Crucial Virginia state senate seat lost because the Democrat candidate took cash from NY billionaire Bloomberg anti-gun group. Voters objected-Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial Board

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"The Democrat made a massive mistake when he accepted campaign swag from an interest group affiliated with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who seeks tougher gun control laws. Gecker might have lost anyway, but the Bloomberg intervention gave Powhatan voters a reason to rise up in indignation. Sturtevant also received funds from outsider sources but the Bloomberg connection vividly cast Gecker on the wrong side of an issue of vital concern to Powhatan’s citizenry. A campaign focused on guns redounded to Gecker’s despair. This is not a surprise."...

11/3/15, "Editorial: Sturtevant scores major win in Senate race," Richmond Times-Dispatch Editorial Board

"The race in the 10th Senate District lived up to expectations. The contest not only proved tight but it could determine which party controls the Virginia Senate. Republican Glen Sturtevant, who represents a district on the Richmond School Board, comfortably carried the Chesterfield County portions of the 10th. Democrat Dan Gecker, who represents a district on the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors, won a Richmond landslide. The final tally came down to Powhatan, where Sturtevant clobbered Gecker.

The Democrat made a massive mistake when he accepted campaign swag from an interest group affiliated with former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who seeks tougher gun control laws. Gecker might have lost anyway, but the Bloomberg intervention gave Powhatan voters a reason to rise up in indignation. Sturtevant also received funds from outsider sources but the Bloomberg connection vividly cast Gecker on the wrong side of an issue of vital concern to Powhatan’s citizenry. A campaign focused on guns redounded to Gecker’s despair. This is not a surprise.

The circumstances of the victory in the 10th establish Sturtevant as an instant force in statewide Republican politics. He possesses a winning manner and stands in his party’s mainstream. If the future belongs to the party perceived as the party of reform, then Sturtevant gives the GOP a boost. The 10th seems to remain a competitive district but Sturtevant possesses the skills and values to represent it well. The Times-Dispatch took pride in endorsing him. We also thank Gecker for his service on the Chesterfield board. Central Virginia’s other races for seats in the General Assembly produced no surprises. A subsequent editorial will discuss elections for the region’s local offices.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe endured a rough night. If he is to make a mark during the final two years of his term, he will have to accommodate himself to what, at this writing, appears to be Republican majorities in the legislature. Yet while the GOP dominates the House of Delegates, it lacks the strength to impose its will on the Senate, especially in the face of gubernatorial vetoes. McAuliffe has been adept at promoting Virginia. Republicans can work with him on economic development. We hope they do."

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Comment: I posted this because it's at least one election Mike Bloomberg wasn't able to buy.





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