Category: Featured News

Mason’s College Republicans to Participate in DC Tea Party

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.

Mason’s College Republicans Host Fimian, Brescia

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.

Choi Drops Out of Race

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.

Dems Schedule a Health Care Community Conversation

Shannon Links Cuccinelli to McDonnell’s Thesis Debacle

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.

Campaigns Push to Raise Last Minute Funds for Report

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.

McDonnell Master’s Thesis Causes Big Stir

9:09 p.m.

Sunday’s Washington Post article detailing a Bob McDonnell thesis written in 1989 has caused a stir across the state. The paper, which was written for McDonnell’s master’s in public policy and law degree, was titled “The Republican Party’s Vision for the Family: The Compelling Issue of the Decade.”

According to a politico.com article, in an afternoon phone press conference, McDonnell insisted that he has changed his views on many social issues. Politico.com quotes him as saying “I think it’s unfortunate, but not surprising…that [Deeds] would turn to the divisive social issues to try to drive some enthusiasm for his campaign,” McDonnell said. “Senator Deeds, and I think this is the reason he is insisting on social issues on his campaign, has one of the worst records in recent Virginia history with supporting jobs and free enterprise.”

The Democrat Party of Virginia has also weighed in on the issue by releasing an ad bashing McDonnell for his thesis. The ad is set to scary music and as The Washington Post’s Rosalind Helderman writes “clips of puppies playing in a meadow would be frightening if set to the music used in this video.”

Initial McDonnell press release: Virginia Women Respond to Latest Deeds Attack

See what Mark Rozell, George Mason University political science professor, says about this.

Mason Votes will continue to update this story with the latest news.

The Political Minute: Aug. 24-28

Voting FAQs

Q: When is the next election?
A: The next election will be Tuesday, Nov. 2.

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A: You may fill out a Voter Registration Application which must be faxed, mailed or hand delivered by Oct. 5 to the Voter Registration Office for the county or city in which you live.

Q: How do I register for absentee voting?
A: Eligibility is based on very specific qualifications and the registration process for absentee voting depends on what makes you eligible. Click here to find out if you qualify and how to register. You must register either by Oct. 27 by mail or by Oct. 31 in person.

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