Kind of a catchy title on my latest op-ed, which appeared in Wednesday’s paper. Now you know where my Mississippi post came from 😉 I ran across it as I was researching which other states have elections this year.
Outside of doing something about the legislators drawing the redistricting lines, I think we have to come up with a solution to the off-year elections in redistricting years. The time frame is simply too short.
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There have been some new candidate filings since I wrote my article, among them Chad Green, who is running against newly elected Del. Gordon Helsel in the 91st district. Helsel, who won his seat in a special election, has been a member of the House for less than a month. Heck, he cast his first votes this week! Legislative Information Services links his legislation to that of his predecessor, Tom Gear. I’m not sure what issues Green will be able to use against the “voting record” of Helsel when it is so thin.
UPDATE: As VPAP notes, the candidate filings are based on their addresses in the current districts, not the new ones. I have been told that Chad Green actually lives within the new 93rd district lines, so he will not be challenging Helsel.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Vivian are you sure it wasnt referring to Chad in the special. the new 91st (unless they’ve changed it since the plan that was engrossed tuesday) no longer included Chad’s district. He lives in Seaford.
Chad is a nice guy, but Gordon Helsel is a true class act. if somehow this is true I hope Gordon runs away with it
Not, not Chad in the special. This is a new filing. I’ve updated my post, though, to reflect the info I received this morning that he lives in the new 93rd district.
Ok Maybe he moved. Seaford is in 96th, but then again the maps keep changing. Thanks for keeping me posted.
Rick James vs Algie Howell is going to be a great race to watch in Norfolk. Besides the Northam race, it will probably be the only interesting one in our area.
And who is going to run against Northam? Unless there is a challenger, it’s going to be a very quiet fall.
I’ve heard some rumblings about a couple of people. I know one is wobbling between challenging him or Lewis. I don’t think anyone really has a chance against him though, the Eastern Shore pretty much gives him on a lock on that seat.
Hmmm, that’s interesting. The new 93rd leans Republican but is still a competitive seat. Del. Abbott told me the other day she hasn’t decided about moving into it yet.
Yeah, I think it’s a competitive seat, too.
Redistricting Update: 4th, or maybe it’s the 5th, iteration of the Senate plan puts Williamsburg’s two precincts in seperate Senate districts.
Great, a possible teabagger from blood red York County representing a large swath of my blue city.
Newport News might have 2 of its 3 delegates republican while we vote 60% for Democrats. Oh well, get ready to roll Robin!!!!