Possible Candidates for Senator Malone's seat?

[CatherineE]

The Wake County Democratic Party will work with those state executive committee members from NC Senate District 14 to determine a list of candidates for appointment. The News & Observer published a story about Rosa Gill being a possible contender but others who may be considered could include county commissioner Harold Webb and Democratic activist Doris Burke.

Rosa Gill a possible successor to Vernon Malone
April 23, 2009

BY T. KEUNG HUI, NEWS OBSERVER STAFF REPORTER
There's speculation about who will be tapped by the Wake County Democratic Party to replace the late state Senator Vernon Malone.
One name that's been mentioned is school board chairwoman Rosa Gill, who lives two blocks away from Malone in Southeast Raleigh. Gill has been a longtime Democratic Party figure, including serving a stint as chairwoman of the county party.

Gill said she hasn't asked anyone about filling the position. While she said she'd have to ask her husband about it, she's not indicating that she'd turn it down if the position was offered to her.

Gill said Malone's successor should be someone who is an "advocate for education and children."

Gill and Malone were friends for many years, having known each other since the 1960s when both were involved in the civil rights movement.

They ran against each other in 1984 for a vacancy on the board of commissioners. Malone, who had been on the school board at the time, won the election.

Gill said Malone may be the reason she's on the school board now. She said Malone had urged her to run for the school board in 1999.

Gill said her plan after winning re-election in 2007 was to serve one final term on the board.

If Gill is chosen by the Democratic Party and appointed by Gov. Perdue, the vacancy would be filled by the other school board members. The newcomer would serve out the rest of Gill's term, which expires November 2011.

[DarylB]

Rumor on the conservative side was that you and Chris Telesca would share the appointment in a "proportional representation" IRV test pilot program.....
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/RiverIsMyGoddess/icons/smiley_gofoom.gif

[CatherineE]

Rumor on the conservative side was that you and Chris Telesca would share the appointment in a "proportional representation" IRV test pilot program.....
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/RiverIsMyGoddess/icons/smiley_gofoom.gif

Hardee harrrr harr! :laughing6: Thankfully neither of us live in Dist. 14.

[DarylB]

Rumor on the conservative side was that you and Chris Telesca would share the appointment in a "proportional representation" IRV test pilot program.....
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/RiverIsMyGoddess/icons/smiley_gofoom.gif

Hardee harrrr harr! :laughing6: Thankfully neither of us live in Dist. 14.

One word... Gerrymander!


http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m252/RiverIsMyGoddess/icons/smiley_devious.gif

[MattD]

The Wake County Democratic Party will work with those state executive committee members from NC Senate District 14 to determine a list of candidates for appointment. The News & Observer published a story about Rosa Gill being a possible contender but others who may be considered could include county commissioner Harold Webb and Democratic activist Doris Burke.

Rosa Gill a possible successor to Vernon Malone
April 23, 2009

BY T. KEUNG HUI, NEWS OBSERVER STAFF REPORTER
There's speculation about who will be tapped by the Wake County Democratic Party to replace the late state Senator Vernon Malone.
One name that's been mentioned is school board chairwoman Rosa Gill, who lives two blocks away from Malone in Southeast Raleigh. Gill has been a longtime Democratic Party figure, including serving a stint as chairwoman of the county party.

Gill said she hasn't asked anyone about filling the position. While she said she'd have to ask her husband about it, she's not indicating that she'd turn it down if the position was offered to her.

Gill said Malone's successor should be someone who is an "advocate for education and children."

Gill and Malone were friends for many years, having known each other since the 1960s when both were involved in the civil rights movement.

They ran against each other in 1984 for a vacancy on the board of commissioners. Malone, who had been on the school board at the time, won the election.

Gill said Malone may be the reason she's on the school board now. She said Malone had urged her to run for the school board in 1999.

Gill said her plan after winning re-election in 2007 was to serve one final term on the board.

If Gill is chosen by the Democratic Party and appointed by Gov. Perdue, the vacancy would be filled by the other school board members. The newcomer would serve out the rest of Gill's term, which expires November 2011.

Catherine - great post. It will be interesting to see how this evolves. Other possibilities (this is just me talking... no inside info her): County Commish Harlod Webb (who was appointed to Malone's seat), County Commish Lindy Brown (who was under consideration for State Rep Coleman's seat), and Don Mial.

Again, just some names that immediately come to my mind.

[DarylB]

The Wake County Democratic Party will work with those state executive committee members from NC Senate District 14 to determine a list of candidates for appointment. The News & Observer published a story about Rosa Gill being a possible contender but others who may be considered could include county commissioner Harold Webb and Democratic activist Doris Burke.

Rosa Gill a possible successor to Vernon Malone
April 23, 2009

BY T. KEUNG HUI, NEWS OBSERVER STAFF REPORTER
There's speculation about who will be tapped by the Wake County Democratic Party to replace the late state Senator Vernon Malone.
One name that's been mentioned is school board chairwoman Rosa Gill, who lives two blocks away from Malone in Southeast Raleigh. Gill has been a longtime Democratic Party figure, including serving a stint as chairwoman of the county party.

Gill said she hasn't asked anyone about filling the position. While she said she'd have to ask her husband about it, she's not indicating that she'd turn it down if the position was offered to her.

Gill said Malone's successor should be someone who is an "advocate for education and children."

Gill and Malone were friends for many years, having known each other since the 1960s when both were involved in the civil rights movement.

They ran against each other in 1984 for a vacancy on the board of commissioners. Malone, who had been on the school board at the time, won the election.

Gill said Malone may be the reason she's on the school board now. She said Malone had urged her to run for the school board in 1999.

Gill said her plan after winning re-election in 2007 was to serve one final term on the board.

If Gill is chosen by the Democratic Party and appointed by Gov. Perdue, the vacancy would be filled by the other school board members. The newcomer would serve out the rest of Gill's term, which expires November 2011.

Catherine - great post. It will be interesting to see how this evolves. Other possibilities (this is just me talking... no inside info her): County Commish Harlod Webb (who was appointed to Malone's seat), County Commish Lindy Brown (who was under consideration for State Rep Coleman's seat), and Don Mial.

Again, just some names that immediately come to my mind.

What, no illegal aliens or serial killers under consideration? Whatever happened to diversity?

[MattD]

What, no illegal aliens or serial killers under consideration? Whatever happened to diversity?

I was thinking Perez Hilton... would that be good enough for ya ;-)

[ncary42long]

Other candidates I have heard through "reliable" sources include Dan Blue, Brad Thompson, and Bernard Allen II.

[ncary42long]

Of course, I was thinking. If Rosa Gill does in fact get elected, who would replace her on the School Board? It's not like we're finding people willing to jump into the fire pit and run as is.

[CatherineE]

Bernard Allen II would be the ideal replacement. Don Mial is assisting Bernard in his campaign for this appointment. Lindy Brown does not live in the district so she's not a contender. However, no word yet on Harold Webb, Doris Burke or Rosa Gill's interest.

Bernard Allen has worked hard for the party and while Dan Blue has a bright political future, it's time to focus on who has the best skill set and electability. Anyone wishing to learn more about Bernard should visit his website at www.Allenforthepeople.com .

Here's his press release:

Contact: Will Cubbison
919-414-4481
wccubbison@gmail.com

Bernard Allen II Announces Candidacy for State Senate

Raleigh – Today Bernard Allen II announced his candidacy for the unexpired term of the late Senator Vernon Malone. Allen, 44, is the son of the late Representative Bernard Allen.

“Senator Malone served the people of Wake County for over 35 years. I promise to uphold his ideals and to put the people of this district first.” Allen said, “We will never be able to replace Senator Malone, but we can honor him by moving forward and achieving his goals of a great education, a living wage and affordable health care for every citizen of our state.”

"These difficult economic times have shown us how close to the edge working families live. I believe that we can and must do more to ensure a high quality of life for every resident of our state," Allen said.

Bernard Allen II was born in Vance County and has been a resident of Southeast Raleigh for almost 40 years. He is a graduate of Enloe High School and St Augustine's College, and is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He also attended the Divinity School at Shaw University. He has been married to his wife Amy for 20 years; his son Bernard III is finishing his junior year at Southeast Raleigh High School.

Allen currently works as a Member Action Coordinator for the State Employees Association of North Carolina. He previously worked in the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for 6 years and in the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety for 6 years. He is a member of the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association and the Wake County Voter Coalition. He currently serves as the Raleigh Vice Chair of the Wake County Democratic Party and the President of the Math and Science Education Network Parent Group at Southeast Raleigh High School. He is a past President of the Bugg Elementary and Carnarge Middle School’s Parent Teacher Associations.

###

[MattD]

Bernard Allen has worked hard for the party and while Dan Blue has a bright political future, it's time to focus on who has the best skill set and electability.


Interestingly, when State Rep Barnard Allen died, many thought his son, Allen II would be selected to fill the vacancy. However, it was Dan Blue that was appointed to fill the seat. Fast forward 3 years, perhaps another contest between the two to fill a seat?

[ncary42long]

Representative Blue may decide that now is the time to move to the Senate, something he would not have been willing to do while Senator Malone was alive. Should that happen, Bernard Allen II would most likely be the top contender for his seat in the NC House.
Brad Thompson would be another strong candidate, having served on the Raleigh City Council and as Senator John Edwards' State Office Director. He also directed Barack Obama's Raleigh office organization, and may be able to use his Obama connections should he decide to run for the NC House (or Senate).

Each of these candidates are excellent choices and are well-qualified to assume Senator Malone's duties in the General Assembly. However, walking in his shadow may be the hardest challenge they'll face on May 6.

[johnshaw]

Marlowe Foster was handing out palm cards at the JJ Breakfast Saturday morning, asking for support for the Senate seat.

Rosa Gill was also mentioned there as a candidate.

[ncary42long]

I did hear Rosa Gill's name mentioned from several sources. I don't know how strong her chances are for getting elected if Bernard Allen II, Dan Blue and Brad Thompson also run. I don't know anything about Marlowe!

[CatherineE]

Rosa Gill is in the running and making her case to the powers that be on recommending her to the Wake County Democratic Party according to a story in yesterday's N&O: (http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/rosa-gill-to-seek-vernon-malones-seat)




Rosa Gill to seek Vernon Malone's seat
Submitted by KeungHui on 04/29/2009 - 09:00
You can count Wake County school board chairwoman Rosa Gill as one of the candidates who want to fill the District 14 seat of state Senator Vernon Malone.

Gill said she will be among the speakers who will make their case to replace Malone, who died April 18, at a forum Saturday sponsored by the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association, a civil-rights organization.

While the forum won't determine who will get the seat, the RWCA will make a recommendation to the Wake County Democratic Party after the meeting.

Malone's replacement will be named May 6 at a meeting run by the Wake County Democratic Party. The meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Wake County Commons Building, 4011 Carya Drive in Raleigh. Jack Nichols, chairman of the Wake Democratic Party, said each nominated candidate will have five minutes to speak at the meeting.

About 60 people are eligible to vote for Malone's replacement, including school board member Lori Millberg.

Millberg told Gill that one of the other candidates, whom she did not name, had the "bad taste" of lobbying her for the position even before Malone was buried on Thursday.

Click here for information on the selection process to replace Malone.

So far, Marlowe W. Foster, a lobbyist with Pfizer; and Bernard Allen Jr., the son of a former representative, have both announced they'll run.

Other rumored candidates include Alexander Killens, former director of the state's Division of Motor Vehicles; and state Rep. Dan Blue, a former House speaker.

Even if Gill isn't appointed to replace Malone, there's another possibility. She might be appointed to fill Blue's seat if he's named the new senator.

If you want to go to Saturday's forum, it will be held at 10 a.m. at the Seby Jones Fine Arts Building at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh.


Wow, are the school board elections this fall going to be very interesting if Gill is appointed to either fill Malone's seat or Blue's. Wonder who would assume Gill's position on the Board of Education? Anyone know anything?

[chaboard]

Wow, are the school board elections this fall going to be very interesting if Gill is appointed to either fill Malone's seat or Blue's. Wonder who would assume Gill's position on the Board of Education? Anyone know anything?

My understanding - picked up from blogs and thus hardly unimpeachable, ie I could easily be wrong - is that the remaining current Board members would appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term.

[CatherineE]

Wow, are the school board elections this fall going to be very interesting if Gill is appointed to either fill Malone's seat or Blue's. Wonder who would assume Gill's position on the Board of Education? Anyone know anything?

My understanding - picked up from blogs and thus hardly unimpeachable, ie I could easily be wrong - is that the remaining current Board members would appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term.

That makes sense. Amazing how one death can have such a domino effect in our teeny, tiny little political circles. Just guessing here but it could end up being Blue replaces Malone, Gill replaces Blue, ...so now who replaces Gill?

[johnshaw]

In today's (Sunday) News & Observer, a story about eight candidates who spoke at a panel discussion at St. Augustine's College.

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/1511281.html?commentSort=TimeStampAscending&pageNum=1

They are:

Bernard Allen Jr., 44, works in juvenile delinquency prevention for the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. He is the son of the late state Rep. Bernard Allen.

Dan Blue, 59, is a state representative and former House speaker. He is a managing law partner at Thigpen, Blue, Stephens and Fellers.

Carol Dalenko Bennett, 66, is a former educator who teaches riding lessons and mentors young people.

Marlowe Foster, 38, is a lobbyist for Pfizer, a pharmaceutical corporation.

Rosa Gill, 64, is the chairwoman of the Wake County Board of Education and a long-time member of the board.

J. Mills Holloway Jr., 47, is the owner of a media consulting group.

Alexander Killens, 54, is the former director of the state Division of Motor Vehicles and current president of Strategic Communications and Consulting.

Kim Luckes is the provost for academic affairs at St. Augustine's College and holds a law degree.

[CatherineE]

A decision will be made on Wednesday, May 6th, when the Wake County Democratic Party will meet to recommend a Replacement to fill the Late Sen Vernon Malone’s NC Senate Term. Members of the Wake County Executive Committee who reside in NC Senate District 14 will meet and vote to recommend to the Governor a replacement to fill the Late Sen Vernon Malone’s NC Senate Term. Only members of the Wake County Executive Committee who reside in NC Senate District 14 will have a vote. Meeting is open to the public. Registration will begin at 5:00. Location: Wake County Commons, 4011 Carya Drive, Raleigh

[ncary42long]

From an article in the News and Observer:

A straw poll recommended Rep. Dan Blue move to the Senate.

About 50 people at a forum sponsored by the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association Saturday cast an unofficial vote on who should fill former Sen. Vernon Malone's seat.

The candidates were Blue, Bernard Allen Jr., former educator Carol Dalenko Bennett, Pfizer lobbyist Marlowe Foster, Wake school board member Rosa Gill, media consultant J. Mills Holloway, former DMV director Alexander Killens and St. Augustine's College provost Kim Luckes.

RWCA president Dan Coleman said that Blue won the straw poll by a significant margin, followed by Holloway.

The group's political action committee will meet tonight to take a formal vote. The result will then be forwarded to the Wake County Democratic Party, which will make a final nomination for Gov. Beverly Perdue.

"The Wake County Democratic Party is not necessarily beholden to that endorsement," said Coleman.

Results of the straw poll after the jump.

—————

Voters were allowed to choose their top two candidates:

Allen: 7 first choices, 5 second

Bennett: 1 first choice, zero second

Blue: 39 first choices, 24 second

Foster: 6 first choices, 5 second

Gill: 7 first choices, 9 second

Holloway: 11 first choices, 27 second

Killens: 6 first choices, 10 second

Luckes: 5 first choices, 10 second

One write-in

SOURCE: Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association

[MattD]

Just guessing here.... Rep Dan Blue will be appointed to the Senate and Mr. Allen will be appointed to fill Blue's state Rep seat.

[johnshaw]

Just guessing here.... Rep Dan Blue will be appointed to the Senate and Mr. Allen will be appointed to fill Blue's state Rep seat.

I think that would be a good outcome.

Just to clear up some confusion - When the members of the County Executive Committee living in the senate district meet Wednesday night, the vote they take will be binding. The Governor will officially make the appointment, but under the law the she must appoint the person selected by the CEC vote.

[ncary42long]

That is the way I understand it. Gov. Easley appointed Dan Blue to Bernard Allen's seat, and Darren Jackson to fill Linda's Coleman's; in each case it was following an election by their respective CEC members.

I agree with you and Matt. I think we'll see Dan Blue as the new Senator, and Bernard Allen II as the new Representative. Of course, if that happens, there will have to be another election - to fill Bernard Allen's seat on the Wake County Democratic Party's Executive Board. He is presently the Raleigh Vice Chair.

[johnshaw]

Wow, are the school board elections this fall going to be very interesting if Gill is appointed to either fill Malone's seat or Blue's. Wonder who would assume Gill's position on the Board of Education? Anyone know anything?

My understanding - picked up from blogs and thus hardly unimpeachable, ie I could easily be wrong - is that the remaining current Board members would appoint someone to fill the remainder of her term.

That is correct.
From the NC General Statutes

§ 115C-37 (f) Vacancies in Office. – All vacancies in the membership of the boards of education whose members are elected pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section by death, resignation, or other causes shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board, of a person to serve until the next election of members of such board, at which time the remaining unexpired term of the office in which the vacancy occurs shall be filled by election.For members of the NC Senate and House:

§ 163‑11. Filling vacancies in the General Assembly.
(a) If a vacancy shall occur in the General Assembly by death, resignation, or otherwise than by expiration of term, the Governor shall immediately appoint for the unexpired part of the term the person recommended by the political party executive committee provided by this section. The Governor shall make the appointment within seven days of receiving the recommendation of the appropriate committee. If the Governor fails to make the appointment within the required period, he shall be presumed to have made the appointment and the legislative body to which the appointee was recommended is directed to seat the appointee as a member in good standing for the duration of the unexpired term.

(c) If the district consists solely of one county but includes less than all of the county, the Governor shall appoint the person recommended by the county executive committee of the political party with which the vacating member was affiliated when elected, it being the county executive committee of the county which the vacating member was resident, provided that in voting only those county executive committee members who reside in the district shall be eligible to vote.

[johnshaw]

The Democratic Executive Committee members in Senate District 14 chose Rep. Dan Blue to take the senate seat of the late Senator Vernon Malone.

Rosa Gill, Kim Luckes, and Carol Dalenko Bennett were nominated but withdrew, leaving Blue, Bernard Allen, and J. Mills Holloway running for the senate seat. Blue won on the first ballot.

Blue's election to the Senate will leave his House seat vacant. A meeting of the Executive Committee members living in House District 33 (Blue's district) will meet to fill that vacancy.

[Brent]

Blue's election to the Senate will leave his House seat vacant. A meeting of the Executive Committee members living in House District 33 (Blue's district) will meet to fill that vacancy.

Election?!?

And isn't the party's decision a recommendation?

[johnshaw]

Blue's election to the Senate will leave his House seat vacant. A meeting of the Executive Committee members living in House District 33 (Blue's district) will meet to fill that vacancy.

Election?!?
84 members of the committee met and voted. The result of the vote was that Blue will be a Senator. Perhaps "election" is not the right word, but a group of people voted on who will become senator.


And isn't the party's decision a recommendation?
See the statute (§ 163‑11) quoted above. The law refers to the decision as a "recommendation" but requires that "the Governor shall immediately appoint ... the person recommended ..." and that if the Governor does make the appointment within seven days the Senate "is directed to seat the appointee".

The group that selected the new senator was from the party of the person who was in the position. This time it was Democrats; other times the Republicans have had to fill a vacant seat.

[Brent]

Blue's election to the Senate will leave his House seat vacant. A meeting of the Executive Committee members living in House District 33 (Blue's district) will meet to fill that vacancy.

Election?!?
84 members of the committee met and voted. The result of the vote was that Blue will be a Senator. Perhaps "election" is not the right word, but a group of people voted on who will become senator.

OK, but I think "appointment" is more accurate.



And isn't the party's decision a recommendation?
See the statute (§ 163‑11) quoted above. The law refers to the decision as a "recommendation" but requires that "the Governor shall immediately appoint ... the person recommended ..." and that if the Governor does make the appointment within seven days the Senate "is directed to seat the appointee".

The group that selected the new senator was from the party of the person who was in the position. This time it was Democrats; other times the Republicans have had to fill a vacant seat.

That isn't how I had understood it from previous posts in this forum. Thanks for clarifying!

[MattD]

Blue's election to the Senate will leave his House seat vacant. A meeting of the Executive Committee members living in House District 33 (Blue's district) will meet to fill that vacancy.

Election?!?
84 members of the committee met and voted. The result of the vote was that Blue will be a Senator. Perhaps "election" is not the right word, but a group of people voted on who will become senator.

OK, but I think "appointment" is more accurate.

Brent - there was an ELECTION and the majority (without IRV!!) voted for Dan Blue to be the person recommend to the Gov. The Gov will the appointment that person to fill the seat.

[DarylB]

That is in fact the system currently in place. I don't like it, but it's the system. We ran into this same issue when the Cary Town council was tasked to find the replacement for Mike Joyce, and they settled on Erv Portman, but in that case it was left to the remaining council critters to seek and find their new associate. My main issue with "appointments" in general is that it fails to represent the people, who should always be given the chance to vote for those who will represent them. The current system of appointments gives away the power inherent in representation, in the current case to a political party, and in the Cary council instance to the incumbents as a group. MattD says it was an election, I too would call it a selection. Isn't that the chant we heard when the 2000 Presidential decision was referred to the Supreme Court for resolution, he "wasn't elected, he was selected".

Or maybe we've been "resynapsed"?

[MattD]

That is in fact the system currently in place. I don't like it, but it's the system. We ran into this same issue when the Cary Town council was tasked to find the replacement for Mike Joyce, and settled on Erv Portman, but in that case it was left to the remaining council critters to seek and find their new associate. My main issue with "appointments" in general is that it fails to represent the people, who should always be given the chance to vote for those who will represent them. The current system of appointments gives away the power inherent in representation, in the current case to a political party, and in the Cary council instance to the incumbents as a group.

DB - I agree with you. Also, it is this type of system that can lead to payback/payday (are ya listening former Gov Blag?).

At least with the current system there is a vote, albeit within the party. It is not the same as a vote to the general public, but it's better then the alternative of a single person seleting whom to appoint.

[DarylB]

That is in fact the system currently in place. I don't like it, but it's the system. We ran into this same issue when the Cary Town council was tasked to find the replacement for Mike Joyce, and settled on Erv Portman, but in that case it was left to the remaining council critters to seek and find their new associate. My main issue with "appointments" in general is that it fails to represent the people, who should always be given the chance to vote for those who will represent them. The current system of appointments gives away the power inherent in representation, in the current case to a political party, and in the Cary council instance to the incumbents as a group.

DB - I agree with you. Also, it is this type of system that can lead to payback/payday (are ya listening former Gov Blag?).

At least with the current system there is a vote, albeit within the party. It is not the same as a vote to the general public, but it's better then the alternative of a single person seleting whom to appoint.

Concur. As with all things political, this present system was likely the result of compromise. Compromise can be a good thing, as in when we work out our differences with a mutually agreeable solution, and it can be a bad thing, as in when we compromise our principles and our democratic values in the governmental process to arrive at a solution.

[johnshaw]

I used the word "election" rather than "appointment" because, under the language used in the General Statutes, the governor make the "appointment", although she has no choice of who to appoint.

It certainly would be more democratic to hold a special election every time an elected position was vacated. I assume that the reason that is not done is 1) cost, and 2) the time that would be required. The only case I know of when special elections are used is to fill vacancies in the US House, as required by the US constitution. (Some other states use special elections for other offices, I am told).

I understand that there is a reason for the way it is done. If the governor appointed a person to fill a seat, then the balance of power could change due to a person, of a different party than the governor, dying. We could have a situation where if the party split in one house or on a council or board was close, and a member of the majority was close to death, it could be an awkward situation. If the governor was simply required to fill the position by a member of the party of the deceased (or convicted), a person from the governor's party could simply change registration and then be appointed.

By having the members of the same party's exec. committee as the person vacating the position make the selection, they will select a real (not just recently switched) member of that party.

Someone reminded me that a should have provided link to the statute that I quoted in earlier posts. It is: www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_163/GS_163-11.pdf

[Brent]

Blue's election to the Senate will leave his House seat vacant. A meeting of the Executive Committee members living in House District 33 (Blue's district) will meet to fill that vacancy.

Election?!?
84 members of the committee met and voted. The result of the vote was that Blue will be a Senator. Perhaps "election" is not the right word, but a group of people voted on who will become senator.

OK, but I think "appointment" is more accurate.

Brent - there was an ELECTION and the majority (without IRV!!) voted for Dan Blue to be the person recommend to the Gov. The Gov will the appointment that person to fill the seat.

Semantically, I suppose so. But it's not a general election and not what is generally considered being "elected".

To say that Rep. Blue was "elected to the state senate" conveys a meaning that I don't think is an accurate representation of the common interpretation of that phrase. Rep. Blue will be appointed to the state senate.

And I'll postulate that Sen. Malone would have been pleased.

[Brent]

At least with the current system there is a vote, albeit within the party. It is not the same as a vote to the general public, but it's better then the alternative of a single person seleting whom to appoint.

Although perhaps not better than a special election by all eligible voters (although that can have drawbacks too).

[DarylB]

And I'll postulate that Sen. Malone would have been pleased.

That may be so, but I find it offensive that we should worry more about pleasing the elected (and making things easier for them) than the task we should always keep front and center, representing the general public.

[johnshaw]

At least with the current system there is a vote, albeit within the party. It is not the same as a vote to the general public, but it's better then the alternative of a single person seleting whom to appoint.

Although perhaps not better than a special election by all eligible voters (although that can have drawbacks too).

A special election by all eligible voters would be the most democratic way. However, as you point out, they can have drawbacks.

Of course, one is the cost of holding the election.

Another is the cost to run. Candidates running for a full two year term have to raise a large amount of money to campaign. For the special election that effort would be for less than a full term.

Another is the time that it would take to prepare for the election and to allow candidates time to raise money. If they are not given that time, only those who could pay out of their own money would have a chance.

In this case (Malone's Senate seat and now Blue's House seat) there is perhaps half of the "long session" and all of the "short session" left. Often, however, when a seat is vacated there is very little left of the term left. There have been cases where a seat was vacated and someone replaced that person after the final adjournment of the legislature. The person appointed to the seat actually did not serve a day of the General Assembly.

Would we want to go to the expense of holding an election after the last meeting of the General Assembly during that term?

At least with the present system there is not just one person (the Governor) decides who to appoint.