Richmond area politics from inRich.com

Jones offers tentative blessing to McQuinn

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

Freshly re-elected Richmond Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn is emerging as the favorite to succeed Del. Dwight Clinton Jones in the House of Delegates, a shift that would give mayor-elect Jones allies in City Hall and the state house.

It's official: Jones wins election

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

Del. Dwight Clinton Jones was confirmed as Richmond's mayor-elect late last night after city officials took a week to count votes from the Nov. 4 election.

McQuinn says she's being asked to run for Jones' seat

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:08:57 -0500

McQuinn Nelson Del. Dwight Clinton Jones' House of Delegates seat hasn't cooled, but jockeying to fill it is heating up. Jones appears to have locked up the Richmond mayoralty, but he has yet to resign his seat representing the 70th House District, which includes parts of Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties. Nevertheless, political ambitions are being revealed.

Richmond expected to finalize vote totals today

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

The votes cast in Richmond during last Tuesday's elections are expected to be finalized today.

McAuliffe announces statewide tour

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:08:57 -0500

Terry McAuliffe, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is edging closer to a run for Virginia governor next year, setting up a committee to raise the millions of dollars necessary for a statewide campaign.

Thousands rally for Obama in Richmond

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama told a crowd of almost 20,000 that 'the change we need won't come easy.'

Richmond still counting mayoral votes

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

The counting of votes in Richmond's mayoral race dragged into its fourth day, with the Richmond branch of the NAACP expressing frustration yesterday over why it's taking so long.

Hill-Christian, Leighty to lead Jones' team

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

Richmond Mayor-elect Dwight Clinton Jones has enlisted former Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Hill-Christian and William Leighty, former chief of staff to Govs. Timothy M. Kaine and Mark R. Warner to help guide his transition into City Hall.

Final vote tally not ready in Richmond

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:09:58 -0500

Richmond's mayoral race may not be over after all. While Del. Dwight Clinton Jones appears to have captured the five districts necessary to make him the next mayor, the city still does not have final vote totals.

In Richmond area, vote spurs mixed emotions

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:09:51 -0500

Barack Obama's election drew mixed reactions in the Richmond area yesterday. Some interviewees chosen at random celebrated him as a leader who will champion positive change, while others fear he will take the country in the wrong direction. Erin Spengeman, who lives in Richmond's Woodland Heights neighborhood, said she was overwhelmed with excitement to learn Tuesday night that Obama would be president, opening the way for endless possibilities for minority Americans.

Henrico says no to transit authority

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

The drive to create a regional transportation authority in the Richmond area has lost a wheel. Henrico County leaders told state legislators last night that they no longer support the creation of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority.

Jones' South Side base puts him close to mayor's office

Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

If the tangled vote tally holds up, Dwight Clinton Jones appears poised to become the Richmond rarity: a mayor from south of the James River. Jones won largely on his political strength on the city's South Side, where he took the 6th, 8th and 9th districts handily. No one's ready to say the balance of political power in Richmond has shifted from Main Street to Hull Street, but Jones' victory strikes a blow for an area that has seldom received its proper share of care.

Forbes re-elected to House in 4th

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:09:46 -0500

Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-4th, easily won in the district that spans from Hampton Roads to the Richmond suburbs.

Cantor handily wins re-election

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:09:46 -0500

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, had another easy re-election victory in one of the most Republican-leaning congressional districts in the country.

UDPATE: Final tally not quite ready in Richmond mayoral race

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:09:43 -0500

While Del. Dwight Clinton Jones appears to have captured the five districts necessary to make him the next mayor, the city still does not have final vote totals — including the breakdown of more than 6,300 absentee ballots that theoretically could flip the outcome in one or two pivotal districts.

Throng blocks off Broad Street to celebrate Obama victory

Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:02:25 -0500

Students filled the sidewalks in the Fan District and politicians fought back tears.

Jones declares victory; Pantele concedes

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 20:21:08 -0500

Del. Dwight Clinton Jones declared victory tonight in the Richmond's mayor's race in a speech to his supporters. His top rival, City Council President William J. Pantele, conceded late last night, saying that although there were ballots still to be counted, he didn't think they would change the result.

Early morning voting heavy in Hanover

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 16:24:34 -0500

By 9 a.m., the morning rush had subsided at Lee-Davis High School, which saw 600 voters pass through the polling place in a two-hour period.

BLOG: Anyone here for John McCain? And why Election day may be better than Christmas

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 16:18:38 -0500

Anyone here for John McCain? The rain soaked radio reporter asked with distressed hesitation. By the third time he yelled, you could hear the sarcasm soaking his voice.

In Henrico, Biden greets first-time voter who has sickle-cell anemia

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 15:03:42 -0500

Wayne Phillips voted for the first time today and received a personal thank you from his vice-presidential pick, Sen. Joe Biden. Phillips, 19, voted from the back seat of his aunt and uncle's car, where his sickle-cell anemia kept him confined. Shortly after Phillips cast his ballot for the Democratic presidential ticket, Biden's motorcade rolled into the parking lot at the Montrose Elementary School precinct.

Early Election Day voting in Midlothian

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 11:21:22 -0500

Early voters explain why it was important to wake up early this Election Day to vote.

Problems at the polls: Voting issues caused by weather, human error

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 07:02:30 -0500

Virginia appears poised for record turnouts at the polls today, as lines at some precincts were three or more hours long. Some precincts reported problems related to wet paper ballots and machine glitches.

RT-D exclusive: The latest from the polls

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 05:21:45 -0500

UPDATED 10:15 p.m. State Board of Elections says a record number of voters cast ballots today.

Voters beware: calls falsely warn of changed polls

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 05:05:14 -0500

With polls opening this morning, deceptive automated phone calls are attempting to mislead voters to the wrong polling places. It's a political trick often targeted to areas of low income voters. The State Board of Elections offers this advice: don't believe any caller who tries to tell you where your voting place is. If your polling place is changed, you won't find out in an unsolicited phone call.

Richmond School Board OKs open enrollment

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

Open enrollment is coming to Richmond's schools beginning next year -- but with a catch. The city's School Board passed its long-awaited enrollment policy last night by an 8-1 vote, opening the way for city parents to send their children to any school they choose.

Politics fashionable in Richmond

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:08:58 -0500

A decade ago, the prospect of a white mayor in Richmond caused a major controversy. At the time, the Richmond City Council chose a mayor from within its ranks, amid back-room dealing.

Petersburg, Colonial Heights residents to choose local leaders

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:08:56 -0500

Voters in Petersburg and Colonial Heights will elect City Council and School Board members today. Petersburg residents will choose City Council representatives in Wards 2, 4 and 6.

Richmond voters to elect mayor, City Council and School Board

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 00:08:56 -0500

Richmond voters go to the polls today to elect a mayor and members of the City Council and the School Board.

Getting ready for Election Day in Powhatan County

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 23:17:28 -0500

Watch as the Powhatan County Registrar's office readies for Election Day and hear from Inez Poe, Registrar of Powhatan County for 36 years.

Warner boosts both for board seat

Mon, 3 Nov 2008 00:08:56 -0500

During the weekend, former Gov. Mark R. Warner offered his support to an incumbent in a Richmond School Board race, a little more than a week after endorsing her opponent.

Kids head to the mock polls

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:09:53 -0400

Justin Arnold will vote for president twice this year -- once when it counts, and once when it doesn't. Both times, he'll vote for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Tens of thousands of Virginia students such as Arnold voted last week in mock elections at their schools, and in some cases, the results showed Obama ahead of Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Wait to vote early lasts hours

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:09:49 -0400

Some people stood in line for six hours yesterday to cast absentee ballots at Richmond City Hall. In eastern Henrico County, the line was so long that just before 2 p.m. voting officials delivered three additional voting machines to the Eastern Government Center.

Richmond mayoral race

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:09:45 -0400

Richmond voters head to the polls Tuesday to elect a mayor who figures to be a kinder, gentler successor to L. Douglas Wilder. After four years marked by dust-ups between Wilder, the City Council and School Board over the limits of mayoral powers, all four candidates are promising to bring a more genial style of leadership to City Hall.

Tri-Cities

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:09:45 -0400

Eight candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for four at-large seats on the City Council. The main focus in this city of nearly 18,000 residents has been the ailing economy and the effect on the local budget. The candidates:

Roland J. Fontaine, owner of a vending business, is retired from the Colonial Heights Police Department.

Richmond City Council

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:09:45 -0400

This year's Richmond City Council elections feature head-to-head contests for two incumbents, including a hard-fought race in the 3rd District, and a three-way battle for one open seat. In the 3rd, two-term incumbent Chris A. Hilbert is being challenged by Jonathan Davis. Hilbert was endorsed by the Richmond City Democratic Committee, while Davis picked up the backing of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

Richmond School Board

Sun, 2 Nov 2008 00:09:45 -0400

Richmond School Board terms are doubling in length, and the fight for them is as heated as ever. Of the nine seats, at least four will be filled by newcomers seeking the new four-year terms. The most intense race has been in the 4th District, represented for the past four years by outgoing board Chairman George P. Braxton II. The four candidates have engaged in a bruising battle, with blogs and other online missives setting the stage for who is most in favor of charter schools and other new ways of creating educational choices.

Some wait six hours to vote at City Hall

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 17:34:59 -0400

Some people stood in line for nearly six hours today to vote absentee at Richmond City Hall. "I've been here since 10 a.m.," Damon Coleman said about 3:50 p.m. at the head of a line that snaked and doubled around the first floor of the building before it reached the Registrar's Office in Room 105. Coleman, who lives at Tobacco Landing on East Main Street, said he is a truck driver and will be out of town on Election Day.

Eastern Henrico adds 3 voting machines; voters in line by 5 p.m. may cast ballots

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 14:23:47 -0400

Voting officials have just brought three additional voting machines to the Eastern Henrico County government center, bringing the total to six. Registrars' offices are open until 5 p.m. Registered voters who are in line at 5 p.m. to cast absentee ballots will be allowed to vote. In order to cast an absentee ballot, a voter must meet one of 17 criteria, such as a disability, plans to be away Tuesday on business or vacation, or the need to work at least 11 hours on Election Day.

Long lines to vote absentee; Eastern Henrico seeks more machines

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 14:01:11 -0400

On the last day to vote absentee, at least 200 people are in line at this hour at the Eastern Henrico Government Center on Nine Mile Road. Voting officials are trying to secure three more voting machines in addition to the three that are in use. Andrew McWilliams dropped off his wife, Barbara, to vote at 8:30 a.m., "a half hour before they opened the door." Four hours later, she still hadn't cast her ballot.

Last chance for absentee voters

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 00:09:58 -0400

Today you can vote absentee at your local registrar's office if you meet one of 17 criteria. Registrars' offices in Richmond and in Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties are open today from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Today deadline to cast absentee ballot

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 00:09:58 -0400

Virginians who couldn't wait until Tuesday to vote instead waited for hours yesterday to cast absentee ballots. The long lines at the registrars' offices are expected to continue today, the deadline to cast an absentee ballot in person.

Owed tax fees arise in mayor's race

Sat, 1 Nov 2008 00:08:57 -0400

Days before Tuesday's election, Richmond mayoral candidates Dwight Clinton Jones and William J. Pantele are facing questions about unpaid fees on real-estate taxes.

5th District vote could decide mayor's race

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:09:58 -0400

Tippy Tippens could help tip the election for Richmond's next mayor. Walking her pugs, Carlos and Tonto, in Oregon Hill this week, Tippens said she hasn't decided who will get her vote on Tuesday, although she likes what she's heard about architect Lawrence E. Williams Sr. and City Council President William J. Pantele. She planned to read up on attorney Robert J. Grey Jr. and Del. Dwight Clinton Jones.

Heights voters to fill 4 City Council seats

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:08:57 -0400

Residents will head to the polls Tuesday to choose from eight candidates vying for four City Council seats. Council members T. Gregory Kochuba and Betsy G. Luck are among the eight contenders; all seats are elected at large. Earlier this year, Vice Mayor David A. Salot and Councilwoman Patricia L. Cox announced they would not seek re-election, creating an opportunity for new faces on the seven-member council.

Kaine: I don't have the authority to extend polling hours

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:21:03 -0400

Kaine said on his call-in radio show this morning that he expects waiting lines next Tuesday but they will be manageable.

Wilder asks for extended hours

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:09:53 -0400

Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder asked Gov. Timothy M. Kaine yesterday to extend voting hours on Election Day by three hours in precincts where historic levels of turnout are expected. But Kaine said in a telephone interview that he does not have the authority under state law to do so. Kaine said he discovered in the spring that, to his surprise, the governor would not have such authority in a presidential election.

Richmond mayor hopeful Jones on sample ballots

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:08:57 -0400

Richmond mayoral candidate Dwight Clinton Jones will be listed on Democratic sample ballots despite objections from two rival campaigns.

Judge rules Obama worker from Va. missed deadline, can't vote

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:15:26 -0400

HARRISONBURG -- A Rockingham County judge has ruled that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's local field manager cannot vote in the presidential election. Circuit Judge James Lane ruled yesterday that Camron Gorguinpour failed to meet Virginia's Oct. 6 deadline for getting his voter-registration form into the county registrar. Gorguinpour claimed the delay was a result from malfeasance on the part of the Harrisonburg registrar's office.

Jones will be listed on sample Democratic ballots

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:38:04 -0400

Richmond mayoral candidate Dwight Clinton Jones will be listed on Democratic sample ballots despite objections from two rival campaigns. "We'll print enough so we can hand it out to every voter who comes to the polls," said Jared Leopold, a state party spokesman. The Richmond City Democratic Committee voted last week to endorse Jones in the mayor's race over objections from the campaigns of William J. Pantele and Robert J. Grey Jr., both Democrats. They argued before the vote that the process to establish the endorsement process violated party rules. They hinted that they might continue to challenge the decision but have since backed off.

REVIEW: Beasties, Crow in "Get Out and Vote" tour at Coliseum

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:25:00 -0400

With exactly a week until voters hit the polls, a lineup of musical acts led by the Beastie Boys is trying to enforce the significance of one thing: Don't forget to vote.

Kaine: Expect lines at polls

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:09:55 -0400

There will be lines, for sure. But Virginia is "extremely well-prepared" to handle the long lines and historic turnout expected at the polls across the state on Election Day, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said yesterday.

Curtain closes on Richmond mayoral debates

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:08:57 -0400

Richmond's mayoral candidates met last night for a final time before next Tuesday's election.

Palin stops at Ashland sandwich shop

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:41:02 -0400

The girls in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at Randolph-Macon College arrived early yesterday to get a glance at Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate as she made a quick visit to Ashland.

Chesterfield County aims for easier voting

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:09:58 -0400

Chesterfield will have more poll workers, ballots, check-in lines.

Support for Wilder declines

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:09:58 -0400

Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder will leave City Hall in about two months, having lost much of the support that swept him into office four years ago, a new poll has found.

Va. braces for record Election Day turnout

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:09:58 -0400

State election officials say they are prepared for a huge voter turnout on Election Day, but voters who should still expect to wait in line.

Support for Wilder declines

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:09:53 -0400

Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder will leave City Hall in about two months, having lost much of the support that swept him into office four years ago, a new poll has found.

Richmond group chooses candidates

Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:08:54 -0400

The Richmond City Democratic Committee has announced its endorsements in the races for mayor, City Council and School Board.

Jones wins Democratic Committee nod for mayor

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:55:20 -0400

In a vote scarred by controversy, Dwight Clinton Jones tonight won the endorsement of the Richmond City Democratic Committee in his bid to become the city's next mayor. Jones, who currently represents Richmond in the House of Delegates, won the group's endorsement by about a 2½-1 margin over the other three candidates combined. The Democratic endorsement is key in the mayor's race because it likely will determine which candidate is listed with presidential candidate Barack Obama on Democratic sample ballots.

Council, School Board endorsements also made

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:50:50 -0400

In addition to endorsing Dwight Clinton Jones for mayor Thursday night, the Richmond City Democratic Committee also endorsed candidates for City Council and School Board.

Candidate will pay $1,384 for youth labor

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:08:58 -0400

Richmond City Council candidate Jonathan Davis said he would pay $1,384 to a state job-training program for incarcerated youth to address concerns over his campaign's use of the program. Those concerns, stemming in part from Davis' role as an instructor, are prompting state officials to look at restricting Youth Industries from accepting political jobs in the future.

Council hopefuls talk about issues

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:08:49 -0400

At a recent City Council candidates forum, three issues kept coming up: government transparency, accountability and efficiency.

Full Coliseum plus 7,000 turn out to hear Obama

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:09:53 -0400

Someday, perhaps Richmond will build an arena big enough to fit all the people who want to see Barack Obama.

Without Goldman, mayoral forum has softer tone

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:01:54 -0400

The last 13 days of Richmond's mayoral race are going to be pretty agreeable if last night's forum at the University of Richmond was any test.

Museum of Confederacy laments misuse of flag

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:09:53 -0400

The president of the Museum of the Confederacy is expressing "sincere regret" to a Chesterfield County man whose Barack Obama campaign yard sign was stolen last weekend and replaced with a Confederate flag.

Goldman throws support to Jones

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:08:53 -0400

Two weeks before Election Day, Paul Goldman tried to tip the balance in Richmond's mayoral race by dropping his candidacy and throwing his support to Del. Dwight Clinton Jones.

Two attack endorsement vote

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:08:53 -0400

Mayoral candidates William J. Pantele and Robert J. Grey Jr. have mounted a preemptive strike on tomorrow's scheduled endorsement vote by the Richmond City Democratic Committee.

Obama sign replaced with rebel flag

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:09:58 -0400

Leroy C. McLaughlin finished his workday on Friday and was cooking dinner when a family member phoned. The 4-foot-by-8-foot Barack Obama campaign sign that McLaughlin had posted in the front yard of his Chesterfield County home was gone.

Small world for native of Wasilla

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:09:55 -0400

You betcha, Dustin du Bois plans to vote for Sarah Palin. He's from Wasilla, Alaska, just like the Republican vice presidential nominee.

Will Wilder's rejection help or hurt Grey?

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:08:58 -0400

Now that Mayor L. Douglas Wilder has opted for "none of the above," where does that leave Robert J. Grey Jr.?

Grey kicks off TV campaign

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:08:56 -0400

Mayoral candidate Robert J. Grey Jr. today launches a television ad that blames "petty politics" for holding Richmond back. The 30-second ad is debuting on cable television two weeks before Election Day. It's the first TV salvo in the mayoral race, and it could force two of Grey's opponents -- Del. Dwight Clinton Jones and City Council President William J. Pantele -- to respond with their own ads. Both campaigns sent out fundraising solicitations in recent days, accusing Grey of trying to buy the election with his $100,000 TV campaign.

Registrar offices open on Saturday

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:08:53 -0400

Virginia voting registrars' offices will be open the next two Saturdays to accommodate people who want to cast absentee ballots in person. Voters must meet one of 17 requirements to be eligible to vote absentee. Applications are available online at the State Board of Elections' site, www.sbe.virginia.gov/voterid, or at registrars' offices. The last day to vote absentee in person is Nov. 1.