost complete turnover on council, we as citizens need to send a message to council. That message is that, a seat on council is no one’s rightful place, it needs to be earned.
I encourage everyone in Norfolk to educate himself about the issues, and use that education to help improve our city, which use to be the best run in the region.
Vivian:
Norfolk, not unlike many other localities has fistfuls of politicians who don’t subscribe to any party ideology. They slither up to the side that can assist their self-serving agenda. For, example Norfolk has a Democrat Circuit Court Clerk, who was once the Norfolk chairman of the Republican Party; who is also married to a Democratic House Delegate who formally worked for the Republican sheriff of Virginia Beach; who now works for the Democratic sheriff of Norfolk: who was previously Independant and previously Republican. Who, not to leave the circle uncomplete had the current Demorcatic Court Clerk as campaign manager prior to him becoming the Chairman of the Norfolk Reppublican Party. Whew!
As for Mr. Wright, he would support anyone that would get a salaried job in Commonwealth Transportation, but Thelma Drake beat him out on that play.
Now why would anyone partisan give a hoot who endorses who? Just expose people for what they are, and be done with it!
I think that when the HRT situation finally comes to light, those supporting Mr. Wright will be scrambling for cover. Back to your stand on ethics Vivian!
It’s shameful that so called elected democratic Constitutional Officers are supporting the Republican/Independent/I’ll be what ever you want as long as I can get your Vote Councilman Randy Wright instead of a true Democrat. As far as Senator Warner I beleive it’s because of poor staff work! At least I hope that what it is!!
One of the problems with blogging is that sometime we say thing that are just not right or conducive to constructive dialogue. In my previous post I discribed Mr Wright as a” Republican/Independent/I’ll be what ever you want as long as I can get your vote”. I was wrong to characterize Mr Wright in such a manner and I apologize to Mr. Wright
Good luck to you,Mr. Smigiel. By the announcement that all the constitutional officers in the city are endorsing Mr. Wright, you just got a little more help. And if Vivian’s twit about the mayor having a “poll in the field” is correct, that’s a significant signal that the incumbent mayor may be worried…and he should be, as should all incumbents with opponents. The citizens of Norfolk are tired of the “good ole boy” politics and for the first time in a long time, they have a chance to change that, but only if they educate themselves to the issues, talk about them with friends and neighbors, and get the vote out in May.
I cannot understand why Democrats can come out and support a person who consistently supports Republicans, including Congressman Glenn Nye’s potential opponent, Scott Rigell.
This sends the worst kind of message to members of Democratic committees across the state. You want to get involved? Slave away for campaigns during the summer, working for hours and hours for free? Great, but the Democratic Party will turn its back on you in heartbeat for someone who will almost certainly oppose other Democrats in the next election.
Those Democrats who have endorsed Councilman Wright should realize that they’re not only helping elect the wrong person to the Norfolk City Council, they’re actively working on the side of cronyism and revealing everything that is bad about politics. Those Democratic electeds that have endorsed Councilman Wright should be absolutely ashamed of themselves and should think twice before asking for help from the Democratic Party in the future.
Well, the message is that Mark Warner doesn’t deserve any reflexive support from Democrats. Obviously better than Gilmore, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to help him do much of anything.
What is really disturbing to me concerning the Norfolk Dems and and Randy Wright is how “in your face” his support is of the Republicans.
I clicked on the link to the blog post and found the commentary.
‘Pictured above is one Norfolk Councilman Randy Wright – on the left wearing a McCain/Palin sticker and standing with Norfolk GOP Chairwoman Pam Brown…..’ . and…” Wright said when I asked him about the picture in my files. “I voted for McCain-Palin. And I love Sarah Palin… she knew how to talk to regular people.”
Randy Wright has supported many Democrats in the past as well, including all of the above mentioned constitutional officers (I think). And since the council races are non-partisan, I’m not sure what difference it makes who endorses him, as far as party affiliation is concerned.
And for what it’s worth, it is perhaps unfair to call down the constitutional officers and Mark Warner on this. Algie Howell and Kenny Alexander have endorsed Wright as well.
Well, maybe there are three parties; Democrat, Republican, and Incumbent.
The first two are subdivisions of the third.
I think we should think twice about putting another city employee on city council. City employees tend to support greater spending and thus will have to support tax increases to balance the budget. Does Smigiel have a plan to lower spending and taxes? Will Smigiel vote to raise my real estate tax? I don’t think Smigiel will be as sensitive to this issue as Randy Wright.
Um, do you have anything to back up your assertion that “city employees tend to support greater spending,” like a survey somewhere?
Have you spoken to Smigiel about whether he has a plan to lower spending & taxes?
No need to speak to him. Smigiel’s website says it all. More spending to “fight to keep our neighborhoods safe.” More spending to “support our schools and children.” More spending to “ensure that our city government provides us with the neighborhood services.” Not a word about how to lower the tax burden. He’s a former teacher and a current Asst. Principal. Of course, he will fight for more public school spending. In his mind, $11,600 per student per year isn’t enough, even though the private school he attended in his youth has tuition rates ranging from $2120-$4220 per year. He’s no longer part of the 20% who teach and he thinks more money should be spent on the 80% of NPS employees who don’t teach. It’s obvious this guy will support tax increases to pay the NPS bill, no matter how bloated the NPS bill becomes.
So in other words, you only have you interpretation of what you believe to be true. No facts to back it up.
You’re entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts.
Fact is Smiegiel’s website says nothing about real estate tax relief. Randy Wright fought for (via Norfolk Tea Party) real estate tax relief and he appropriately takes credit for that on his website. If Smigiel supported real estate tax relief, he would have it on his website. He doesn’t have it there, therefore he doesn’t support it. All facts. I’m entitled to my opinion and you’re entitled to your opinion. But you’re not entitled to hide/obscure the facts. Thank you for allowing me to post here. I hope people are reading and thinking.
“And I love Sarah Palin…she knew how to talk to regular people.”
Wonder what Randy’s going to write on his hands during the first debate…
Go Tommy, you will do a great job.
People can enumerate or point to actual accomplishments for Councilman Wright in Ward 5–can they say the same for Tommy Smiegel?
Tommy’s only accomplishment so far, is to become Teacher of the Year….well since we all know there are testing scandals in Norfolk Public Schools how much is that worth? I am sure this will come up in the candidate forums. Tommy is in deep with the Norfolk Public Schools system leadership as a Principal at Granby High School. This speaks directly to his credibility.
This does not absolve the members of Norfolk City Council of this testing scourge, but those in leadership in NPS need to answer. This is why people move to the Beach & Chesapeake to get way better schools. This is not a new observation.
It is interesting to note that Tommy’s website features the Pretty Lake Bridge–this is a project that Randy is largely responsible for getting the unique design for. He nixed VDOT’s design.
Um, the Granby HS principal is Ted Daugherty, not Tommy Smigiel. Granby has not been involved in any testing scandals.
Careful with that broad brush – council appoints the School Board – the “leadership” of NPS.
“Only accomplishment is teacher of the year”….wow, Pam is funny…
Try again….he was a NATIONAL FINALIST for teacher of the year….one of a handful from all 50 states.
My advice to “Pam” is do some homework..he’s got an impressive resume as an educator. As someone who has been involved with the community for years, a Father, a Husband, not to mention his deep roots in Norfolk…Tommy is more than qualified.
Vivian,
Sorry, my mistake–Assistant Principal.
Not trying to paint anybody with a broad brush–obviously Tommy is a great teacher. NPS needs to attract more of his caliber.
I still think he needs to address this testing scandal issue with his thoughts since he’s running for Council who appoints NPS School Board. Especially since it seems to be on the front page of the Pilot every other day.
Pam, good luck on trying to get him to comment on the cheating scandal. Can you imagine what will replace the apple on his desk if he does not defend the status quo in NPS?
If Tommy was interested in maintaining the status quo, why would he be the first to call for an elected school board?
Pam – I don’t disagree that he should address the scandal and no doubt he will. But both he and Randy support an elected school board – in fact, Tommy came out for it first – which will replace the appointed one.
Per RATtz: “I think we should think twice about putting another city employee on city council. City employees tend to support greater spending and thus will have to support tax increases to balance the budget. I don’t think Smigiel will be as sensitive to this issue as Randy Wright.” ANOTHER city employee? Explain that one, please.