Author: Cay Smith
By Mason Votes Director Christian Smith
Updated Sept. 10, 10:45 p.m.
The George Mason University chapter of the College Republicans will be taking a group into the District on Saturday to participate in the Tea Party Express. Saturday’s march will be the culmination of the express’ 15 day tour of America which began in California on August 28. The tour seeks to “highlight some of the worst offenders in Congress who have voted for higher spending, higher taxes, and government intervention in the lives of American families and businesses,” according to their website.
The College Republicans will be meeting at the Fairfax Campus’ CUE Bus stop at 8 a.m. According to their website, a larger group will gather at the Freedom Plaza at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 a.m. and the actual march to the Capitol will begin at 11:30 a.m. At 1 p.m. a protest will begin at the Capitol’s West Front.
By Mason Votes Director Christian Smith
The George Mason University chapter of the College Republicans’ first meeting brought to campus Keith Fimian, 2010 candidate for 11th district House of Representatives seat, and Eric Brescia, candidate for House of Delegates in the 47th district.
Brescia began the evening by describing himself as a libertarian-like Republican, announcing that if elected he would work towards repealing the Marshall-Newman amendment.
The economy, however, was the biggest topic of the evening.
“I like numbers, I’m good at numbers but what we are doing is absolutely irresponsible,” said Fimian. “These politicians are reaching into the public troughs…these people do not care about you.”
Fimian, who announced his candidacy this summer, is just coming off his loss to Gerry Connolly (D-11) last November.
“I will win this seat the next time around because my ideas are better then Gerry Connolly…My ideas are better than stale old Democrat ideas.”
The College Republicans next meeting will be Sept. 15.
By Mason Votes Director Christian Smith
Mason Votes has learned that Anna Marie Choi, Green candidate in the 37th District House of Delegates race, has dropped out of the race. In an exclusive message to Mason Votes, Robert Taylor, spokesman for the Choi campaign, said “As far as I know, Anna Choi gave up and let down all her supporters.”
Choi’s website had been running on a platform that highlighted transportation issues especially the establishment of a light rail. It is unclear how much of her campaign was integrated with the company Europe Korea Resort. Taylor and Choi both worked for the company and her website’s url was www.EuropeKoreaResort.com. The campaign website also displays advertisement for the company including a promotional video.
George Mason University students talk about the gubernatorial election.
Brandyn Keating Virginia State Director of Organizing for America has just sent out an email inviting people to their Community Conversation on Health Care. The event will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center and moderated by Wendell Potter the Senior Fellow on Health Care for the Center for Media and Democracies
Democratic candidate for Virginia Attorney General Steven Shannon is now linking his republican opponent, Ken Cuccinelli, to republican gubernatorial Bob McDonnell’s master’s thesis troubles.
“As Attorney General you have to have focus and priorities, and Virginia has some very serious crime fighting challenges that have to be met over the next four years. Virginians deserve to know that Ken Cuccinelli shares the startling political agenda that is outlined in Bob McDonnell’s thesis,” said Shannon spokesman Brian Coy.
Mason Votes called Cuccinelli’s office for a response. Campaign officials have promised to contact us with a statement soon. This post will be updated when that statement is given.
Periodically, candidates must submit reports detailing their expenditures and contributions. Campaigns use these numbers as type of barometer of success and compete heavily to raise more money their opponent(s). Today is the end of the July 1-Aug. 31 period and campaigns are almost begging supporters to contribute before midnight tonight.
“Today is a big day for our campaign as we close the books on another fundraising reporting period and set the stage for the fall campaign. How many calls we can make, doors we can knock, mailings we can send, and TV ads we can run depend on your continued generosity,” wrote Jody Wagner in an email.
The numbers will be published on Sept. 15 and will affect the campaigns ability to advertise and canvas. These funds are important for gubernatorial candidates like Creigh Deeds (D) who was behind Bob McDonnell (R) in a Washington Post poll 40 to 47 percent. However, in the last reporting period, Deeds out-fundraised McDonnell by over 1.5 million dollars.
The State Board of Elections provides Financial Disclosure Reports for all candidates. The Virginia Public Access Project also provides detailed breakdown of campaign finances in a more visually stimulating way.
Click here for the State Board of Elections’ Easy Voter Guide.
Also, here is some information pertaining to student voters.