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Scott to face Libertarian, Republican challengers
There are at least 2 challengers in the running for Democrat Bobby Scott’s 3rd Congressional District seat this fall: previously announced Libertarian candidate James Quigley and Republican standard-bearer Chuck Smith.
Earlier this year, Candidate Smith was in the running for the Republican nomination for Virginia’s 2nd District, which seems to be his actual district of residence.
Since being elected to the seat in 1992, Scott has run unopposed 5 times; none of his 4 challengers have managed more than 31% of the vote.
Virginia’s 3rd congressional district covers all of the City of Portsmouth, parts of the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond, all of the counties of Charles City, New Kent, and Surry, and part of the counties of Henrico and Prince George.
Anybody but Scott!
Having a black opponent might cut into his majority somewhat. Being a black republican means he is not part of the local power structure.
I met his last black opponent, a very motivated conservative and Christian oriented woman. She had her headquarters just down the street from me. I think she got the 31%.
I’m amazed how far gerrymandering can go to guarantee a black candidate’s victory. In some places they use to call that apartheid.
That district is ridiculous. I bet some others look worse but that is ridiculous. I found it odd that I moved 75 miles and was still in his district but now I see why.
Hear, hear…anybody but Scott!
PS- John, your bias is showing. Scott is labeled a “Democrat”, Quigley is labeled a “Libertarian”, but Smith is a “Republican standard bearer”. Care to elaborate on your delineation?
Paul–Just the obligatory “both sides do it” comment–gerrymandering helps secure white candidates’ victories too. Not saying it’s right, but it happens on both sides.
In Texas, Tom DeLay came up with a plan to re-draw districts that dramatically altered representation and ensured that white Republicans would represent communities that otherwise previously had been part of districts that voted Democratic.
@kaykay – I wasn’t trying to imply anything there, I was just trying to avoid using the word “candidate” again in the same sentence.
Mark,
Gerrymandering is universal in Virginia and in most states, but there is ironic collaberation between Repulicans and many black democrats. By segregating voters in to majority black districs, potentional democractic voters are drained from swing districts, making them safe Republican districts. A more rational district alignment process would (could) result in candidates that represent a broader outlook on the issues. As it is they are both preaching to the choir.
Thanks for the expansion, John. “Standard bearer” has a much different implication than, oh, say, “hopeful” or “contender”.
Anyhow, I sincerely appreciate your running this piece. I have not found anything in the RTD regarding the race (I searched their database, and can only find reported that the above named candidates have registered to run), am not a regular reader of the Richmond Free Press nor Style Weekly. My readership is a testament to you, CHPN, its contributors, and the other community blogs. I get the best information on events/happenings/crimes in Richmond’s (possesive form)neighborhoods from these pages than any other source.
Safire says that standard bearer means “the candidate at the top of the ticket, who carries the nomination of his party as his standard.” Given that there aren’t any bigger races than the congressional seats in this area this autumn, my use seems accurate.
I’m not aware of any other implications & have always taken it to mean a representative of a party or organization, a use that seems to be common [1] [2] [3], and how I used the phrase previously in describing the local Democratic office holders.
Safire’s work was never intended to replace the common usage and usual definition of words. The phrase carries with it the connotation of being the definitive leader, and thus, inflexible, party leader. It is a phrase (even according to Safire)usually reserved for the President and Vice President.
#2 – apartheid was an institutionalized system of racial preference that took people’s land, sent many people unjustly to prison and death, stripped people of their freedom of movement, freedom to marry whomever they chose, etc. etc.
It’s problematic to suggest that gerrymandering is analogous.
Stop trying to cover it up John! Your bias as a member of the MSM, state controlled, drive by media shows!! I’ll bet you’re a member of Journolist plotting to help your left wing candidates by abusing your influential position in the media!!! Oh, you’re in high cotton now Murden, but soon your media empire will come crashing down as citizens unite in resistance to your perfidy!!!! Things are just going to get hotter, whether you use your A/C or not!!!!!
You’ve completely outed me 🙂
Matthew,
You are correct about what apartheid was. Since then it has entered the cultural lexicon and is more commonly used in referring to sexism, racism and other forms of descrimination, sort of like the term genocide which is also widely applied.
You were already “outed”.
Will there be a town meeting, meet n’ greet, debate, question and answer forum with the three candidates? I’d like to know more.
Just found the candidates websites:
http://www.bobbyscottforcongress.com/
http://jamesquigley4congress.com/
http://www.chucksmith2010.com/
Republicans drew VA-03. For a reason. It’s appears to be THE most gerrymandered district in America, not contiguous AND crossing 2 bodies of water.
Republicans didnt create the 3rd.
From Wikipedia…..”The district’s current configuration dates to 1993, when the Justice Department ordered Virginia to create a majority-minority district. At that time, portions of the old 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th districts were combined to create a new 3rd District. Some minor changes were made as a result of a 1997 federal court decision that the old 3rd was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, but its boundaries have been largely unchanged since 1993.”
And yes…it’s one of the most gerrymandered districts in the country.
I am so incredibly mad at Bobby Scott that I have volunteered for a political campaign for the first time in my life. Chuck Smith is a good guy who would represent the 3rd with a new sense of honor and fiscal responsibility. Please consider contributing to him.
GO CHUCK SMITH!
Gray you were inquirring info on debates / forums / Meet & greets with the 3rd district candidates. Well here are a few that I know of.
Sept. 20 2010 11am to 1 pm
“on the Green” @ Tidewater Community College
Sept. 30 2010 7pm to 9 pm
Faith Baptist Church
1629 Jolliff Road
Chesapeake, VA
Oct. 3 Meet & Greet w/ James Quigley
please contact campaign for additional info. 757 746 8270 or JamesQuigley4Congress@gmail.com
Oct. 9 2010
Tea Party Debate @ Richmond Convention Center. Their times keep changing, look at campaign website as date gets closer.
Oct. 14 2010 6pm to 8 pm
Charles City Courthouse ( Govt./School Administration Building)
10900 courthouse Rd
Charles City VA 23030
Oct. 15 2010 6pm to 8 pm
Hampton City Council Chambers (8th Floor)
22 Lincoln Street
Hampton VA
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact James Quigley, Libertarian Candidate for 3rd Congressional District!
JamesQuigley4Congress@gmail.com
I hope this helps! Have a great night everyone!
John is correct in stating that Chuck Smith lives in the 2nd district and first unsuccessfully ran for the party nod there before giving up and creating a vote splitting situation with REAL 3rd district resident Libertarian, James Quigley.
Makes me wonder. What district does Chuck Smith REALLY want to represent?
I support JAMES QUIGLEY!
I SUPPORT JAMES QUIGLEY!!!
It’s time to restore the Constitution and bring freedom back to America, and in the era of the Tea Party Movement now is the time to act! James Quigley is the ONLY man for the job, the other candidates just don’t compare!
http://jamesquigley4congress.com/
Remember in November!
A candidate forum has been announced for 10/19 at the RIchmond Crusade for Voters meeting: http://northrichmondnews.com/2010/10/13/richmond-crusade-for-voters-to-host-candidate-forum/