In a potentially crushing blow to Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Viola Baskerville, the Richmond Crusade for Voters (RCV) today endorsed Baskerville's rival Leslie Byrne. What makes this so painful for Baskerville, an African American from Richmond, is that the RCV was specifically founded in 1956 with the goal of increasing the influence of African-Americans in the political process in Virginia's capital city. If any group should have endorsed Viola Baskerville in this year's Democratic Lt. Governor's race, it was the RCV. But it didn't.The fact that the RCV threw its support -- by a vote of 40 to 28 -- behind Leslie Byrne was, in the words of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, a choice of "pragmatism over sentiment." Warren Kennedy, the Crusade's research committee chairman, rubbed salt in Baskerville's wounds by declaring that "Mrs. Baskerville's legislative record is very questionable on issues that are important to the community." Ouch!
I have asked the Lt. Governor campaigns for comment on this endorsement, and so far have received the following response from Byrne's campaign manager, Joe Shafer:
We are honored to receive the endorsement of the Richmond Crusade for Voters. It is an organization founded in 1956 that has sought to increase the influence of African-Americans in the political process in Richmond. They put a great deal of thought and research into their endorsements, so it is a tremendous honor to have their support.Leslie Byrne?s campaign has been about who has the best experience and track record of effectiveness on issues like education, health care, transportation, and the environment. The Richmond Crusade for Voters recognizes that Sen. Byrne is uniquely qualified to be Virginia?s Lt. Governor and to help elect Tim Kaine this fall, and we are pleased to have them by our side.
I would be interested in comments from the other Lt. Governor campaigns, especially Viola Baskerville's of course. In the meantime, I've got to wonder if Mrs. Baskerville is busy muttering "Et tu, Richmond Crusade for Voters?" under her breath.
[UPDATE: The Baskerville campaign says, on the record: "This endorsement is nothing more than retribution for Viola's endorsement of Jennifer McClellan over Crusade Chairman Melvin Law. The people of Richmond know how much she has done for the community, they have always supported her and they will support her in this primary.]