GOP: Firehouse Primary to Choose Candidate in 91st

By WYDaily Staff Friday, January 07, 2011

The 91st District Republican Committee has decided a firehouse primary will determine which candidate in a crowded field represents the GOP in a special election to replace Del. Thomas Gear, who resigned Dec. 30 for health reasons.

 

The primary will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. at three locations. All registered voters, not just those loyal to the Republican party, will be permitted to vote.

The winning candidate will go on to represent the Republican Party in the March 8 special election called by Gov. Bob McDonnell. Whether - or when - 91st District Democrats will field a candidate isn't known.

Voters in the 91st District who wish to participate in the firehouse primary will vote at the following locations:

York - Voters who normally vote in the following precincts will vote at the General Services Building & Grounds Building, 1801 Wolf Trap Rd., Yorktown: Seaford, Harris Grove and Dare.

Poquoson - Voters who normally vote in the City of Poquoson will vote at Emmaus Baptist Church, 814 Yorktown Rd., Poquoson.

Hampton - Voters who normally vote in the following precincts will vote at Syms Middle School, 170 Foxhill Rd., Hampton: Syms, Booker, Bryan, Burbank, Asbury, Langley, Machen and Phillips.

Poquoson Mayor Gordon Helsel, Jr. is the latest to declare his candidacy for Gear's seat. Helsel ran as an independent against Gear in November 2009, receiving 33 percent of the vote and coming in behind Gear, who received 48 percent. Democrat Sam Eure, Jr. was third, with 19 percent of votes cast.

Helsel joins three other 91st District Republicans who have indicated their candidacies: Seaford attorney Chad Green, Hampton City Councilman Chris Stuart and Hampton resident Teresa Vanasse Schmidt.

Helsel is no stranger to local politics. He was first elected to Poquoson City Council in 1982 and served as Vice Mayor from 1990 to 1994. He's been the city's elected mayor since 1996.

In a press release, Helsel said he was a "principled, conservative Delegate with the experience to hit the ground running in Richmond."

Voters, he added, "can count on me to fight against higher taxes and the further expansion of government. They can count on me to stand up for our job-creating businesses and against onerous regulation. They can count on me to support our traditional values and to protect life."

Those who wish to appear on the GOP firehouse primary ballot must file a written statement by mail or in person by Jan. 13. Details are available by clicking here.

Any candidate who does file to appear on the GOP firehouse primary ballot pledges to support the primary's Republican winner, who will run in the March 8 special election. Whoever wins will be up for re-election come November.