Little has been written about the upcoming Democratic primary in the 90th House District here in Hampton Roads. Incumbent Algie Howell is facing a challenge from political newcomer Rick James.
The newly redrawn 90th lost several precincts – four in Chesapeake and two in Norfolk – while picking up six in Virginia Beach and three other Norfolk precincts. While signs don’t vote, as I’ve traveled around the city, I’ve seen only Howell signs and no James signs. At various political events that I’ve recently attended, I generally see one or the other candidate but not both.
I don’t live in the 90th, but this has to be one of the lowest profile races I’ve seen in a long time. I cannot locate a website for either candidate, making it difficult for the voters to find out about them. There are over 45,000 registered voters in this district, although very low turnout is expected. (The last time Howell was challenged in a primary, in 2005, only 1,710 votes were cast.)
With no Republican challenger at this point, this primary is the election. I hope the voters in the 90th are aware of the primary and go out to vote.
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
UPDATE: Rick James’ website is here (thanks JW).
UPDATE #2: Apparently, the above is not the current campaign website for James. (They should take it down, then.) The official website, I’m told, is here.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I have seen James signs in front of a few small businesses on Virginia Beach Boulevard, as well as in front of the Firefighters Union hall. (They have endorsed him.) Howell signs in business locations are much more pervasive. I haven’t been through too many neighborhoods in the 90th recently so I can’t say what’s going on there.
Howell also has a TV ad out. It’s pretty straightforward: Algie looking into the camera, saying I’ve served the people of this district for 10 years, I’d like to continue to serve, please vote for me. His body language could be better. It was running during a Cox ad break on ESPN in the middle of a Red Sox-Yankees game. I don’t know if the campaign was able to place that, but it wasn’t bad exposure.
All in all, though, it has been a very quiet campaign. There’s not a lot of press coverage, and certainly not the kind of blog chatter the Dem primaries in NoVa are getting.
Just remember, at the end of the day “Signs don’t vote”….(But the Red Sox (woot) & Dark empire game) must have cost a pretty penny…This race could be won on the field….oops….DVPA doesn’t allow access to the VAN for challengers.
And in this day and age, websites are EASY…heck NPG will throw one together for you….
When I took Campaigns & Elections as an undergrad, it’s amazing how many things from decades ago still ring true!
Vivian,
Obviously we don’t run in the same circles: as a Virginia Beach voter who was just redistricted into the 90th (from the 83rd), I’ve seen many more James signs than Howell signs. (Randy’s VB Blvd. sightings are on my home bus route.)
Yes, I was at James’ website a couple weeks ago. It spoke it generalities, giving few specifics.