04/10/19

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Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141

Vol. 35, No. 49 | Richmond Suburban News | April 10, 2019

Doran runs for Cold Harbor seat

Controversy swirling around 97th House seat By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER -- With the delegate pre-filing deadline fast approaching in three 97th District jurisdictions for a Republican Party convention scheduled for May 3, the contest continues to be one of Virginia’s most controversial nominations. Incumbent Del. Chris Peace, a 13-year veteran in Virginia’s General Assembly, is being challenged by Scott Wyatt, who represents the Cold Harbor District on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, for the Republican nomination. Traditionally, local committees honor the wishes of the incumbent candidate regarding which form of nominating process they prefer, convention versus primary.

In an earlier District Legislative Committee meeting, a three-man panel decided to opt for a convention even though Peace had clearly expressed his desire for a primary. That decision is again under scrutiny this week as Hanover County Republican Committee chair Dale Taylor claimed foul regarding the three-man decision. (Taylor’s press release appears in its entirety below.) The controversy involves Wyatt’s role in the decision to request a convention. Serving as Hanover’s legislative representative, Wyatt was seated on that three-man panel that ultimately opted against a primary. Although he did not attend the meeting, Wyatt sent a representative who voted in favor of the convention, a move some have described as “not

Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com

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File photos

Scott Wyatt, left, is challenging incumbent Chris Peace, right, for the 97th District Republican nomination to the Virginia House of Delegates. A convention is scheduled for May 4.

above board.” Last week, Taylor released a statement indicating Wyatt misled committee members regarding his intention to run for the office in question. The legislative committee meeting occurred on Jan. 19 and Wyatt officially announced his candidacy at a board of supervisors meeting on Jan. 23. “Prior to me becoming chairwoman, our former chairman, Russ Wright, appointed

Scott Wyatt to the Legislative District Committee for Hanover District 97. I allowed Wyatt to remain in this role because I was never properly notified that he would be seeking the nomination in the same district that he was making the majority decisions for,” Taylor said in the statement. Since Hanover has the largest number of Republican voters in the district that contains portions of Hanover and

King William counties and all of New Kent, their representative has the largest weighted vote on the committee. Taylor said Wyatt’s actions regarding the committee’s action could be perceived as a conflict of interest and also noted ethical concerns. “When Scott Wyatt appointed his own proxy to carry his vote for a convention without duly notifying see 97th, pg. 17

GOP chair ousts Wyatt from district committee

TAYLOR

(Editor’s note: The following was released Tuesday afternoon by Dale Taylor, chairwoman, Hanover County Republican Committee.) As the current chairwoman of the Hanover County Republican Committee, I am writing to advise that, effective immediately, I am taking action to remedy a situation that has

brought the integrity of our local committee and the openness of Republican process under question. Prior to me becoming chairwoman, our former chairman, Russ Wright, appointed Scott Wyatt to the Legislative District Committee for HD97. I allowed Wyatt to

remain in this role because I was never properly notified that he would be seeking the nomination in the same district that he was making the majority decisions for. When Wyatt appointed his own proxy to carry his vote for a convention without duly see GOP, pg. 18

ECHANICSVILLE -- James Doran is announcing his candidacy for the Cold Harbor District seat on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. A senior budget analyst for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Doran said he plans to use his experience in budget development and analysis to serve the citizens of Hanover County. He said he understands the imporDORAN tance of fiscal responsibility in local government decisions. “In listening to the residents of the Cold Harbor District, I have seen an eagerness to have a board member who listens to their needs and votes to support what is best for the residents of our district. I want to make sure Hanover County is making the best use of our tax dollars and looking for see DORAN, pg. 18


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