“Republicans in VA-5 oust their own Congressman in favor of a far-right bigot “

Republicans in VA-5 oust their own Congressman in favor of a far-right bigot 

RICHMOND, VA — After throwing a fit when their own Congressman officiated a same-sex wedding, Republicans in Virginia’s 5th Congressional district successfully ousted Rep. Denver Riggleman and replaced him with an even more extreme Republican at a chaotic nominating convention rife with confusion and allegations of corruption.

Bob Good, a former Liberty University athletics director who forgot to file his paperwork to appear on the ballot, will be the Republican nominee in the 5th Congressional district. Good ran to the right of Riggleman, attacking him as not sufficiently conservative on issues like immigration, health care, and marriage.

But Good is facing an uphill battle in a Republican-leaning district without the name recognition of a sitting Congressman, endorsements from national figures, or money. Not to mention his far-right views are way out of step with the majority of Americans. Recent FEC reports show Good has just $34,000 on hand, while several of his Democratic challengers have more than triple that.

“Virginia Republicans have completely lost touch with reality. Every year they nominate unpopular candidates with extreme positions, and every year they lose more and more races. They’re a party defined by incompetence and bigotry, and Bob Good has plenty of both,” said DPVA Communications Director Grant Fox.

Just how extreme is Bob Good? 

• When Good was elected to the Campbell County Board of Supervisors in 2015, he signed a resolution declaring the U.S. Supreme Court “lawless” for legalizing same-sex marriage and comparing the decision to the Dred Scott case.
• Good has said he opposes abortion in all cases, even in the case of sexual assault or when the mother’s health is at risk.
• Good wants to eliminate birthright citizenship, make English the national language, and require all immigrants to learn it – far right positions on immigration that would make it even harder for immigrants to make a life in America.
• A letter from supporters posted on Good’s website says “homosexuality is a very complex subject” that is “psychological moreso than genetic”