Today the State Board of Elections granted an extension to the paperwork filing deadline for all candidates who missed the date this year, a total of ten. The vote was 2-1.
This decision means that Bob Good, Republican nominee in the 5th Congressional District, will appear on the ballot and Delegate Nick Freitas will appear on the ballot should he win the Republican nomination for the 7th Congressional District, which will be decided on July 18.
This is the second time in as many years that Freitas missed at least one of the filing deadlines. It is inexcusable for this to happen, and then to happen a second time is completely baffling. Should he win the nomination, expect Rep. Spanberger and Democrats in the 7th to hammer Freitas over this. In a close election, this embarrassment could turn off enough voters to prevent the 7th from swinging back into the hands of the GOP.
In the 5th District, Good won the nomination last month at a dissembled convention. His opponent in the race, Rep. Denver Riggleman has yet to publicly concede the race. Hopefully today’s decision by the State Board will wake up Rep. Riggleman to the fact that he will not be in Congress next year.
The ballot in the 5th is set. The ballot in the 7th won’t have any problems. So let’s unite right now in the 5th, and get ready to unite in the 7th on the evening of July 18th. Then it is full speed to November. Both districts are winnable seats for Republicans, but not if we don’t come together to win.