November 6 is Election Day. There are many races in the Commonwealth of Virginia that will affect motorcyclists in Virginia. The Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists is involved in numerous races throughout the state which have candidates who have either proven themselves friendly to, or hostile to, Virginia motorcyclists. Below is a list of those races, along with an explanation as to why VCOM is supporting or opposing the candidates in those races. I would encourage all motorcyclists to get involved in the races in your Districts and show the power of motorcyclists at the ballot box. I would also encourage all motorcyclists to do their own research on these candidates and come to their own conclusions. You can research the voting records of members of the General Assembly at http://leg1.state.va.us.

As always, if you have any questions or comments concerning anything written herein, please do not hesitate to contact me at matt@tommcgrathlaw.com or 1-800-321-8968.

First District (Poquoson, parts of York County, Hampton and Newport News)

John Miller (D) v. Tricia Stall (R)

Both appear to support motorcyclists. Stall, who defeated Senator Marty Williams (Chairman of the Transportation Committee who was hostile to motorcyclists) in the primary, has strong libertarian leanings and her campaign manager is a rider. VCOM takes no position in this race as the goal of removing Senator Williams from the Senate has been accomplished.

Sixth District (Accomack, Matthews, Northampton, parts of Norfolk and Virginia Beach)

Nick Rerras (R) v. Ralph Northam (D)

Nick Rerras was one of only four who supported a bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. This bill was introduced due to the number of deaths and serious injuries to motorcyclists. VCOM supports Senator Rerras.

Eighth District (parts of Virginia Beach)

Kenneth Stolle (R) v. Craig Hudgins (D)

Senator Stolle is the chairman of the Courts of Justice Committee and was instrumental in defeating the bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. He has opposed such bills two years in a row. VCOM opposes Senator Stolle in this race.

Eleventh District (Colonial Heights and parts of Chesterfield)

Steve Martin (R) v. Alex McMurtrie (D), Roger Habeck (I), Hank Cook (I)

Steve Martin is the incumbent and has always taken pro-motorcyclist positions and we believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Senator Martin in this race.

Thirteenth District (Surry, parts of Isle of Wight, Prince George, Southampton, Chesapeake, Franklin, Hopewell, Portsmouth & Suffolk)

Fred Quayle (R) v. Steve Heartick (D)

Senator Quayle voted against the bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. This bill was introduced due to the number of deaths and serious injuries to motorcyclists. VCOM opposes Senator Quayle in this race.

Fourteenth District (parts of Chesapeake & Virginia Beach)

Harry Blevins (R) v. Donald Tabor (D)

Senator Blevins was one of only four who supported a bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. VCOM supports Senator Blevins in this race.

Seventeenth District (Culpepper, Louisa, Madison, Orange, parts of Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg)

Ed Houck (D) v. Chris Yakabouski (R)

Ed Houck is the incumbent and has always taken pro-motorcyclist positions. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Senator Houck.

Nineteenth District (Franklin, Pittsylvania, Danville, part of Campbell County)

Robert Hurt (R) v. Sherman Witcher (I)

Robert Hurt is a member of the House of Delegates who is running for the Senate. He has always been a friend to motorcyclists and we believe that that he will carry that to the Senate. VCOM supports Robert Hurt.

Twentieth District (Craig, Giles, Roanoke City, parts of Montgomery County, Pulaski & Roanoke County)

Jeff Evans (R) v. Roscoe Reynolds (D)

Senator Reynolds has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the opportunity However, Jeff Evans, as we have learned from numerous sources, is not likely to be any friendlier than the incumbent. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the devil you don=t. VCOM takes no position in this race.

Twenty-Sixth District (Page County, Rappahannock, Shenandoah, Warren County, Harrisonburg, parts of Rockingham)

Mark Obenshain (R) v. Maxine Roles (D)

Senator Obenshain has always been a good friend to motorcyclists and carried the bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. VCOM supports Senator Obenshain in this race.

Twenty-Eighth District (King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond County, Stafford, Westmoreland, parts of Fauquier, Prince William and Fredericksburg)

Albert Pollard (D) v. Richard Stuart (R)

When Albert Pollard was in the House of Delegates, he consistently took positions against motorcyclists' rights. For this reason VCOM opposes Albert Pollard in this race.

Twenty-Ninth District (Manassas, Manassas Park, Parts of Prince William)

Charles Colgan (D) v. Robert FitzSimmonds (R)

Robert FitzSimmonds is running for the Senate for the first time. He has been a legislative aide to Delegate Scott Lingamfelter and Senator Ken Cuccinelli. He has been an ardent supporter of motorcyclists in those roles and would be a friend in the Senate. For this reason VCOM supports Robert FitzSimmonds in this race.

Thirty-Fourth (Fairfax County and Fairfax City)

Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis (R) v. Chap Peterson (D)

Chap Peterson was one of the best friends motorcyclists had in the House of Delegates. He is running against Jeannemarie Devolites-Davis who has rarely voted to support motorcyclists in both her tenures in the House of Delegates and the Senate. For this reason VCOM supports Chap Peterson in this race.

Thirty-Fifth District (parts of Fairfax and Alexandria)

Mario Palmiotto (I) v. Richard Saslaw (D)

Senator Saslaw voted against the bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. This bill was introduced due to the number of deaths and serious injuries to motorcyclists. VCOM opposes Senator Saslaw this race.

Thirty-Seventh District (part of Fairfax)

Ken Cuccinelli (R) v. Janet Oleszek (D)

Senator Cuccinelli was one of only four who supported a bill that would have increased the penalty for someone who kills another person in a right of way violation. VCOM supports Senator Cuccinelli in this race.

Thirty-Ninth District (part of Fairfax and Prince William)

George Barker (D) v. Jay O'Brien (R)

Senator O'Brien has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Senator O'Brien in this race.

First District (Lee County, parts of Wise and Washington County)

Terry Kilgore (R) v. Jerry Taylor (D)

Terry Kilgore has been a long time friend to motorcyclists in the General Assembly. VCOM supports Delegate Kilgore in this race.

Fifth District (Grayson County, Galax, parts of Carroll, Smyth & Wythe Counties)

Susie Garner (D) v. Charles "Bill" Carrico (R)

Delegate Carrico has been nothing short of a nemesis to motorcyclists during his tenure in the General Assembly. He has opposed almost every motorcyclist friendly piece of legislation to come through the House. He went so far as to oppose a bill allowing motorcyclists to put low voltage lights on their bikes to make them more visible. VCOM strongly opposes Charles Carrico.

Sixth District (Bland, parts of Giles, Pulaski, Tazewell & Wythe.)

Anne Crockett-Stark (R) v. Bill Thomas (D)

Delegate Crockett-Stark has continuously failed to support motorcyclist friendly legislation in the past. VCOM opposes Senator Crockett-Stark in this race.

Seventh District (City of Radford, parts of Montgomery and Pulaski Counties)

Peggy Frank (D) v. Dave Nutter (R)

Delegate Nutter is a very good friend to motorcyclists. He has supported motorcycle friendly legislation in the past and will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Nutter in this race.

Fourteenth District (City of Danville, parts of Henry and Pittsylvania Counties)

Danny Marshall, III (R) v. Adam Tomer (D)

Delegate Marshall has continuously failed to support motorcyclist friendly legislation in the past. VCOM opposes Delegate Marshall, III in this race.

Seventeenth District (parts of Roanoke City as well as parts of Botetourt and Roanoke Counties)

William, H. Fralin, Jr. (R) v. Alexander Ballin (I)

Delegate Fralin is the incumbent and has always taken pro-motorcyclist positions. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Fralin.

Nineteenth District (Franklin, Pittsylvania, Danville, part of Campbell County)

Lewis Medlin (D) v. Lacey Putney (I)

Lacey Putney is the incumbent and has always taken pro-motorcyclist positions. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Putney.

Twenty-One (part of Virginia Beach)

Bobby Mathieson (D) v. John Welch, III (R)

Delegate Welch is the incumbent and has always taken pro-motorcyclist positions. He has taken the lead on numerous motorcycle issues and was instrumental in winning the fight to mandate the marking of steel plates which were posing hazards to motorcyclists. VCOM supports Delegate Welch.

Twenty-Sixth District (Harrisonburg, part of Rockingham)

Carolyn Frank (D) v. Matt Lohr (R)

Delegate Lohr has continuously failed to support motorcyclist friendly legislation in the past. VCOM opposes Matt Lohr in this race.

Thirty-First (parts of Fauquier and Prince William Counties)

Bill Day (D) v. Scott Lingamfelter (R)

Delegate Lingamfelter is the incumbent and has always been a great friend to Virginia motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to be. VCOM supports Delegate Lingamfelter in this race.

Thirty-Third (Clarke County & part of Loudoun).

Marty Martinez (D) v. Joe May (R)

Joe May is the incumbent and has been friendly to pro-motorcyclist legislation. We believe he will continue to be a friend. VCOM supports Delegate May.

Thirty-Fifth (part of Fairfax County)

Arthur Purves (R) v. Stephen Shannon (D)

Delegate Shannon has continuously failed to support motorcycle friendly legislation in the past. VCOM opposes Delegate Shannon in this race.

Thirty-Ninth (part of Fairfax County)

Laura Clifton (I) v. Vivian Watts (D)

Delegate Watts has continuously failed to support motorcycle friendly legislation in the past. VCOM opposes Delegate Watts in this race.

Fortieth (part of Fairfax)

Timothy Hugo (R) v. Rex Simmons (D)

Delegate Hugo is the incumbent and has always been a great friend to Virginia motorcyclists. We believe he will continue be. VCOM supports Delegate Hugo in this race.

Forty-Fifth (parts of Alexandria, Arlington & Fairfax)

Mark Allen (R) v. David Englin (D)

Delegate Englin has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Delegate Englin in this race.

Forty-Ninth (parts of Alexandria, Arlington & Fairfax)

Adam Ebbin (D) v. James Fisher (I)

Delegate Ebbin has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Delegate Ebbin in this race.

Fiftieth (Manassas, Manassas Park, part of Prince William County)

Jackson Miller (R) v. Jeanette Rishell (D)

Delegate Miller is the incumbent and has voted favorably on issues important to motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Miller in this race.

Fifty-Second (part of Prince William County)

Chris Brown (D) v. Jeff Frederick (R)

Delegate Frederick is the incumbent and has voted favorably on issues important to motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Frederick in this race.

Fifty-Fourth (parts of Caroline and Spotsylvania Counties)

Kimbra Kincheloe (I) v. Robert ABobby@ Orrock (R)

Delegate Orrock has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Delegate Orrock in this race.

Fifty-Sixth (Goochland, Louisa, part of Henrico)

Bill Janis (R) v. Will Shaw (D)

Delegate Janis is the incumbent and has always been a great friend to Virginia motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to be. VCOM supports Delegate Janis.

Fifty-Ninth (Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Nelson, parts of Albemarle, Fluvanna and Prince Edward Counties)

Watkins Abbitt (R) v. Connie Brennan (D)

Delegate Abbitt is the incumbent and has always been a great friend to Virginia motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to be. VCOM supports Delegate Abbitt in this race.

Sixty-Seventh (parts of Fairfax and Loudoun)

Mark Cadin (R) v. Chuck Caputo (D)

Delegate Caputo has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Delegate Caputo in this race.

Sixty-Eighth (parts of Chesterfield and Richmond)

Delegate Katherine Waddell (I) William Grogan (D) v. Manoli Loupassi (R)

Delegate Waddell is the incumbent and has failed to vote favorably on issues important to motorcyclists. We believe that Manoli Loupassi will be a friend to motorcyclists. VCOM supports Manoli Loupassi in this race.

Sixty-Ninth (parts of Chesterfield and Richmond)

Franklin AFrank@ Hall (D) v. R.J. Gargiulo (R)

Delegate Hall Frederick is the incumbent and has voted favorably on issues important to motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Hall in this race.

Seventy-Eighth (parts of Chesapeake)

John Cosgrove (R) v. Mick Meyer (D)

Delegate Cosgrove is the incumbent and has voted favorably on issues important to motorcyclists. We believe he will continue to do so. VCOM supports Delegate Cosgrove in this race.

Eighty-Second (parts of Virginia Beach)

Harry Purkey (R) v. Bob Maclver (D)

Delegate Purkey has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Delegate Purkey in this race.

Eighty-Sixth (parts of Fairfax and Loudoun)

Jay Donahue (D) v. Thomas Rust (R)

Delegate Rust has failed to support motorcyclists when he has had the chance to do so. VCOM opposes Delegate Rust in this race.

Eighty-Seventh (part of Norfolk)

Hank Giffin (R) v. Paula Miller (D)

Delegate Miller has opposed helmet reform which has put her at odds with some in the motorcycling community; however, she has supported Virginia motorcyclists on other issues. Hank Giffin is the challenger in this race and has pledged support to Virginia motorcyclists. As VCOM has always judged candidates based upon their entire voting record towards motorcyclists, we will not oppose Delegate Miller. VCOM takes no position in this race.

Ninety-Fourth District (part of Newport News)

William Pelkey (D) v. Glenn Oder (R)

Delegate Oder has been nothing short of a nemesis to motorcyclists during his tenure in the General Assembly. He has opposed almost every motorcyclist friendly piece of legislation to come through the House. He went so far as to oppose a bill allowing motorcyclists to put low voltage lights on their bikes to make them more visible. VCOM opposes Delegate Oder in this race.