An important note: the timing is still very much up in the air on this. What we do know is that it will not be in May or June, due both to the timing of Matt’s exact resignation (which also means Lohr will serve in the reconvened session) and state code prohibiting primaries and special elections being on the same day. What will be interesting to watch is if Governor McDonnell calls the election before November–this could give us some hint as to a) if the two special sessions on government reform and transportation are in the works and b) what his support looks like in the House on these issues. Right now, though, the House is not where the big questions are–it’s the Senate where any proposals by McDonnell live or die. The fact that Delegate Sam Nixon was also picked off signals that McDonnell probably isn’t all that worried about the House, but from the looks of it there likely won’t be any Democrats for him to be able to pick off in exchange for cushy appointments–not with the current political atmosphere being so black and white.

According to the DNR, Democrats in the County have gone with a caucus, and the city seems likely to follow. My money for the GOP? Convention. But after my list of potential contenders in the 26th, you might want to look elsewhere for your political betting insights….

Comments? Questions? Angry harangues? Leave it the comments, but remember: I didn’t write this. I only voted for it (and it wasn’t worth the fight to change this year).

CALL TO SHENANDOAH COUNTY, VIRGINIA
REPUBLICAN PARTY PRECINCT MASS MEETINGS
AND COUNTY CONVENTION

As Chairman of the Shenandoah County Republican Committee, pursuant to the Plan of Organization of
the Republican Party of Virginia, and as recommended and directed by the Shenandoah County Republican
Committee at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 11, 2010, I, Michael Monahan, do hereby issue this
Call for Precinct Mass Meetings and a County Convention to be held as follows:

Precinct mass meetings will be held in the sixteen precincts of Shenandoah County at the following
locations on

Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 7:30 PM

Orkney Springs – Fire/Rescue Building
Forestville – Community Center
New Market – Rescue Squad
Conicville – Fire Hall
Mt. Jackson – Town Hall
Columbia Furnace – United Methodist Church
Edinburg – Fire Hall
St. Luke – Parish Hall
Woodstock  – Circuit Courtroom
Fort Valley – Fire Hall
Cedar Creek – Community Center
Mt. Olive – Methodist Parish Hall
Toms Brook – United Methodist Church
Lebanon Church – Community Center
Strasburg – Town Hall
Signal Knob – Town Hall

The purpose of the precinct mass meetings is to elect delegates and alternate delegates to the Shenandoah
County Republican Convention to convene at Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia, or its alternate
site on

Friday, April 30, 2010 at 7:30 PM

The purposes of the convention are:

1. To elect a Chairman, Precinct Membership, and six (6) District Chairmen of the Shenandoah
County Republican Committee, in accordance with the Plan of Organization of the Republican
Party of Shenandoah County, Virginia, and for the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the Convention; and

2. To elect 85 delegates and 85 alternate delegates to represent Shenandoah County at the Sixth
Congressional District Convention of the Republican Party of Virginia to be held at Towns
Alumni Center at Liberty University, 1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA on Saturday, May 22,
2010 at 10:00 a.m.  The purposes of the District Convention shall be: to elect a District Chairman,
to elect three regional Vice Chairmen, and for the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the Convention.

Voluntary Registration Fee

A voluntary registration fee of $1 is requested of each delegate and alternate delegate to the County
Convention, but it is not required to participate in the convention. A voluntary registration fee of $20.00 is
requested of each delegate and alternate delegate to the Sixth District Convention, to be paid when the
certification is filed with the District Chairman. All fees are subject to the limits and prohibitions of the
Federal Election Campaign Act and are not tax-deductible.

Allotment of Delegate Votes

The convention shall be composed of delegates and alternate delegates from the respective precincts they
represent.  Representation shall be based on a percentage of the total number of Republican votes cast in
each precinct in the last Presidential and Gubernatorial elections combined.  Each precinct will be allowed
one (1) delegate vote and one (1) alternate vote for each seventy-five (75) Republican votes cast, or a major
fraction thereof.  Each precinct shall be entitled to at least one (1) delegate vote.  Up to five (5) delegates
may be elected for each delegate vote, but no delegate shall have less than one-fifth (1/5) of a vote.
Pursuant to Section H (3) of the Plan of Organization of the Republican Party of Virginia, each precinct
delegation shall vote full vote at the convention unless otherwise designated by the electing members of the
precinct at its mass meeting.  Precincts shall be entitled to vote as follows:

Orkney Springs – 9 Delegate Votes and 9 Alternate Votes
Forestville – 10 Delegate Votes and 10 Alternate Votes
New Market – 27 Delegate Votes and 27 Alternate Votes
Conicville – 23 Delegate Votes and 23 Alternate Votes
Mt. Jackson – 17 Delegate Votes and 17 Alternate Votes
Columbia Furnace – 10 Delegate Votes and 10 Alternate Votes
Edinburg – 23 Delegate Votes and 23 Alternate Votes
St. Luke – 16 Delegate Votes and 16 Alternate Votes
Woodstock – 33 Delegate Votes and 33 Alternate Votes
Fort Valley – 12 Delegate Votes and 12 Alternate Votes
Cedar Creek – 2 Delegate Votes and 2 Alternate Votes
Mt. Olive – 18 Delegate Votes and 18 Alternate Votes
Toms Brook – 16 Delegate Votes and 16 Alternate Votes
Lebanon Church – 14 Delegate Votes and 14 Alternate Votes
Strasburg – 27 Delegate Votes and 27 Alternate Votes
Signal Knob – 11 Delegate Votes and 11 Alternate Votes

Vote Total:  268 Delegate Votes and 268 Alternate Votes
Delegate Total:  1340 Delegates and 1340 Alternate Delegates

Candidacy Filing Requirements

Candidates for the election for the position of Shenandoah County Republican Committee Chairman shall
file a written declaration of candidacy by mail or in person to Mrs. Amanda McDonald Wiseley, Secretary
of the Shenandoah County Republican Committee by Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 5:00 pm to Amanda
Wiseley, Secretary of the Shenandoah County Republican Committee, 183 East King Street, Strasburg,
Virginia 22657. Postmarks shall not be considered.  Only those who so file may stand for election at this
Convention.  Should only one person file for chairman under these requirements then he/she shall
automatically be declared elected as chairman. No nominations shall be accepted from the floor of the
County Convention, unless no candidate files for the position.
Qualifications for Participation

All legal and qualified voters of Shenandoah County, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex,
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican
Party and who, if requested to express in open meeting, either orally or in writing as may be required, their
intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of
the Republican Party of Virginia in the Convention. All individuals desiring to participate in the
Convention may be required to present some form of identification such as a voter registration card,
driver’s license, or other positive identification.

One organization going a long way to help on both the research front as well as the survivorship front is the Lymphoma Research Foundation. In the past I have supported ACS and LLS, but lately I’ve moved towards LRF because they have a very efficient fundraising operation (over 85% of their fundraising goes back into programs). Additionally, they support my oncologist at UVA, Dr. John Densmore, through grant money.

To help support their programs and mark three cancer free years, I will be completing a 5k walk in Rock Creek Park, Maryland on May 16th. I know that times are tough, but your small donation can go a long way to help fight this disease and provide much needed support to an under-served part of the survivor community.

5k is that daunting, but as I said the disease has presented some issues for me, as well as my car accident back in September, so I plan on doing some training to be able to complete the walk problem free (and make sure I don’t have terrible blisters from unprepared shoes). You’ll be able to track my progress here at the blog–however, if you’d like to support me financially, click here to donate.

Thanks for taking a moment to read about this endeavor close to my heart. We’ll return to our regular political coverage shortly, so don’t go into withdrawals on me

Congressman Goodlatte is of course a firm no vote for the Democratic health package, but certainly all of our representatives need to hear from us, particularly in these trying economic times as they try to hold the line on both taxes and spending. I likely won’t be able to make it, but I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to bend the Congressman’s ear and support his upcoming bid for re-election.

Goodlatte’s visit comes on the heels of his endorsement of Shenandoah County Republican Vice-Chairman Jeremy McCleary in his run for the mayor of Woodstock.

1. This special was triggered by a happy event, not tragedy, and Delegate Lohr has made clear his intention to leave the House
2. Rockingham and Harrisonburg have very active and vocal committees
3. Given the redness of the county, there are a large number of Republican elected officials who could conceivably run, to say nothing of former officials and candidates.
4. Given recent performance by the Democrats in Harrisonburg, this seat will be viewed as at least somewhat in play by DPV, particularly given that redistricting will likely move the district inwards towards Harrisonburg and take away some of the most Republican territory in the district

If you still think I’m jumping the gun, forgive me. Sometimes you just can’t help yourself when it comes to intra-party intrigue. So what will the process look like? Well, from my reading of state law, primaries CANNOT be held in the event of special elections, so the nominee is going to be chosen using one of three party-run mechanisms: a firehouse canvass (which is essentially a primary except run by the party and generally not for the full 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. timeframe of public primaries), a convention (in which Delegates are elected by the units {in this case Harrisonburg and Rockingham} and the number of Delegates elected by each are determined by the unit’s relative strength in the District), or a mass meeting (in which all Republicans may participate but again is run for a much shorter period of time and according to the rules of parliamentary procedure). I think a mass meeting is highly unlikely given the district comprises two units. We may see some wrangling over the method itself–however, the vote on the method will fall to just two men–Dave Huffman, Rockingham County Chair, and Tracy Evans, Harrisonburg City Chair. A nominee must be selected either a) within five days of the writ being issued if the election is to be held less than 35 days from the time it was issued or b) no less than thirty days before the special election. The method of nomination may very well dictate who gets in and who doesn’t given that some methods will clearly not favor some candidates.

We will have continuing analysis of the district throughout the week, including the interplay of deeply red Rockingham and purplish Harrisonburg, along with the effect redistricting will have on the district as well as the campaign. However, for the time being I want to start by discussing the candidates in play. Again, this may seem to be jumping the gun, but let’s be honest–the jockeying has already begun. Additionally, the announcement comes just days before the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Lincoln Day Dinner sponsored by the combined Republican Women’s Club, so there will definitely be some jousting going on by that time. Below the fold is a blow by blow for the names floating around. For right now we’ll start with the Republican side for one simple reason–I know the players.

Let’s kick things off with the two candidates I see LEAST likely to join the fray.

Mike Meredith, Former Rockingham County GOP Chair

Mike has a master political mind and is extremely good with the media. Additionally, he is a small businessman and can talk the fiscal talk dominating the current political landscape. Additionally, he has long time ties to the social conservatives led by Dean Welty of the Valley Family Forum. However, I see his candidacy as unlikely for three reasons. First and foremost, its not clear he lives in the district. He lives in Elkton but may actually be in the 15th. Unlike with Congress (see Morgan Griffifth in the 9th) you actually have to live in your district to serve it in the General Assembly (see Dave Marsden’s manuvering to capture Ken Cuccinelli’s open seat). Secondly, Mike has recently scaled back his political involvement, resigning as county chair (though he remains in charge of publicity). Third, his business is the Printing Express, which in addition to being Matt Lohr’s main vendor also serves Republicans throughout the state, which could raise questions in the media. Meredith is likely satisfied with the influence he can wield now, so I predict will ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT RUN.

John Elledge, J.D., Former Legislative Assistant to Glenn Weatherholtz

Elledge is a lawyer in town but is likely better known as Glenn Weatherholtz’s longtime legislative assistant. Glenn left the seat in 2005, and Elledge was ready to run, going so far as to file a committee with the state. However, behind the scenes moves led to then County School Board member Matt Lohr developing an early lead, causing Elledge to drop the race before the nomination was even decided. Elledge still hangs around some, but his law firm may be big enough now that it wouldn’t be in his best interest to run. Someone has already posted the notion on Elledge’s facebook page but he has stated that there is a candidate he will likely defer to. I believe he LIKELY WILL NOT RUN.

Now let’s move onto elected officials, starting first with two constitutional officers. A general note: I believe both men start as pretty much clean slates for the simple reason that they don’t have to take any votes and therefore do not have much of a record to be scrutinized. Their potential candidacies rise and fall on personality and party service.

Lowell Barb, Rockingham County Commissioner of the Revenue

Barb was elected to the office of Commissioner in November 2008 when the sudden death of Commissioner Richard Connellee shortly following his re-election triggered a special election. Lowell is well liked in Republican circles and overwhelmingly won over Democrat Esther Nizer. He and his wife are also master organizers, and Barb hits every single parade and lawn party in the County every year. However, he’s run a relatively low key operation as Commissioner, though he hasn’t rocked the boat at all. His biggest calculation–if the serious pay cut he would face as Delegate is worth it. I’d rate him as MIGHT RUN but likely to defer if another big name gets in.

Chaz Evans-Haywood, Clerk of Court Harrisonburg-Rockingham

Chaz, an Army Veteran and JMU grad, is a long time fixture in Republican circles, having previously served as then Senator George Allen’s liasion in the Valley. Chaz won a bruising ELEVEN WAY race to become the next Court of Clerk, fending off a well positioned Democrat and numerous independents, including a few who played the famous “…..but I’m really a Republican” card (usually the go-to for those who are foiled at the nomination or just don’t think its worth the headache to even try but still want the office). Chaz is very well organized and does a pretty good job of keeping the relatively low key office in the public view, particularly through its preservation work. He has also maintained very strong ties to the local committee, serving as City Committee Vice-Chairman. Again the biggest question for him–is it worth the pay cut? Additionally, his running and winning the seat would trigger ANOTHER special election. Would the voters punish the party for playing musical chairs? I’d rate him for a POSSIBLE RUN depending on who gets in.

Now onto other potential candidates from another set of electeds: Council and Board members.

Kerri Wilson, Harrisonburg City School Board Member

Wilson was previously chair of the Harrisonburg City Committee. She resigned her position after being elected and has not been quite as active in the Committee as other potential candidates. However, she maintains very close ties to the Obenshains. The biggest obstacle for Kerri: Her husband is Judge Thomas Wilson of the Circuit Court, meaning she’d be seeking election to the body that controls his appointment. Still, the early rumors are that she is definitely considering a bid. I’d rate her as a LIKELY RUN.

Tom Mendez, Harrisonburg City School Board Member

Mendez, father of six children, is a Vice-President at BB&T Insurance Services and a member of the City School Board. Tom had been rumored as a potential candidate for City Council. However, Greg Coffman, one of his colleagues, has announced, and former Councilman Charlie Chenault and Ted Byrd may yet duke it out for one of two nominations. Additionally, Mendez has drawn fire for a joke he made at the expense of former President George W. Bush at a meeting with teachers, although his Facebook page lists him as a fan of the Governor, Scott Brown, and Bob Goodlatte. Given that this was already causing him issues for a Council run, I’d rate him as a COULD RUN but will face an uphill battle.

Pablo Cuevas, Rockingham County Board of Supervisors Chairman

Cuevas, a retired VP with Riddleberger Construction, has been on the county board since 1990. Before that he was on the County planning commission and on Broadway Town Council. Cuevas is a relatively low key figure but has a following of his own. He’s securely in the district and has always been re-elected with huge margins. However, having been on the board that long means he has taken hundreds of recorded votes, and not everyone on the county committee is satisfied with the current board’s view on development. Cuevas is secure in his Board seat but these votes could take on a whole new meaning in a nomination fight. I’d rate him tentatively as UNLIKELY TO RUN.

Now for the final group: party activists. All of these are former public officeholders or elected officials, but they aren’t currently in office, so they clearly have to work the party and get a cadre of loyalists behind them to get the nomination.

Penny Paul Imeson, former GOP Candidate for Harrisonburg Treasurer

Imeson, a small business owner, was the GOP City Committee’s candidate for Treasurer in 2008 following a corruption scandal which booted the incumbent out of office. Facing Democratic headwinds and a squeaky clean independent, she came in third. Penny remains active in the committee and has close ties to the Obenshains, but her skills and mindset seem to lean far more towards an administrative position rather than the legislature. I’d rate her as LIKELY NOT TO RUN.

Tracy Evans, former City Council candidate and current Harrisonburg City Chair

Evans, a lawyer in a firm with John Elledge, lost his bid for City Council against strong Democratic turnout. Evans, at 34, certainly remains interested in public office, but would he take on a crowded field? Additionally, he’s got partial responsibility for running this rodeo, and activists may get upset if he is a candidate but is also making the rules. At this point I’d rate him as COULD RUN but likely to defer.

Judy Way, former Dayton City Council member and County GOP Secretary

Judy, a waitress, was formerly Mayor of Dayton until she lost re-election in 2008. She was also Secretary of the 6th Congressional District Committee until June 2008. Judy remains a vocal advocate for her principles and a dedicated party servant, as she is very involved in the local Republican women. Two questions: Just how big is her following, and can she set the tone for the race to shake perceptions about her political past? I’d rate her as LIKELY TO RUN barring an all star candidate coalescing support early on.

That’s just about all I can think of for right now. Have more tips? More leads? Share them in the comments below.

Lohr is a familiar face to those in the Valley, including Shenandoah County, as he often appears on WHSV, the main station for the area. Lohr previously served as a statewide FFA officer and runs his own family farm and pick your own pumpkin patch. I’ve worked very closely with the Delegate on several campaigns and worked with his staff during his first year in the House (he and Delegate Gilbert were both members of the class of 2005). Lohr is definitely an excellent pick for the position, as he brings both extensive knowledge and passion to the position. His letter to supporters is below the fold.

Of course, even with this happy news for the Lohr Family, this does mean that a special election will be triggered in Harrisonburg and creates practical political concerns. The seat went heavily for Lohr in the fall, scoring 73% of the vote and even carrying the city proper, which was the first time a Republican Delegate candidate had since 2001. However, Democrats currently control city council, and they won in 2005 (Kaine only), 2006 and 2008. The city makes up a slim majority of the district, so it could be in play. Still, the overwhelmingly Republican nature of the district makes me lean towards making this a likely Republican hold.

The field may already be cleared, but names to watch as the election develops, on the Republican side:

Chaz Evans Haywood, Clerk of Court
Tom Mendez, City School Board
Mike Meredith, former GOP Chairman
John Elledge, former LA to Delegate Glenn Weatherholtz
Tracy Evans, former city council candidate and City GOP Chair
Kerri Wilson, former City GOP Chair and City School Board Member
Pablo Cuevas, Board of Supervisors member

On the Democratic side:

Kai Denger, Mayor
Gene Hart, Democratic nominee in 2009
Lowell Fulk, Democratic nominee in 2003 and 2005

Wild cards (independents):
Rodney Eagle, 2003 State Senate candidate and former Mayor
Carolyn Frank, 2005 Independent Candidate for Delegate and Councilwoman
Myron Rhodes, local political gadfly and blogger

We’ll track this story as it develops. This may even be enough intrigue to convince me to attend the Rockingham-Harrisonburg LDD this Friday.

As promised, I have something to write about. Well, it may not be of interest to the Virginia Blogosphere at large, but there are some tidbits that play into outside races, and in the interest of picking back up local political coverage, here it is. This was the first meeting in nearly seven years that I did not have to speak at, and I must say: I certainly understand the tedium that can build in the cheap seats now.

First up were various reports from Chairman Mike Monahan and the other officers of the committee. Not much there, other than the expected kudos for electioneering activities and our victories in November. Of note–the Committee will be hosting its Annual Lincoln Day Dinner two Fridays from now, March 26th, at 6:15 p.m. at the Yellow Barn Complex at Shenandoah Caverns. Congressman Goodlatte, Delegate Gilbert, and Senator Obenshain will all be there–however, we’ll also be hearing from Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, as well as RPV Chairman Pat Mullins. I suspect we’ll also be seeing our candidates for Congressional District Chairman. Tickets start at $20 and details are available here. (Full disclosure: I am both a sponsor of the dinner and also purchased ad space to promote this modest venture of mine)

We also heard from Clay Sutton, the new district coordinator for Congressman Bob Goodlatte. He’s a 2009 graduate of James Madison University (right in our backyard) and a native of the area, so its good to have some local contact in the office. He informed us that Congressman Goodlatte is indeed seeking renomination and passed around petitions to get Bob on the June primary ballot. There will not be a primary if the Congressman is the only nominee, but the process still needs to take place. If you see a petition, be sure to sign it.

We then had reports from the always vibrant Maud Shell, who thanked everyone for our phenomenal showing at various events throughout the last campaign, as well as from our financial gurus Tresaurer Robin Hoover and and Finance Chair Blake Phillips. We’re in good financial position with just over $5k in the bank, but it was noted that we need to take full advantage to build our coffers for 2011, when we’ll essentially need to run campaigns for our Constitutional Officers and Supervisors with little support from the state party, both in terms of resources and cash.

Perhaps the biggest (and most important) part of the meeting was the report from the Bylaws Committee, tendered by Vito Gentile. Our party plan can only be changed at the biennial organizing convention (something that itself I have suggested for review by the Committee). Generally speaking there is happiness with the document (though again, I think it could use some substantial rearrangement, but everything is there that legally needs to be there), but the State Central Committee has passed several changes to the state party plan, which guides the structure of each district and unit committee, neccesitating some alterations to our document. Some of these changes were of a nature that we need not take action, as the state plan is the final end all and be all of several different mechanisms. I am currently pushing that the applicable sections of the state plan (Articles 6 and 7) be printed as an appendix to our own party plan as clarification for members who may not have ready access to this document (though it should be pointed out that it is always available here at RPV.org), but again, this would not be an official change to the party plan but rather a housekeeping measure. The four changes that have been proposed are: automatic removal of members in the event of their publicly supporting a candidate opposing the Republican nominee in the general election; allowing electronic email to serve as written notice for meetings; clairification regarding who can be a Delegate to a convention; and allowing 1/3rds of the Executive Committee to call a meeting. Since some of these changes have rather wide reaching implications, I will write a more substantive post on them later this evening.

We then heard from electoral board member Bev Fleming, who noted that as the prevailing party in the last Gubernatorial election we have picked up a member, while the Dems have lost one. New electronic poll books are on the way, although they will not be in place for the upcoming town elections. Additionally, election officials are desperately needed for the GOP in Columbia Furnace, although the EB is authorized to insert officials from other precincts if needed.

We then heard from Al Mitchell, Commonwealth’s Attorney, and Tim Carter, Sheriff. Both underscored ongoing troubles related to the budget process, with Mitchell noting that under outgoing Governor Kaine’s budget his office stands to lose a prosecutor as well as its secretary. Chairman David Ferguson of the Board of Supervisors made the same case as well–in good news, however, he noted that several members of the Board have already come out strongly against raising taxes. Several members were curious about when we’ll see the new tax rate, with Supervisor Ferguson suggesting that it should be within the next thirty days, when both the full impact of the state budget is known and the real estate reassesment process should be complete. I trust the members at their word and will only add that citizen activists should be on the watch during the coming finalization of the tax rate. Suffice it to say, though, that as a businessman Dave Ferguson seems to “get” both the impact of decreased revenues as well as the harsh economic effects of a tax hike during these troubling economic times. Chairman Ferguson also cleared the air regarding the Free Press’s recent reporting cost overruns on two county construction projects. More on that later.

The final report was tendered by 6th District Regional Vice-Chair Vito Gentile. He announced the Sixth District Convention, to be held on May 21st in Lynchburg. The annual gala will be that evening–with word that there will only be two candidates for Chair, things should wrap up in plenty of time. Note that this convention, as ours, is ONLY to elect party officers, namely three Vice-Chairs and the Chairman. The District Committee has selected a primary as our method to choose our Congressional nominee, which will presumably be Congressman Goodlatte. It should also be noted that Vice-Chair Gentile announced that he will not be a candidate for re-election in Lynchburg.

The only substantial order of business for the evening was the approval of the call for the county convention. It should be noted that, in sharp contrast to many rural localities, Shenandoah County still utilizes a County Convention. Rather than have a mass meeting at which any Republican leaning voter (note: there are no registered Republicans in Virginia–if you want to contest me on this, please show me it on your voter registration card) may attend and vote, individuals interested in being part of process (this time, electing committee officials and delegates to the Sixth District Convention) must first be elected as Delegates by a precinct mass meeting, to be held in each precinct at 7:30 on Thursday, April 8, 2010. One does not have to pre-file to be elected as a delegate–however, I should say that it behooves interested individuals to attend the mass meeting, as something could slip through the cracks. Individuals who are elected as delegates are then the only ones entitled to vote at the convention, which will be held on Friday, April 30th at Central High at 7:30. Candidates for precinct or district office or delegate to the Sixth District Convention do not have to prefile–however, candidates for Unit Chair must pre-file by March 25th. In the interest of full disclosure, I will post the full call in the next few days.

The meeting wrapped up at about 8:45. The meeting passed without any news on the one issue that some are interested in: who will be running for County Chair. Chairman Monahan made no mention of any intention to seek re-election, but again, we still have some time to go on this process. I am, however, hearing some names thrown around, so when news does happen on this front, expect to see it here first.

Coming up soon: Video from the Lincoln Day Dinner in Shenandoah County, and (possibly) film from the next County Republican Women’s meeting, as well as plenty of news about upcoming inter-party and local political fights, and the occasional thought on teaching.

I know, I know, the decade isn’t officially over. We all heard it at the “not quite” end of the last decade, century and millenium. There was no year zero, A.D. versus B.C., blah blah blah. But let’s face it–a year of 365 days (366 every four years, unless it can be divided by one hundred, unless it…..uh….whatever) beginning on Janurary 1st and ending on December 31st is a Western Convention, one subscribed to by many people. Psychologically that one change in the third digit means a great deal to a good number of people. And so we have a year end flurry of best of/worst of/most important, and every ten years that turns into an orgy as the world’s scribes attempt to give the past ten years some sort of definition that society at-large can agree on.

For a little bit there in early December it seemed as if the media was going to let this one slide. Then Time had to wade into the mess and dub the Oughties, Zeros, double os, whatever “The Decade from Hell.” Perhaps this was a foregone conclusion from the minute the clock struck midnight on Janurary 1st, 2000 and nothing happened, minus an accidental nuclear alert in Japan and a few slot machines going down in Delaware. Total buzzkill after all the lead up to the end of the world. And so wordsmiths were left struggling to dub the decade long hangover. So far, our best lingusitic minds have yet to agree on a standard.

Personally, I’m alright with it going nameless. In many ways it parallels the “lost generation” that came of age following World War One, except we’re still embroiled in conflict. Whatever the case, it was one hell of a tobaggen ride, regardless of your affiliations. Disputed election in the most prominent democracy on Earth, a major terrorist attack on that same nation, an era of ever more shrill political commentators on both sides of the aisle, two conflicts pitting America against the Islamic world, two recessions, massive new technological developments that turned Facebook from a name for a rather obscure type of college publication to a verb, a string of new web ventures that seemingly sound as if they were named by three year olds…..yep, it had it all.

The decade from hell? Not quite. As Adam Sharp points out, there was “some good stuff in the middle.” And I think he’s right–although again, within the realm of politics, “middle” means 2002-2004 for Republicans and 2005-2008 for Democrats. On face value, though, this was a decade of massive yet relatively subtle change. It wasn’t quite the sixties–the sixties was a time when new ideas, the resurrection of old ideologies, and a generational shift gave way to very noticeable and often tragic events.There were no assasinations this decade, not in America at least.

Yet in a very big way, walls came down like never before, most noticeably in the way we communicate with our fellow man. Though the nineties gave us hypertext markup protocol (or the “web” for those of you who can’t remember when the internet was subdivided into very defined protocols, such as telenet, usenet, and IRC), it was in this decade that the web became not only a platform for, well, everything but also a ubiquitous force in our lives. How am I supposed to tell my students that, when I was their age, the only way to log on to the internet was a computer? That no school would have made any mention of banning phones with texting capabilities, because they just didn’t exist? And that this was all only a little more than a decade ago??

For me personally, it was also a decade of ups and downs. I got two diplomas (one from Central High, one from UVA), almost started on a third, getting ready to start for real on a third, thought I had found a career path twice, had some relationships slip, made some amazing new friends, tested some of these to nearly the breaking point, won some awards, and had more than a few “dark nights of the soul.” Strangely, in the course of ten years I managed to end up back exactly where I started–in the field of high school speech and debate. Frankly, I couldn’t be happier. It’s a paradox–we all expect high school debaters to go on and be the next generation of lawyers and politicians. Indeed, I tried that, and I’ll admit–the skills I learned in debate have certainly aided my political efforts quite substantially. I like to think that, in my own little way, I added to the flow of history. Do I cherish every moment? No. Yet, perhaps naively, I like to think that I made some kind of difference for the principles I hold dear.

However, through the loss of both of my grandfathers, a battle with cancer, job loss, emotional and mental struggles, and a nearly fruitless decade long search to get my first kiss (made it by eleven months), a funny thing happened. I lost myself. I didn’t lose my principles, but I got lost in them. I began to think everything was about winning or losing, a zero sum game. I became consumed with politics to a point where I forgot why I was doing it. I had no real outside interests. I first realized this when I found myself dry heaving in the parking lot after Obama was declared the victor in 2008. Not because of my disdain for his politics, but because I had completely given myself up, and we still lost, and had still not made the changes I wanted with the county committee. Still, it took me another year and another spiral to finally do something about it.

So here I sit, I feel, a changed man. I can’t say that I’m completely rid of the political bug. Something, someone will pull me back in a little deeper. For now, though, I am content to help a new generation discover their true potential, to tap deep within themselves in the search for justice and goodness. Because that’s all I’m really after–an honest, truth seeking society that values knowledge. The best way to do that? Find a new platform in which to be an agent of change. I believe I have found it–in the field of education.

So another year passes, and heck if I know what it has in store for me. I know what’s on the immediate horizon, and I know what I want. There is no force outside of me, however, that will make sure that what I envision comes to fruition. It’s up to me. That is, all at once, a truly sobering, frightening, and liberating thought.

That brings me back to my original point. It really doesn’t matter what we call it. The years are all in the eyes and mind of the individual. We are simply in the stream of human existence–an unending, unbroken way. Yes, we are pushed by it, but we are not controlled by it. It is up to us to determine which way we will go.

And so, happy new year, even though I don’t put much stock in such things. May you find yourself some day, if even not tomorrow.

Bolling and Cooch shirt with just a small sampling of the veritable Baskin Robbins that was the McDonnell bumper sticker effort

Close up with some of the locals

More coalition stickers

More locals and coalitions

Even more coalitions stickers

8x10s of the statewide candidates that hung in the Page Co booth, along with a ubiquitous Bobs for Jobs sign

Items from the convention plus the morning after the election

Close up of my credentials, plus a signed folder from Mark Moseley

Invites to inaugural festivities, plus celebratory buttons

More buttons (note that I didn’t have enough for this box, so a few ’05, ’08 and even a Chuck Smith button slipped in)

A few official buttons, some by seconday vendors and committees, and two I had commissioned myself (Maureen for First Lady and Dukes for McDonnell)

And my prized posession: a framed photo of the infamous barn next to 81 in Augusta County, signed by all the local delegates, the statewides, Congressman Goodlatte, and Michael Steele

My New Year’s wish to my former colleagues: my all of you see as much success in your new gigs as we did together as part of the Virginia Victory effort.

And to those I worked with, both staff and volunteers: It was an honor and privellege, and a fitting capstone to my professional political career.