Sen. McEachin: Sen. Obenshain’s refusal to discuss Voting Rights Act “egregious”

Egregious, perhaps, but not surprising, coming from far-far-far-right-wingnut Mark Obenshain. Ugh. Let’s just hope the Justice Department takes action and blocks a redistricting map which Sen. Locke calls “clearly designed to protect incumbents without giving the minority population the opportunity to vote for candidates of their choice.”

Senator McEachin Expresses Dismay at the Senate Elections Committee Chair’s Refusal to Discuss Voting Rights Act

Richmond – Senator A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) released this statement about Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg)’s refusal to discuss the Voting Rights Act. Senator McEachin said, “I was very disappointed today that, in debate on the Floor of the Senate, Senator  Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) refusal to discuss the Voting Rights Act. The Senate is supposed to be a deliberative body and we should be prepared, willing and eager to discuss legal issues and our governing philosophies.

“Moreover, Senator Obenshain is the chair of the Privileges and Elections Committee and a candidate for the Republican nomination for Attorney General. Both these positions require and demand expertise and knowledge of the law.  This makes his refusal to even discuss the issue even more egregious.

“Finally, the Voting Rights Act is a significant part of Virginia’s recent history and has numerous impacts on the Commonwealth today. Agree or disagree with the Voting Rights Act, its tenets effect all Virginia citizens and all elected officials should at least be willing to debate it, but especially the chair of the elections committee who wants to be our attorney general.”