Purged by GOP, Should Bell & Williams Consider Independent Runs?
By: TheGreenMiles
Published On: 6/15/2007 9:35:53 AM
After moderates Tim Kaine and Jim Webb defeated hardcore conservatives Jerry Kilgore and George Allen in November, the Republican Party of Virginia learned its lesson. And apparently that lesson was, "We're still not as extremist as we could be."
So the Virginia Conservative Action PAC set about purging the party of moderates, and in Tuesday's primary, they succeeded:
Two key moderate Republicans lost their seats in the Virginia Senate yesterday: Martin E. Williams (Newport News), chairman of the influential Senate Transportation Committee, and J. Brandon Bell II (Roanoke). Challengers Patricia B. "Tricia" Stall and Ralph K. Smith accused the incumbents of betraying the Republican Party by siding with Democrats to raise taxes.
Sen. Bell gained prominence as a key sponsor of the Indoor Clean Air Act, which would ban smoking in Virginia bars and restaurants.
With turnout estimated at just five percent for Tuesday's primary, other Republicans are already worried that the choices of a small cadre of party faithful may not be as palatable to voters in the general election:
But Democrats and even some Republicans say the conservatives might regret their decisions come Nov. 6. Democrats need to pick up four seats to regain control of the Senate.
"In a small turnout election, these voters can make a difference. But in a general election, they may get swallowed up," said retiring Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr. (R-Fairfax).
Williams lost to Tricia B. Stall, who has signed a petition expressing support for "ending government involvement in education."
Even though Stall will be running in a reliably Republican district, party leaders fear that she is so conservative it could be nearly impossible for them to keep a Democratic candidate from picking up the seat. Top Republican senators plan to meet with Stall in a few days.
If their own party doesn't want then, should Sens. Bell and Williams consider independent runs to hold their seats? After all, Republicans thought it was swell when Joe Lieberman did it.
Comments
tell them not to bother to run... (lgb30856 - 6/15/2007 9:49:06 AM)
they will split the ticket and then the dems will take it for sure.
Not allowed (Bill Kuster - 6/15/2007 9:49:37 AM)
This is not allowed under Virginia law. If you participate in a general party primary you cannot lose and then run as an independent. The filing date was the same date as the primary. They have this option in 4 years should they wish to chose it.
So what? (TheGreenMiles - 6/15/2007 9:52:33 AM)
Virginia law bans write-ins?
No but (Vivian J. Paige - 6/15/2007 11:03:44 AM)
I consider a write-in different from an independent. Semantics, I guess.
Really a tough way to run, too.
This is our time (Bill Kuster - 6/15/2007 10:07:56 AM)
This is our time to win these seats back outright. The 1st is the historic home of Hunter Andrews - we don't need Rinos in the race to steal votes - a Democrat can win both of these seats - remember turnout will be low in November.
Agreed (TheGreenMiles - 6/15/2007 10:17:19 AM)
From a liberal perspective, I totally agree. But it's an interesting question for these moderates. If the GOP won't have them, what do they do? Become moderate Dems in the Webb mold? Consider forming a third party?
moderate (martha - 6/15/2007 11:12:34 AM)
Since when did Brandon Bell become a moderate?
No Third Party or Independent (Teddy - 6/15/2007 11:25:44 AM)
Candidates, please. Do not Ralph Nader these elections.
This is an opportunity to return these seats to Democratic control. Turnout will be low in off-year November elections, it is altogether too possible that, with a third party or independent candidate in the race, the godawful extreme right winger could win if the sensible middle of the road vote is split. Remember re-districting is coming up. Remember the citizens of these districts deserve beter representation than that offered by nutcase righties. Leave well enough alone. The republicans are good at eating their young, so let 'em.