Despite the poor weather, early turnout to fill the 8th District Senate seat left vacant when Ken Stolle won election as Virginia Beach Sheriff is heavy. Seen here is one voting place adjacent to an actual oceanfront area firehouse. Mayor Sessoms (inset center) was among the first to arrive. The winner of the primary will be the de facto winner of the general election in which there is no Democratic challenger. The Republicans have a choice between Virginia Beach City Councilmember Rosemary Wilson and businessman Jeff McWaters who founded AMERIGROUP. AMERIGROUP fashions itself as a provider of health care for America's needy. The managed health care provider targets people eligible for Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), FamilyCare, and Special Needs Plans. Wilson’s campaign has charged that McWaters is not a Republican, but a liberal who would force healthcare on everyone. A bit of the theater of the absurd.
The contest, which began with the announcement of Stolle’s race for Sheriff, has resulted in a great deal of activity and not a little acrimony within local Republican ranks (along with interesting alignments). Stolle, who received substantial support from McWaters in the primary, endorsed his benefactor, while his soon to be Chief Deputy, Dennis Free, endorsed Wilson. If that wasn’t a carefully calculated hedge to protect the interests of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Department, it should have been. Members of the City Council have split. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling entered the fray on the side of his fellow veteran of the health insurance industry. Throughout the summer and fall local and statewide campaigns, McWaters ingratiated himself to incumbents and standard bearers at both levels by conducting concurrent canvassing activities even before this seat was officially open.
