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Updated: 1 hour 19 min ago
Looks Like Monday is the Day
The Supreme Court issued seven opinions today but did not issue an opinion in the McDonald case. Monday looks like the day we will learn whether the Chicago handgun ban is overturned.
McDonald vs. Chicago
Will the Supreme Court issue its opinion in McDonald vs. Chicago today or will we have to wait until Monday? I will be watching SCOTUS Blog this morning and will post immediately if the Court issues an opinion.
NRA and Disclose Act Continued
The Wall Street Journal has a piece on the Disclose Act and the NRA's exemption from the bill.
There is some talk now that the "carve out" for the NRA may have doomed the bill and even if it does pass in the House the fate is uncertain in the Senate. It was pulled from the House Calendar over the weekend and added back late yesterday for this week. Newsmax reports that the Democrats believe they are close to having the votes to pass the bill.
On Monday, the NRA reaffirmed they do not support the bill - that they just protected their members should (as has happened already this year) a bill thought to be dead ends up passing.
There is some talk now that the "carve out" for the NRA may have doomed the bill and even if it does pass in the House the fate is uncertain in the Senate. It was pulled from the House Calendar over the weekend and added back late yesterday for this week. Newsmax reports that the Democrats believe they are close to having the votes to pass the bill.
On Monday, the NRA reaffirmed they do not support the bill - that they just protected their members should (as has happened already this year) a bill thought to be dead ends up passing.
Boucher-Griffith Race Featured in CQ Politics
This morning's CQ Politics features an article on a couple of competitive races that demonstrate the challenging environment in which the Democrats find themselves this year. One of the races featured is the 9th Congressional District race between Morgan Griffith and incumbent Rick Boucher.
CQ Politics previously rated this race as Likely Democratic. They now rate is as Leans Democratic. They explain the change this way:
The movement of Boucher, who has represented his southwestern Virginia district for 28 years, isn't due to any specific poll but more the result of a general drift toward a more competitive race.
State Del. Morgan Griffith (R), who has served in the state Legislature for over 15 years, is a solid recruit who is expected to give Boucher his toughest challenge in years. The current Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates should prove to be a solid fundraiser. He brought in over $100,000 in two weeks in March before his first federal filing deadline. But Griffith's next fundraising report (due to be filed by July 15) will be highly anticipated, since both parties will be watching to see if he's made any substantial headway in closing the huge financial disparity that he faced in early May. At that point, Griffith showed just $110,000 in his campaign account, compared to Boucher's more than $1,9 million warchest.
Knocking off an incumbent is difficult, especially one with a large warchest. But money does not always translate into victory. If Griffith can raise a credible amount of money, and puts together a great ground game to turn out voters in this sprawling rural district, he can give Boucher a run for his money.
Boucher is endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) but Griffith has been a consistent "A" rated legislator in the House of Delegates, including introducing legislation to expand the rights of gun owners. The gun issue may be a wash in this race so it is likely that the election be decided on other issues important in the district. McCain won the district by 19 points in 2008.
CQ Politics previously rated this race as Likely Democratic. They now rate is as Leans Democratic. They explain the change this way:
The movement of Boucher, who has represented his southwestern Virginia district for 28 years, isn't due to any specific poll but more the result of a general drift toward a more competitive race.
State Del. Morgan Griffith (R), who has served in the state Legislature for over 15 years, is a solid recruit who is expected to give Boucher his toughest challenge in years. The current Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates should prove to be a solid fundraiser. He brought in over $100,000 in two weeks in March before his first federal filing deadline. But Griffith's next fundraising report (due to be filed by July 15) will be highly anticipated, since both parties will be watching to see if he's made any substantial headway in closing the huge financial disparity that he faced in early May. At that point, Griffith showed just $110,000 in his campaign account, compared to Boucher's more than $1,9 million warchest.
Knocking off an incumbent is difficult, especially one with a large warchest. But money does not always translate into victory. If Griffith can raise a credible amount of money, and puts together a great ground game to turn out voters in this sprawling rural district, he can give Boucher a run for his money.
Boucher is endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) but Griffith has been a consistent "A" rated legislator in the House of Delegates, including introducing legislation to expand the rights of gun owners. The gun issue may be a wash in this race so it is likely that the election be decided on other issues important in the district. McCain won the district by 19 points in 2008.
NRA Responds to Member Concerns Regarding Disclose Act
NRA has released this statement addressing concerns expressed by members regarding the Disclose Act. It says in part: We appreciate some NRA members' concerns about our position on H.R. 5175, the "DISCLOSE Act." Unfortunately, critics of our position have misstated or misunderstood the facts. We have never said we would support any version of
this bill. To the contrary, we clearly stated NRA's strong opposition to the DISCLOSE Act (as introduced) in a letter sent to Members of Congress on May 26 (click here to
read the letter).
...We didn't "sell out" to Nancy Pelosi or anyone else. We told Congress we opposed the bill. As a result, congressional leaders made a commitment to exempt us from its draconian restrictions on free speech. If that commitment is honored, we will not be involved in the final House debate. If that committment is not fully honored, we will strongly oppose the bill.
Our position is based on principle and experience. During consideration of the previous campaign finance legislation passed in 2002, congressional leadership repeatedly refused to exempt the NRA from its provisions, promising that our concerns would be fixed somewhere down the line. That didn't happen; instead, the NRA had to live under those restrictions for seven years and spend millions of dollars on compliance costs and on legal fees to challenge the law. We will not go down that road again when we have an opportunity to protect our ability to speak.
this bill. To the contrary, we clearly stated NRA's strong opposition to the DISCLOSE Act (as introduced) in a letter sent to Members of Congress on May 26 (click here to
read the letter).
...We didn't "sell out" to Nancy Pelosi or anyone else. We told Congress we opposed the bill. As a result, congressional leaders made a commitment to exempt us from its draconian restrictions on free speech. If that commitment is honored, we will not be involved in the final House debate. If that committment is not fully honored, we will strongly oppose the bill.
Our position is based on principle and experience. During consideration of the previous campaign finance legislation passed in 2002, congressional leadership repeatedly refused to exempt the NRA from its provisions, promising that our concerns would be fixed somewhere down the line. That didn't happen; instead, the NRA had to live under those restrictions for seven years and spend millions of dollars on compliance costs and on legal fees to challenge the law. We will not go down that road again when we have an opportunity to protect our ability to speak.
I stand by my earlier post that NRA has made a decision that is in the best interest of its members and gun owners in general.
York County Proposed Shooting Ordinance Update
VSSA has been working with the County Administrator's office in York County to keep apprised of proposed changes to the county's shooting ordanance. The York County Board of Supervisors held their regularly scheduled meeting last night. As previously posted one of the items on the agenda was a proposal to add several neighborhoods to the list of those where discharge of a firearm would be illegal, repeal the ban on discharge of pneumatic guns, make discharge of a firearm within 300-1000 feet of a school illegal unless verbal notification (not a voice mail) had been given to a school official, and make it clear that discharge would be legal for self-defense.
The Sheriff of York County had made it clear previously that he believed York County should repeal its ordinance and let state law govern as no one had ever been charged under the local ordinance. He restated this belief at last night's meeting. However, as I posted previously, repeal of the current ordinance was not on the agenda and no prior notice of such action had been given to the public. The Board then moved to approve the repeal of the ban on shooting pneumatic guns and made it clear that it is legal to discharge a firearm in defense of property and in self defense. The Board did not add any new neighborhoods to the current list of neighborhoods where discharge is prohibited. The Board also did not approve the ban on on discharge within 300 feet of the perimeter property line of a County school site and a requirement that the school be notified by personal oral communication (not merely by answering machine) of any intention to discharge firearms in the 300 feet to 1,000 feet distant zone around a school site. This is a big win for gun owners and sportsmen in York County.
VSSA will continue to follow actions in York County. It is likely the Board will hear a proposal to repeal the county's current shooting ordinance. If further changes are proposed, they will be posted here and we will notify members of our legislative alert list. If you are not a subscriber, simply click the link to the right and join today.
Correction 6/17/10 - After a more careful review of the document forwarded to me by the County Administrator, the Board did add the new neighborhoods that had been proposed to prohibit discharge of a firearm with the exceptions (law enforcement officers, animal wardens and game wardens in the line of duty, military personnel in the line of duty, the discharge of firearms on firing ranges or target ranges operating in conformance with the county’s zoning regulations, the discharge of a firearm in conjunction with a managed hunt to control the deer population pursuant to Code of Virginia section 29.1-529, and any discharge of a firearm in lawful defense of property or persons or to kill a dangerous or destructive animal).
The Sheriff of York County had made it clear previously that he believed York County should repeal its ordinance and let state law govern as no one had ever been charged under the local ordinance. He restated this belief at last night's meeting. However, as I posted previously, repeal of the current ordinance was not on the agenda and no prior notice of such action had been given to the public. The Board then moved to approve the repeal of the ban on shooting pneumatic guns and made it clear that it is legal to discharge a firearm in defense of property and in self defense. The Board did not add any new neighborhoods to the current list of neighborhoods where discharge is prohibited. The Board also did not approve the ban on on discharge within 300 feet of the perimeter property line of a County school site and a requirement that the school be notified by personal oral communication (not merely by answering machine) of any intention to discharge firearms in the 300 feet to 1,000 feet distant zone around a school site. This is a big win for gun owners and sportsmen in York County.
VSSA will continue to follow actions in York County. It is likely the Board will hear a proposal to repeal the county's current shooting ordinance. If further changes are proposed, they will be posted here and we will notify members of our legislative alert list. If you are not a subscriber, simply click the link to the right and join today.
Correction 6/17/10 - After a more careful review of the document forwarded to me by the County Administrator, the Board did add the new neighborhoods that had been proposed to prohibit discharge of a firearm with the exceptions (law enforcement officers, animal wardens and game wardens in the line of duty, military personnel in the line of duty, the discharge of firearms on firing ranges or target ranges operating in conformance with the county’s zoning regulations, the discharge of a firearm in conjunction with a managed hunt to control the deer population pursuant to Code of Virginia section 29.1-529, and any discharge of a firearm in lawful defense of property or persons or to kill a dangerous or destructive animal).
NRA and Disclose Act
I have avoided posting on this topic but there has been so much chatter around the web, some of which has been completely off base, that I feel compelled to address it.
Much of what has been written refers to NRA as "selling out" or having "amnesia." For those not familiar with the issue, the liberals in Congress, egged on by President Obama, are trying to come up with a new law to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision on campaign finance rules that was handed down earlier this year. In that case, the court ruled that provisions of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, which severely restricted the rights of corporations and nonprofit groups to run political advertising, were unconstitutional.
NRA has been very outspoken before and since its passage that McCain/Feingold was an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment rights of Americans who participate, or wanted to participate in the political arena. Citizens United further chipped away at McCain/Feingold and challenged the liberals ability to control political speech. Obama and his minions could not have this. Enter HR 5175 - Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Election (Disclose) Act. The Disclose Act seeks to roll back the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United by once again restricting companies' and associations' political advertising.
Now, Republicans and a number of conservative bloggers and groups are complaining that the NRA cut a deal that exempts themselves from the bill and throws everyone else under the bus. Liberal groups aren't real happy either - in a way validating that NRA has made the right decision for it's members.
NRA has explained their decision in a an email to members:
One reason I’m not all that sympathetic to conservative groups and Republican hacks complaining that NRA won’t do their fighting for them is that they’ve never really lifted a finger for us when we needed them.
Sebastian points out that this is the most Democratic Congress in years, but they seem to have learned their lesson from 1994 and the Clinton Gun Ban. They have bent over backwards to not tick off the NRA and have actually attached some pro-gun legislation to bills that Obama was not about to veto - thus giving us more wins in the last two years than we had in 14 years of a GOP Congress.
Much of what has been written refers to NRA as "selling out" or having "amnesia." For those not familiar with the issue, the liberals in Congress, egged on by President Obama, are trying to come up with a new law to respond to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision on campaign finance rules that was handed down earlier this year. In that case, the court ruled that provisions of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, which severely restricted the rights of corporations and nonprofit groups to run political advertising, were unconstitutional.
NRA has been very outspoken before and since its passage that McCain/Feingold was an unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment rights of Americans who participate, or wanted to participate in the political arena. Citizens United further chipped away at McCain/Feingold and challenged the liberals ability to control political speech. Obama and his minions could not have this. Enter HR 5175 - Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Election (Disclose) Act. The Disclose Act seeks to roll back the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United by once again restricting companies' and associations' political advertising.
Now, Republicans and a number of conservative bloggers and groups are complaining that the NRA cut a deal that exempts themselves from the bill and throws everyone else under the bus. Liberal groups aren't real happy either - in a way validating that NRA has made the right decision for it's members.
NRA has explained their decision in a an email to members:
The NRA’s opposition to restrictions on political speech includes its May 26, 2010 letter to Members of Congress expressing strong concerns about H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act. As it stood at the time of that letter, the measure would have undermined or obliterated virtually all of the NRA’s right to free political speech and, therefore, jeopardized the Second Amendment rights of every law-abiding American.
The most potent defense of the Second Amendment requires the most adamant exercise of the First Amendment. The NRA stands absolutely obligated to its members to ensure maximum access to the First Amendment, in order to protect
and preserve the freedom of the Second Amendment.
The NRA must preserve its ability to speak. It cannot risk a strategy that would deny its rights, for the Second Amendment cannot be defended without them.
I have to admit to having had concerns about not standing up and fighting the bill rather than carving out an exemption. But the more I thought about it, and reminded myself what happened with Obamacare, it is highly likely that Pelosi would have twisted enough arms to pass the bill out of the House. While there is still uncertainty as to the fate in the Senate, I would rather not take my chances that Olympia Snow, John McCain, or some other Republican squish would cave and allow the bill to pass. So, NRA did what it felt was in the best interest of its members and the organization's ability to speak for them.
Finally, probably the best explanation of the NRA's decision in this matter has come not from the NRA, but from a fellow blogger, Sebastian:One reason I’m not all that sympathetic to conservative groups and Republican hacks complaining that NRA won’t do their fighting for them is that they’ve never really lifted a finger for us when we needed them.
Sebastian points out that this is the most Democratic Congress in years, but they seem to have learned their lesson from 1994 and the Clinton Gun Ban. They have bent over backwards to not tick off the NRA and have actually attached some pro-gun legislation to bills that Obama was not about to veto - thus giving us more wins in the last two years than we had in 14 years of a GOP Congress.
Wilt Leading in 26th District Special Election
VSSA endorsed Tony Wilt is ahead of his opponent 64.27% to 31.33%% with 19 of 21 precincts (90%) reporting.
Turnout in this race is much higher (23.32% of active voters) than in the 27th District race won by Roxann Robinson.
Turnout in this race is much higher (23.32% of active voters) than in the 27th District race won by Roxann Robinson.
Early Returns in Special Election
No precincts have reported in the 26th District race but in the 27th (part of Chesterfield County) with 95% of the precincts reporting, VSSA endorsed Roxann Robinson is trouncing Democrat Bill Brown with 71.59% of the vote (2,914 votes) to Brown's 28.4% (1,156 votes). Voter turn out in this race was only 7.654% so it is clear that Robinson did a much better job of getting her base to the polls.
Update
It's official - with 100% of the precincts reporting, Robinson wins with 72.58% of the vote. Final turnout was 8.362% of active voters.
Update
It's official - with 100% of the precincts reporting, Robinson wins with 72.58% of the vote. Final turnout was 8.362% of active voters.
Special Election Today
Today is the Special Election to fill the vacant 26th and 27th House of Delegates seats. If you live in either of these House districts, please go to the polls and vote for the VSSA endorsed candidates - Tony Wilt (26th - City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County) and Roxann Robinson (27th - Part of Chesterfield County). This will be a very low turnout election so every vote could mean the difference between a win for firearm freedom and a loss. Polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM. Not sure if you live in either of these districts? Click here and complete the form. It will confirm if you live in either the districts.
More on York County Shooting Ordinances
I posted last night that the York County Board of Supervisors will consider amendments to their ordinance dealing with the discharge of a firearm. After further review, the most troubling part of the proposal is the change related to discharge near a school. The draft includes a prohibition of any firearms discharge on property that is within 300 feet of the perimeter property line of a County school site and a requirement that the school be notified by personal oral communication (not merely by answering machine) of any intention to discharge firearms in the 300 feet to 1,000 feet distant zone around a school site. This provision is troubling as it changes the status quo for those who had a home or property in a location and a school was built next door to the home/land owner's property at some point after the owner purchased the property. Of the changes being proposed, this is the part that VSSA opposes the strongest.
Please attend tomorrow night's meeting if you are a York County resident. It should be noted that tomorrow night's meeting is not a discussion of whether to repeal the existing ordinance, it is to approve of disapprove the proposed amendments to the ordinance. Gun owners should focus their comments on the specific parts of the proposals they oppose and not get sidetracked in a discussion of an issue that is not being considered. It is okay to say you oppose the proposed amendments because the Sheriff states he has never charged anyone under the local ordinance but speakers should not get sidetracked in a discussion of repealing the current ordinance because that is not what is being considered tomorrow.
Please attend tomorrow night's meeting if you are a York County resident. It should be noted that tomorrow night's meeting is not a discussion of whether to repeal the existing ordinance, it is to approve of disapprove the proposed amendments to the ordinance. Gun owners should focus their comments on the specific parts of the proposals they oppose and not get sidetracked in a discussion of an issue that is not being considered. It is okay to say you oppose the proposed amendments because the Sheriff states he has never charged anyone under the local ordinance but speakers should not get sidetracked in a discussion of repealing the current ordinance because that is not what is being considered tomorrow.
York County Board of Supervisors to Address Shooting Ordinances
You may recall that on May 4th, I posted that the York County Board of Supervisors was having a working session to address shooting ordinances within the county. At that meeting,
the Board reviewed and discussed the status of the various proposed amendments to Sections 16-7 and 16-37 of the County Code and provided direction to staff on the provisions to be included in a revised draft that has been scheduled for public hearing at the June 15th meeting.
The Board is scheduled to take up specific recommendations that came out of that meeting at their meeting on June 15th. There will be a citizen comment period from 6 PM to 7 PM and the ordinance will be addressed by the Board after 7 PM in it's regular place on the agenda.
The ordinance in question can be found here. An explanation of the various changes in the proposal can be found here.
In short, the proposals restrict discharge of firearms and in some cases air rifles, in designated areas with some limited exceptions. The proposal also changes the distance from which a firearm may be discharged near a school.
The exceptions include:
• in connection with a managed hunt to control the deer population;
• in defense of one’s life; and
• to kill a dangerous or destructive animal (note: this provision was revised to drop the word “wild”, thus allowing it to apply to any dangerous or destructive animal, whether wild or domestic).
According to an email alert sent out by VCDL, the York County Sheriff believes that the county should scrap all of it's shooting ordinances and let state law govern.
Gun owners that live in York County should attend the Board Meeting in Tuesday night and let your voice be heard.
The meeting is being held Tuesday night beginning at 6:00 PM. Board meetings are held at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown, VA.
the Board reviewed and discussed the status of the various proposed amendments to Sections 16-7 and 16-37 of the County Code and provided direction to staff on the provisions to be included in a revised draft that has been scheduled for public hearing at the June 15th meeting.
The Board is scheduled to take up specific recommendations that came out of that meeting at their meeting on June 15th. There will be a citizen comment period from 6 PM to 7 PM and the ordinance will be addressed by the Board after 7 PM in it's regular place on the agenda.
The ordinance in question can be found here. An explanation of the various changes in the proposal can be found here.
In short, the proposals restrict discharge of firearms and in some cases air rifles, in designated areas with some limited exceptions. The proposal also changes the distance from which a firearm may be discharged near a school.
The exceptions include:
• in connection with a managed hunt to control the deer population;
• in defense of one’s life; and
• to kill a dangerous or destructive animal (note: this provision was revised to drop the word “wild”, thus allowing it to apply to any dangerous or destructive animal, whether wild or domestic).
According to an email alert sent out by VCDL, the York County Sheriff believes that the county should scrap all of it's shooting ordinances and let state law govern.
Gun owners that live in York County should attend the Board Meeting in Tuesday night and let your voice be heard.
The meeting is being held Tuesday night beginning at 6:00 PM. Board meetings are held at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown, VA.
VSSA Endorses Roxann Robinson in the 27th House of Delegates Race
On June 15, 2010, there will be a special election to fill the vacancy in House of Delegates District 27 which was left vacant when Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Sam Nixon to be the Chief Information Officer for the Virginia Information Technology Agency. VSSA has endorsed Roxann Robinson in this race. Ms. Robinson has committed to VSSA that she supports the concealed carry reforms enacted in the last session of the General Assembly as well as to support other issues of importance to VSSA members and gun owners in general. Of the two candidates running to replace Delegate Nixon, Roxann Robinson stands head and shoulders above the competition. Gun owners and sportsmen in the 27th District are urged to go to the polls on June 15th and vote for Roxann Robinson for Delegate.
Primary Analysis
Some take aways from today's voting:
Turnout in the 8th District was abysmal (2.920%). I know this is a very "Blue" district but less than 3% of registered voters is just pitiful.
It appears that Hurt's campaign made the right decision pushing for a primary. In a seven candidate race, he still pulled almost 50% of the vote. Turnout was just under 8% and Hurt won 17,104 votes. No way he would have gotten that many to show up at a nominating convention. The two candidates that filled my email inbox the most (Albemarle Board of Supervisor member Ken Boyd and GOP Activist and teacher Feda Kidd Morton) did not even break double digits. Now Hurt has to pull the party together to make sure the independent does not pick up the support of disenchanted GOP voters who worked for one of the other candidates because they were upset that Hurt support Mark Warner's tax increase in 2004. The 5th District is going to be the race to watch this year in Virginia. Two "A" rated candidates means gun owners know that whoever wins, they have a friend in Congress. It also frees them up to consider other issues and which candidate best represents their views.
In the 11th, Fimian likely benefited from his name ID and the fact that some believe if Connelly can be beaten, Fimian is probably the best candidate to do it. Fimian is probably more conservative than the district as a whole. This will be a tough race to win. Gun owners at least have someone to work for in this district as Fimian was endorsed by the NRA in 2008.
Finally, in the 1st District, Congressman Rob Wittman didn't even break a sweat in dispatching his Tea Party affiliated opponent. Wittman is a true friend to gun owners and he should be an odds on favorite for reelection.
I will breakdown the 2nd District when that race is over. It appears that Rigell may be headed for a victory as he has crept closer to 40% of the vote in a six candidate race with 80% of precincts reporting.
Turnout in the 8th District was abysmal (2.920%). I know this is a very "Blue" district but less than 3% of registered voters is just pitiful.
It appears that Hurt's campaign made the right decision pushing for a primary. In a seven candidate race, he still pulled almost 50% of the vote. Turnout was just under 8% and Hurt won 17,104 votes. No way he would have gotten that many to show up at a nominating convention. The two candidates that filled my email inbox the most (Albemarle Board of Supervisor member Ken Boyd and GOP Activist and teacher Feda Kidd Morton) did not even break double digits. Now Hurt has to pull the party together to make sure the independent does not pick up the support of disenchanted GOP voters who worked for one of the other candidates because they were upset that Hurt support Mark Warner's tax increase in 2004. The 5th District is going to be the race to watch this year in Virginia. Two "A" rated candidates means gun owners know that whoever wins, they have a friend in Congress. It also frees them up to consider other issues and which candidate best represents their views.
In the 11th, Fimian likely benefited from his name ID and the fact that some believe if Connelly can be beaten, Fimian is probably the best candidate to do it. Fimian is probably more conservative than the district as a whole. This will be a tough race to win. Gun owners at least have someone to work for in this district as Fimian was endorsed by the NRA in 2008.
Finally, in the 1st District, Congressman Rob Wittman didn't even break a sweat in dispatching his Tea Party affiliated opponent. Wittman is a true friend to gun owners and he should be an odds on favorite for reelection.
I will breakdown the 2nd District when that race is over. It appears that Rigell may be headed for a victory as he has crept closer to 40% of the vote in a six candidate race with 80% of precincts reporting.
More Election Returns
I will only update those races that are still close. My last post noted that the 1st District and 5th District appeared to be decided (Congressman Rob Wittman in the 1st, State Senator Robert Hurt in the 5th).
In the 2nd District, Scott Rigell has 38.67% of the vote and a 13 point lead on his closest opponent with 68.94% of the precincts reporting. Rigell has held this lead for awhile now but there are still a lot of votes left to count.
In the 8th District, with 94.23% of the precincts reporting, Patrick Murray holds a slim 51.34% to 48.65% lead over Matthew Berry (a little over 300 votes).
In the 11th District, Patrick Herrity has made it interesting but still trails by 13% with 90.47% of the precincts reporting. It is likely that Keith Fimian will hold on in this to win the nomination. Fimian currently leads 56.31% to 43.68%
In the 2nd District, Scott Rigell has 38.67% of the vote and a 13 point lead on his closest opponent with 68.94% of the precincts reporting. Rigell has held this lead for awhile now but there are still a lot of votes left to count.
In the 8th District, with 94.23% of the precincts reporting, Patrick Murray holds a slim 51.34% to 48.65% lead over Matthew Berry (a little over 300 votes).
In the 11th District, Patrick Herrity has made it interesting but still trails by 13% with 90.47% of the precincts reporting. It is likely that Keith Fimian will hold on in this to win the nomination. Fimian currently leads 56.31% to 43.68%
Updated Primary Returns
Updated returns:
In the 1st District - with 94.47% of the precincts reporting, Congressman Rob Wittman will win. He has 87.95% of the vote.
In the 2nd District - with 51.55% of the precincts reporting, Scott Rigell now leads among the six candidates with 38.32% of the vote.
In the 5th District, 87.70% of the precincts reporting, it appears that State Senator Robert Hurt will win the prize to take on Congressman Tom Perriello. He leads with leads the field of seven candidates with 48.30% of the vote.
In the 8th District, 73.71% of the precincts reporting, Patrick Murry has a slim lead over Matthew Berry leads with 50.07 to 49.92% of the vote.
In the 11th District, 64.28%% of the precincts reporting, Keith Fimian leads Patrick Herrity 60.39% to 39.60of the vote.
In the 1st District - with 94.47% of the precincts reporting, Congressman Rob Wittman will win. He has 87.95% of the vote.
In the 2nd District - with 51.55% of the precincts reporting, Scott Rigell now leads among the six candidates with 38.32% of the vote.
In the 5th District, 87.70% of the precincts reporting, it appears that State Senator Robert Hurt will win the prize to take on Congressman Tom Perriello. He leads with leads the field of seven candidates with 48.30% of the vote.
In the 8th District, 73.71% of the precincts reporting, Patrick Murry has a slim lead over Matthew Berry leads with 50.07 to 49.92% of the vote.
In the 11th District, 64.28%% of the precincts reporting, Keith Fimian leads Patrick Herrity 60.39% to 39.60of the vote.
Early Election Returns
The polls closed a little over 30 minutes ago and some early returns have started coming in.
In the 1st District - with 47.46% of the precincts reporting, Congressman Rob Wittman holds a commanding lead 88.55% to 10.40% of the vote.
In the 2nd District - with 17.39% of the precincts reporting, Bert K. Mizusawa leads among the six candidates with 36.85% of the vote.
In the 5th District, 33% of the precincts reporting, State Senator Robert Hurt leads the field of seven candidates with 39.99% of the vote.
In the 8th District, 35.25% of the precincts reporting, Matthew Berry leads with 51.70% of the vote.
In the 11th District, 9.52% of the precincts reporting, Keith Fimian leads with 65% of the vote.
In the 1st District - with 47.46% of the precincts reporting, Congressman Rob Wittman holds a commanding lead 88.55% to 10.40% of the vote.
In the 2nd District - with 17.39% of the precincts reporting, Bert K. Mizusawa leads among the six candidates with 36.85% of the vote.
In the 5th District, 33% of the precincts reporting, State Senator Robert Hurt leads the field of seven candidates with 39.99% of the vote.
In the 8th District, 35.25% of the precincts reporting, Matthew Berry leads with 51.70% of the vote.
In the 11th District, 9.52% of the precincts reporting, Keith Fimian leads with 65% of the vote.
Today is GOP Primary Day
Several Congressional Districts are holding a primary today to determine the GOP Nominee for this November's election.
In the 1st District, incumbent Rob Wittman is being challenged by Catherine Crabill. Wittman is endorsed by the NRA-PVF. Congressman Wittman is a friend to gun owners and has been since his days in the General Assembly. Gun owners and sportsmen in the 1st Congressional District are urged to go to the polls today and support Rob Wittman.
In the 2nd District, six candidates are vying for the opportunity to challenge one term incumbent Congressman Glen Nye. Nye outperformed Barack Obama by 2% in 2008, winning 52.4 - 47.46. Obama won this heavily military district 50-48. The 2nd District is considered a swing district and rated as a toss-up my most pundits.
Ben Loyola
Ed Maulbeck
Bert Mizusawa
E. Scott Rigell
Jessica Sandlin
Scott Taylor
Governor Bob McDonnell has endorsed his longtime friend and supporter Scott Rigell. Rigell is considered the favorite in this race if for no other reason, because he has put a lot of his own money into the race. Rigell has been dogged in the primary by opponents who have pointed to his $10,000 political contribution in 2002 to an effort to finance local road and transit projects through an increase in the state sales tax but that does not seem to have dampened pundits' predictions that he is likely to have a double digit win in the primary. The NRA has not endorsed in this primary.
The 5th Congressional District is the most watched race. No less than seven candidates are running to challenge incumbent Tom Perriello. Perriello has acquired the name "One Term Tom" from those working many who dislike him. One the couple of votes related to gun rights, he has supported the interests of gun owners. He has also signed on to a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder telling the AG not push a renewal of the Clinton Gun Ban. But for those looking to unseat Perriello, they point to his unblemished record of supporting President Obama's agenda. Like Nye in the 2nd, Perriello outperformed Obama in 2008. Obama actually lost the district 51-48 while Perriello eked out a win over Congressman Virgil Goode 50.09-49.86. The 5th Congressional District is another toss-up rated District. The candidates running to take on Perriello are:
Kenneth Boyd
Ron Ferrin
Senator Robert Hurt
Mike McPadden
James McKelvey
Feda Kidd Morton
Laurence Verga
Boyd is a member of the Albermarle County Board of Supervisors. Feda Morton is a teacher and longtime Republican activist. Senator Hurt is a long time friend to gun owners as both a member of the House of Delegates and the State Senate. He has supported repeal of the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants like Appleebees and Olive Garden, that serve alcohol as well as food. Hurt has supported countless other bills restoring and expanding the rights of gun owners. He received "A" ratings from the NRA in his state legislative races.
Hurt has taken some heat for supporting then Governor Mark Warner's tax increase in 2004. Backers of Perriello hope that some conservative anti-tax voters will shun Hurt and vote instead for a right-leaning independent in the fall.
NRA has not endorsed a candidate in this primary. The "incumbent rule" may come into play in the general election in November. If Hurt wins today, gun owners will have two candidates from which to chose who have voting records on our issue.
The 8th District is a contest to take on longtime anti-gun incumbent Jim Moran. The candidates are:
Matthew Berry
Patrick Murray
Finally, in the 11th District, there is a very competitive race to take on anti-gun incumbent Gerry Connelly. The candidates are:
Keith Fimian
Patrick Herrity
Fimian is looking for a rematch from the 2008 race. He was endorsed by the NRA-PVF in 2008. Gun owners looking for a difference between the two may want to consider, Fimian opposes an unconstitutional full congressional representation for the District of Columbia. Herrity supports a representative in Congress for D.C. This representative would most certainly be anti-gun. The NRA has not endorsed in this primary.
Gun owners in each of these districts are encouraged to vote in today's primary, which is open to all voters. If you are not familiar with the candidates, click the links for each candidate in your district, read where they stand, then get out and vote.
In the 1st District, incumbent Rob Wittman is being challenged by Catherine Crabill. Wittman is endorsed by the NRA-PVF. Congressman Wittman is a friend to gun owners and has been since his days in the General Assembly. Gun owners and sportsmen in the 1st Congressional District are urged to go to the polls today and support Rob Wittman.
In the 2nd District, six candidates are vying for the opportunity to challenge one term incumbent Congressman Glen Nye. Nye outperformed Barack Obama by 2% in 2008, winning 52.4 - 47.46. Obama won this heavily military district 50-48. The 2nd District is considered a swing district and rated as a toss-up my most pundits.
Ben Loyola
Ed Maulbeck
Bert Mizusawa
E. Scott Rigell
Jessica Sandlin
Scott Taylor
Governor Bob McDonnell has endorsed his longtime friend and supporter Scott Rigell. Rigell is considered the favorite in this race if for no other reason, because he has put a lot of his own money into the race. Rigell has been dogged in the primary by opponents who have pointed to his $10,000 political contribution in 2002 to an effort to finance local road and transit projects through an increase in the state sales tax but that does not seem to have dampened pundits' predictions that he is likely to have a double digit win in the primary. The NRA has not endorsed in this primary.
The 5th Congressional District is the most watched race. No less than seven candidates are running to challenge incumbent Tom Perriello. Perriello has acquired the name "One Term Tom" from those working many who dislike him. One the couple of votes related to gun rights, he has supported the interests of gun owners. He has also signed on to a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder telling the AG not push a renewal of the Clinton Gun Ban. But for those looking to unseat Perriello, they point to his unblemished record of supporting President Obama's agenda. Like Nye in the 2nd, Perriello outperformed Obama in 2008. Obama actually lost the district 51-48 while Perriello eked out a win over Congressman Virgil Goode 50.09-49.86. The 5th Congressional District is another toss-up rated District. The candidates running to take on Perriello are:
Kenneth Boyd
Ron Ferrin
Senator Robert Hurt
Mike McPadden
James McKelvey
Feda Kidd Morton
Laurence Verga
Boyd is a member of the Albermarle County Board of Supervisors. Feda Morton is a teacher and longtime Republican activist. Senator Hurt is a long time friend to gun owners as both a member of the House of Delegates and the State Senate. He has supported repeal of the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants like Appleebees and Olive Garden, that serve alcohol as well as food. Hurt has supported countless other bills restoring and expanding the rights of gun owners. He received "A" ratings from the NRA in his state legislative races.
Hurt has taken some heat for supporting then Governor Mark Warner's tax increase in 2004. Backers of Perriello hope that some conservative anti-tax voters will shun Hurt and vote instead for a right-leaning independent in the fall.
NRA has not endorsed a candidate in this primary. The "incumbent rule" may come into play in the general election in November. If Hurt wins today, gun owners will have two candidates from which to chose who have voting records on our issue.
The 8th District is a contest to take on longtime anti-gun incumbent Jim Moran. The candidates are:
Matthew Berry
Patrick Murray
Finally, in the 11th District, there is a very competitive race to take on anti-gun incumbent Gerry Connelly. The candidates are:
Keith Fimian
Patrick Herrity
Fimian is looking for a rematch from the 2008 race. He was endorsed by the NRA-PVF in 2008. Gun owners looking for a difference between the two may want to consider, Fimian opposes an unconstitutional full congressional representation for the District of Columbia. Herrity supports a representative in Congress for D.C. This representative would most certainly be anti-gun. The NRA has not endorsed in this primary.
Gun owners in each of these districts are encouraged to vote in today's primary, which is open to all voters. If you are not familiar with the candidates, click the links for each candidate in your district, read where they stand, then get out and vote.
VSSA Makes Endorsement in June 15th Special Election
The Virginia Shooting Sports Association has endorsed Tony Wilt for the Special Election to fill the 26th House of Delegates District that was left vacant when Governor Bob McDonnell appointed former Delegate Matt Lohr Commissioner of Agriculture earlier this year.
Wilt is a longtime hunter and sport shooter. He has also received an AQ rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund (PVF) and is also endorsed by the NRA-PVF.
In accepting the endorsemenment, Wilt said:
“All of my friends know that I’ve been an avid hunter and sport shooter my entire life. Protecting our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms is something I feel passionately about. The Virginia Shooting Sports Association and the National Rifle Association recognize that passion, and I’m proud to have their support in this campaign.”
The 26th District includes all of the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. All gun owners and sportsmen in the 26th District are encouraged to go to the polls on June 15th and vote for Tony Wilt.
Wilt is a longtime hunter and sport shooter. He has also received an AQ rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund (PVF) and is also endorsed by the NRA-PVF.
In accepting the endorsemenment, Wilt said:
“All of my friends know that I’ve been an avid hunter and sport shooter my entire life. Protecting our 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms is something I feel passionately about. The Virginia Shooting Sports Association and the National Rifle Association recognize that passion, and I’m proud to have their support in this campaign.”
The 26th District includes all of the City of Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham County. All gun owners and sportsmen in the 26th District are encouraged to go to the polls on June 15th and vote for Tony Wilt.