Primary Overview
We've got two Democratic and two Republican Primaries in the area:
Democrat 9th Senate
Sen. Ben Lambert vs Del. Donald McEachin.
Donald McEachin is one of the most energetic anti-freedom Delegates in the House. If the Democrats ever want to stand for freedom again, people like him must be stopped. Admittedly, Lambert isn't anywhere close to being a libertarian, but do you want a highly energized anti-freedom person or a non-energized anti-freedom person. I live in this district and I'll be voting for Sen. Ben Lambert
Democrat 74th House
Former Commonwealth's Attorney Joe D. Morrissey, Shirley McCall Goodall, David M. Lambert, Former Richmond City Council Member J. M. "Jackie" Jackson, Former Del Floyd H. Miles Sr.This is a tough one...
Morrissey would be amusing just to see who he'll physically attack next.
Goodall ran two years ago as an independent.
Lambert is the son of Sen. Lambert. Lambert also has answered the VCDL survey.
Miles was defeated by McEachin last time for this seat. His record in the General Assembly wasn't great but it was better than a lot of Democrats.
Jackson has been the only one we've been able to contact.
A high ranking local Democrat pointed out they all want to do the same things and that the choice really boils down to who you think will provide the best service. Of course none of them have a pro-freedom agenda.
Honestly I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm considering Jackson, because she's the only one that has her contact information easily available. However I'm also considering Lambert because he answered the VCDL survey really well for a Democrat. Miles should also be considered since he had a very slightly ok record in the General Assembly, and while he seems to be generally anti-freedom he is another low energy anti-freedom guy.
Republican 12th Senate
Sen. Walter A. Stosch, Joseph E. Blackburn Jr.This is a no brainier. Sen. Stosch is one of Virginia's Least Wanted. Blackburn is running on lowering taxes. He also strongly supports restoring our 2nd amendment rights and has been endorsed by some of the better small government Republicans. On issues where libertarians and Republicans agree, he'll be a strong advocate (He is a Republican so he won't go far enough, but he will be an improvement over Stosch). If I could vote in the 12th Senate District Primary, I'd vote for Joe Blackburn.
Republican 72nd House
Jimmie P. Massie III, P. S. "Bill" Subramaniam, J. C. "Jimmy" Wheat III
I got a call yesterday from Sen. John Warner asking me to vote for Wheat (someone must have given them a bad list since I'm in the heart of the 74th district). However if the likes of Mr. "repeal the posse comitatus act" supports Wheat, we can be sure that Wheat is the wrong man for the job.
Well what about Jimmie Massie? His website brags that Supervisor Dave Kaechele and Supervisor Dick Glover have endorsed him. He might not share Kaechele's and Glover's love of higher taxes and big government micromanagement, but why take a chance.
This leaves Subramaniam about whom I have no useful information. Without more info, None of the Above might be the best choice.
Of course all these races lack a true libertarian voice. If you want to change that, now is the time to contact your local LP affiliate about the elections in 2009.