Controversial candidate Corey Stewart wins GOP nomination in Virginia Senate race
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Corey Stewart, the bombastic conservative who built his public image on championing Confederate symbols, won the Republican Senate nomination in Virginia.
Stewart, a member of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, defeated state House member Nick Freitas and minister E.W. Jackson in Tuesday's primary. Freitas conceded the race Tuesday night, according to local media.
He now faces Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, the party's 2016 vice presidential nominee and a heavy favorite for re-election, in November's midterm election.Stewart launched his Senate campaign after surprising -- and alarming -- national Republicans by winning 42.5% in last year's gubernatorial primary against former Republican National Committee chairman Ed Gillespie.
In 2016, Stewart spent several months as the Virginia chairman of Donald Trump's campaign, though the campaign fired him before the election for participating in a protest outside the Republican National Committee.
He made Charlottesville's push to remove its statue of Robert E. Lee the centerpiece of his campaign for governor, holding rallies for the monument and displaying Confederate flags while defending "heritage" at his events. At one point, he attended an Old South ball.He attended a news conference with the leader of the white supremacist protest that later resulted in the death of a counter-protester in Charlottesville. And after that counter-protester, Heather Heyer, was killed in a hit-and-run, Stewart blamed the violence on "both sides."
Conservative forces had aligned with Freitas in a bid to keep Stewart off the statewide ballot. The Koch brothers-backed group Americans for Prosperity, as well as Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Utah Sen. Mike Lee, invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the race in the closing weeks. However, Stewart was a much better known contender.
Republicans down the ballot now have to worry that that they've been saddled with one of the nation's most controversial nominees in November. Republican Reps. Barbara Comstock, Scott Taylor and Dave Brat all face competitive races for re-election.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Senate GOP's campaign arm, declined to comment Tuesday night on whether it would support Stewart now that he's won the party's nomination.
Kaine's campaign blasted Stewart in a statement minutes after news organizations declared Stewart the winner."A cruder imitation of Donald Trump who stokes white supremacy and brags about being 'ruthless and vicious,' Corey Stewart would be an embarrassment for Virginia in the US Senate," said Kaine communications director Ian Sams.
Tags
Who is online
62 visitors
A white supremacist has won the GOP nomination in Virginia for the senate, he now faces Senator Kaine (D), I think we can now really see what Trumps party stands for.
Another sheet wearing trumpster runs for political office.
Even the Trumpettes who don't wear sheets, dunce caps or Dixie Swastikas still seem to be white folks filled with racial resentment.
So much for the "family values" republican, there is no such animal.
White supremacists, pimps, adulterers and liars are the new republicans
Wrong:
John James for Senate
Husband, Father, Combat Vet, Businessman and otherwise not your typical DC swamp dweller ....... Republican or Democrat
A candidate who meets with racists? Like this guy?
He's just awful /s.
Yeah we finally have a few good candidates running against Debbie Stab-em-all here in Michigan.
John James stands out nicely and likely will be her opponent.
Time for Stabenow to go. I do believe this candidate may have a chance to beat her. Her behind has been planted in Washington too long with little accomplishments.
Stewart is not a controversial candidate. The GOP is now Trumplican. Damn the torpedoes, our souls are to be bartered.
Closing down for the night, I'll reopen in the morning.
Ok, open for business, please keep it civil.