Stolle still looking for dirt on defeated opponent
By Joel McDonald • Nov 24th, 2009 • Category: Blog, Campaigns & Elections
Sheriff-elect Ken Stolle is still digging up dirt on Captain John Bell, who he defeated in this year’s election for Virginia Beach Sheriff. Perhaps his concern about his former opponent is a signal of Republican concerns that the 2009 election may not have been a signal of Democratic weakness after all. After outspending Bell 10 to 1, Stolle still lost 30% of the vote to Bell. In an election year of widespread defeat for Democrats, Bell’s performance on election day may indicate that he and other Democrats may have lost, but there is still a significant strength within the party. Captain Bell didn’t purchase the name recognition needed to win the votes he received. This race wasn’t the slam dunk that many thought it was for Stolle. Had the party pulled together in support of local candidates, and focused local GOTV efforts, the outcome of the election could have been much different. In fact, I would say that Bell’s performance is a counterargument to any claims of a conservative mandate in Virginia Beach and beyond.
This seemingly has Ken Stolle worried enough to have his staff continue to look for evidence of misconduct to be used against Captain Bell. Specifically, a member of Stolle’s campaign staff has been requesting records of lost or stolen equipment from John Bell, detective bureau inspection reports from 2007 and 2008, and auditor reports from 2009. All of this information was requested on November 9th, almost a full week after the election. The requests for this information were politically motivated, but why make the requests after you’ve already won an election, unless you were worried about something?
No doubt the 2009 election was difficult for Democrats, but I don’t think it spells doom for the party, local, commonwealth wide, and nationally. 2010 brings the reelection campaign of Congressman Glenn Nye, and Republicans are lining up for the chance to take him on. Some are even calling for a primary, but there haven’t been any Democratic candidates who’ve stepped forward to take Nye on, contrary to reports based on incorrect information.
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- VBDC Beakfast and DPVA Unity Canvass
- From the Virginian-Pilot: Bill Fleming is Democratic Nominee in the 8th
- The night may be long
- Over 150 grassroots activists strongly support Brian Moran for Governor
Joel McDonald has been following Virginia politics since February 2008, starting with the Democratic Presidential Primary. Since then, he has been the primary new media contact for progressive district and statewide campaigns.
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You’ve got to be kidding me. Bell got 29.5% of the vote. That’s no sign of anything but failure. There is no silver lining. He was a bad candidate with amateur staff and a campaign plan that was dead on arrival. Stolle received more votes than any other contested candidate in all of Hampton Roads, even Bob McDonnell. Keep dreaming.
It wasn’t just a defeat, it was a slaughter.
Bell got served!
Maybe John and the Bell Ringers should be worried about what the FOIAs say.
Andrew, Philip, Sandra, Michael,
First, I think it’s adorable that you shared a computer to post your comments.
Did anyone expect Bell to pick up a quarter of the votes? The Sheriff’s race isn’t exactly a partisan race. It’s about name recognition. When you consider the very low amount spent on Bell’s campaign, and how many votes he picked up, I think there’s something admirable there, and something to make a note of. Stolle’s not letting this one go, and he would if Bell were a non-entity. Stolle and the rest of the local Republicans got lucky this election.
In the future, you can just post your comment under one name, preferably a real one.
It’s funny to think that you gave the inside track on politics, Joel. I feel sorry for you.
“Michael”
Politics is what it is. Facts, opinions, reality, and perception. I appreciate your concern.