Thanks to Cragg Hines – 8th CD Democratic Committee member, Virginia Elector, journalist, etc. – for asking the (rhetorical) question: “Political activists have been automatically excluded from the Redistricting Commission but political fatcats are hunky-dory?” Hines continues:
“Perhaps that’s why Senate Republicans have nominated Marvin W. Gilliam, a coal boss from Bristol, who according to VPAP has given $927, 019 to Virginia political campaigns — and all but $3,000 of that to Republicans.
That includes more than 40 legislative candidates — topping out with $33,500 to homeboy Delegate Israel O’Quinn.
I’m sure that’s that kind of independent, nonpartisan commissioner supporters of Amendment 1 had in mind. If Gilliam makes it through, this is a bigger farce than could have been imagined.”
Also note that Republicans’ finalists are overwhelmingly male, white and wealthy. Yes, this redistricting amendment is working out just greeeeeaaaat. Not.
