Will State Senator Amanda Chase Run as an Independent?

State Senator Amanda Chase (I-R) from Chesterfield County representing the VA-11 Senate District today posted on her social media page that she would make an announcement today regarding her intentions regarding the 2021 Virginia Governors race.

Chase has teased for months that she would run as an independent having walked away from the GOP Senate Caucus last November after the selections were made for leadership within the caucus and after earlier in that month being removed from her local GOP committee the Chesterfield County Republican Committee (CCRC) for violating party rules.

Here is the release from State Senator Chase:

"TODAY is a BIG DAY!!

Will I run as a Republican or Independent?

This will be determined today.

While representing ALL people in the Senate as a Republican for the past 5 years; I am proudly a Christian, Conservative, Republican and in that order.

My voting record confirms that I have a solid conservative voting record:

100% rating VCDL, ALL 5 years

A rating, NRA

100% rating, Family Foundation, ALL 5 years

100% rating, National Federation of Independent Businesses, ALL 5 years

Highest score VA Legislator, VA Tea Party (see end of post for Fact Checks)

The Republican Party of Virginia decides today if we have a convention or statewide primary for the Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General 2021 candidates.

As many of you know I’ve said I will fully seek the Republican nomination for Governor in a primary only. If a political consultant controlled party convention is chosen I will run as an Independent. I made this announcement publicly back in February when I announced my run for Governor."

The prospects of a successful independent run are slim statewide in Virginia for any candidate but for Chase even more so. Chase appears to now have moved in the opposite direction that the majority of Virginians. Chase is prominent former Tea Part activist from early in the last decade and worked on campaigns before herself challenging an incumbent in the VA-11. Chase challenged Senator Steve Martin (R) in a primary and defeated him in 2015. Chase held great promise in 2016 as she entered the State Senate, but appears to have squandered her early successes. With the election of President Trump and the reactionary election of 2018 across Virginia that resulted in significant losses to the Virginia GOP, Chase moved further right in both rhetoric and position that got her elected. Chase presented herself as a "reformer" yet in five years in the Virginia Senate has done little to change state government rather spending more of her time wrangling with media and with the Virginia GOP. Chase has attempted to run what could only be described as a "Trump-light" effort using the same social media tactics to build a name for herself. Chase has portrayed herself as the "anti-Northam" candidate and has focused much of her campaign on campaigning against Northam whom will not be on the ballot next year and ignoring the declared candidates from the Democratic Party.

This strategy has placed her in direct opposition of 60% of Virginians who recently in polling support Northam and his handling of the pandemic and very well may be alienating voters. Just across the Potomac River, Governor Larry Hogan (R) who some believe will run for President in 2024 has unleashed a massive WEAR THE DAM MASK" campaign while Chase appears to continue her opposition to masks and mask mandates by Governor Northam. Most polling points to the overwhelming support for mask coverings during this stage of the pandemic and Chase's opposition appears unaligned with the direction most in Virginia are moving.

This is not unusual for Chase. Her entire campaign appears predicated on failed positions. Many political analysts see Chase has attempting to resurrect the Tea Party movement in Virginia however the last six years has proven that Virginians have rejected such positions overall and candidates. Chase speaks to her work with the Rep. David Brat campaign in his election to Congress where the Tea Party was effective in removing Rep. Eric Cantor via primary. This could be the reason as to why Chase seeks a primary over convention.

Another aspect that many insiders believe is that Chase while running for Governor fully understands that it is a very uphill road and has intentions on running for Congress in 2022 now that Del. Nick Freitas has lost his bid to unseat Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) in Virginia 7th. Chase has called Freitas a friend and was one of the few endorsements Chase made in 2020. Chase actively was involved on the campaign trail for her own race while attending many events in the VA-07 alongside Freitas.

It is important to note that Chase could not help Freitas secure victory last month in her own county of Chesterfield where Freitas lost by 11 points. Chase has not acknowledged the fact that Chesterfield County has changed and is no longer a "solid red" county in the GOP stable. Chesterfield for the first time in the post WWII supported a Democrat for President in former VP Joe Biden and in the Congressional race supported Spanberger for a second time in four years.

Chase in truth has her own issues at home regardless of the status of the nominating process. Chase won her district in 2015 by 27 poonts yet only managed a win in 2019 by 9 points. That is a significant decline in support and even more alarming when you consider in 2016 Chase's district was one of the most overwhelmingly supportive of President Trump.

The biggest concern right now for any campaign is money not nomination method. Chase has been in the race the longest of any candidate of either party and has raised the least amount of any declared candidate as of Sept. 1. Chase has only raised 200,000 where freshman Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy (D) has already raised over 750,000 and joined the race some four months after Chase. Now that a second candidate in Del. Kirk Cox (R) has officially declared, Chase appears to have lost an immense opportunity the last ten months when she had all the oxygen.

What can only be described as "classic Chase", Chase is demanding that the Virginia GOP do what she wants in terms of the nominating process issuing a threat of sorts however such efforts backfired on Chase in November 2019 ultimately resulting with her departure from the GOP Caucus. Chase preference for the primary process is interesting given her lack of money. Typically conventions regardless of the Chase claims on her page costs candidates less money that statewide primaries. The audience of a convention of course is much more defined and smaller. The issue that Chase faces with these convention goers is they have been to the circus and seen the strings more times than not. Many are actively engaged in politics far more than average general election voters. Chase herself was a delegate to the convention held in August that nominated Del. Nick Freitas over first time candidate Tina Ramirez. Many have asserted that these convention goers know Chase far too well and would not support her initially on a first ballot and where depending upon how many declare to run could see Chase out of the nomination race after the first balloting.

If Chase does declare today to run as an "independent" than Virginians can fully expect to see her running for Congress in 2022 after losing a third party bid for Governor in 2021. Chase does have other issues to sort out at home as well as many rumbles have begun in Chesterfield to unseat Chase as State Senator in 2023. Much will be determined by the redistricting planning that may go into effect before the next Virginia Senate race in 2023 with new lines being drawn but one thing is certain; Chase will be primaried as she primaried Senator Steve Martin in 2015.

**** Fact Check on the Amanda Chase Facebook post today*****

Chase stated the following:

"100% rating, National Federation of Independent Businesses, ALL 5 years "

Fact Check:

Chase received rating of 83% 2016-17 her first two sessions in the Virginia Senate not 5 years at 100%

Chase claims "Highest score VA Legislator, VA Tea Party":

Ratings- Virginia Tea Party Federation 94% (2019) Fiscal Conservative Issues

84% (2019) Conservative Issues

100% (2012-19) Civil Libertarian Issues

Other examples of Legislators with Same ratings as Chase or better:

Del. Kirk Cox (R) 100% VCDL rating 2020

100% Family Foundation 2020

100% Virginia Chamber of Commerce 2019

100% Nat. Federation of Independent Business 2017-19

Sen. Jill Vogel (R) 100% National Rifle Association

100% Virginia Tea Party Federation (2017- H/I)

Del. Nick Freitas (R) 100% VCDL rating

Important to note Ratings: CHASE

American Conservative Union 89% (2018)

Virginia Chamber of Commerce 73% (2019)

VA-07 Election Anaysis: The More Things Change the More They Stay The Same

As the data and the metrics continue to come pouring in and the result in the Virginia Seventh Congressional District (VA-07) no longer appears in doubt, the Republican Party of Virginia should wast little time in diving into the data points that determined the election last week in favor of Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) for a second time in two years.

There should be some level of concern on the part of Republicans that should not be dismissed by the establishment interest or the political consultant class. Many Republican campaigns have used the same consultants over the course of the last decade that appear to have not read the electorate at large or the metrics on the ground especially well in suburban Virginia. There appears a widening disconnect between the GOP candidates and suburban voters, especially suburban women, minorities and "foreign born" voters.

The fact remains that the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) has steadily lost the suburban vote over the last seven years. Consultants would like to lay much of this at the feet of President Trump however this is an easy out for them that often is not substantiated by the many of the metrics.

For example, in 2020 President Trump outperformed many of the Republican candidates for Congress. One rising star for the RPV is Aliscia Andrews (R) who ran in the VA-10 and managed to generated higher percentages than Trump in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William Counties in her district. In her precincts in Prince William County, Andrews outperformed Trump by 13 points and in Fairfax County by 10 points followed by Loudoun County and Clarke County by 3 points.

Conversely, President Trump outperformed candidates like Bob Good (R) in VA-05 and Del. Nick Freitas in VA-07 in about half as many of the counties in the districts and not simply rural localities. In an election cycle where the media all but declared suburbia for the Democrats as a repudiation of Trump, not all of suburbia reflected that narrative.

Trump managed to raise his percentage in Henrico County from 36.60% in 2016 to 38.73% however Del. Nick Freitas came in under both Trump's 2020 performance as well as Rep. David Brat's 40.12% in 2018 for the seat in VA-07. Del. Freitas would lose Henrico 60.64% to 39.18 where Rep. Spanberger increased her voting percentage by 2 points from 2018. 

Spanberger also managed to raise her voting percentage in Chesterfield County just under a percent as the difference in the result resulted in the same 10 point margin in the Democrats favor. Spanberger outperformed Biden almost a point in Chesterfield and over a point in Henrico. Spanberger raised her vote count in Chesterfield County from 60,897 in 2018 to 80,161 in 2020 and in Henrico from 63,892 in 2018 to 80,421 in 2020. These two localities represent the lions share of votes cast in the VA-07.

Online surveys indicate that the one of the issues that put Delegate Nick Freitas on the defensive with suburban voters was the manner in which Spanberger used "preexisting conditions" and an "autism vote" to characterize Freitas. Spanberger raised over 4 million dollars and used these resources against Freitas in repeated ad campaigns and online media using the healthcare issues has a focal point.

Following the election in a caucus call, Rep. Spanberger stated that the Democrats "need to not ever use the term socialist or socialism ever again" and that the messaging regarding "defunding the police" nearly cost Spanberger the race in 2020. The comments illustrate the differences between Spanberger and the progressives in the Democrat Party and actually puts her at odds with many Virginia Democrats in Richmond. There is some suspicion that the Spanberger team leaked the audio from the caucus call given the team recognizes that 2022 may be in jeopardy for her if a Biden administration is directed by the progressives in Washington.

On the Republican side, many are already seeking Delegate Freitas to run again in 2022 given the tightness of the race but in evaluating the trends and metrics this may not actually be the best course of action for RPV given Freitas has now lost a U.S. Senate statewide primary and a Congressional race  within last two years.  Scott Taylor (R) sought to take back his seat lost in 2018 forgoing a U.S. Senate run and failed to win the VA-02 last week. 

In examining the House races that the GOP won in 2020, it is Republican women that seem to outperform expectations.  Two examples were winners Nicole Malliotakis (R) in NY-11 and Maria Salazar in FL-27.Given the makeup of the Virginia suburbs and the rising trends of women and minority owned businesses in suburban Richmond, the RPV needs to evaluate these metrics to ensure that any candidate has appeal to this metric.

The fact remains that any Republican nominated in the VA-07 in 2022 would likely win most of the rural districts. These voters must turnout in 2022 of course but the GOP must have a candidate that can appeal to at least 46% of the suburban electorate or the RPV to flip VA-07. How the RPV responds to a typical decline in turnout after a Presidential election will certainly be something to keep and eye on with its new Chairman in Rich Anderson.

The reason for this is that the Democrats increased its turnout but not its voting percentages compared to the Republicans. Only in Goochland and Powhatan did Spanberger raise her "rural" percentage  and it was by less than a percent. While this should concern the Democrats if the GOP can turnout voters in 2022 should Biden finally get certified as the winner, the Democrats will continue to focus on the suburban vote that has delivered Spanberger two elections in a row now. In back to back cycles, Spanberger has only won two counties out of ten in the district.

Concerning for the RPV is the following areas in "rural" Virginia that Del. Nick Freitas under performed Trump: (Trump/Freitas)

Amelia County  68.29%  (67.38)

Louisa County 60.66%  (60.07)

Nottoway County 56.89%  (55.10)

Powhatan County 71.24% (70.62)

Orange County 59.91%  (59.73%)

There is a question in terms of Democratic turnout if the election was a referendum on Trump in truth or support for Biden. Places like Louisa County which appears to be moving move with VA-05 counties in terms of trends saw an increase of about 2,500 Democratic voters over 2018  and Spanberger in 2020 outperformed Clinton by 4 points. Spanberger outperformed Clinton (34.83%) with 40.81% in 2020 adding 2,000 voters from 2016 in support for her campaign. Orange County experienced almost an identical result where Clinton earned 34.50% and Spanberger earned 40.08% in 2020. Spanberger took advantage of almost two thousand more Democratic voters over 2016 turnout for Clinton.

A positive for Delegate Freitas was he raised voting percentages in all but two counties; Henrico and Goochland.  It is important to also consider that Freitas (39.18%) under performed in terms of appeal to left leaning districts in terms of margin as State Senator Siobhan Dunnavant (R) 2019 race performance where Dunnavant's 49.14% in Henrico helped her secure victory in a very tight election against Delegate Debra Rodman (D) 50.76% to 49.06%. Freitas did perform very well in established Republican precincts in Henrico but these could not propel him to a county victory where Spanberger won 60.64%.

The question than becomes will the RPV recognize the appeal and the criticisms such leaders as State Amanda Chase seeking the GOP nomination for Governor have launched against Dunnavant's positions though it appears they appeal to more Henrico voters than President Trump, Del.Freitas and Rep. Brat. Supporters of the GOP should also recognize the appeal that rising start Tina Ramirez may have in suburban Richmond in 2022 than Delegate Freitas or Rep. Brat have delivered. One could also argue that Senator Dunnavant (R) has more appeal to suburban voters as well historically and given the rise of Republican women and success at the polls this cannot be understated.

Suburban Turnout VA-07: 2016/2020----will leave you scratching your head

Chesterfield County:  85,045 (Trump) 65,019 (Trump) -

                                   81,074 (Clinton) 79,783 (Biden) -

Henrico County :       59,857 (Trump)  52,184 (Trump) -

                                   93,935 (Clinton) 80,032 (Biden) -

Trump lost voter support in the following counties from 2016 to 2020:

Chesterfield County 48.22% to 44.07%

Goochland County 59.73% to 58.80%

Spotsylvania County 55.25% to 54.84%

Orange County : 60.93% to 59.91%

Culpeper County: 60.08 to 59.05%

Freitas lost voter support in the following counties from 2018 (Brat) to 2020:

Henrico County 40.12% to 39.18%

Goochland County 59.58%- 58.94%

Spanberger (D) raised voter support in the following counties from 2018 to 2020:

Chesterfield County: 54.09% to 55.03%

Henrico County : 58.67% to 60.64%

Powhatan County: 28.89% to 29.30%

Goochland County: 39.52% to 40.81%

Orange County: 40.07% to 40.08%

Spanberger (D) lost voter support in the following counties from 2018 to 2020:

Amelia County: 32.87% to 32.49%

Louisa County: 40.47% to 39.73%

Spotsylvania County: 44.17% to 43.88%

Culpeper County: 40.68% to 39.98%

Nottoway County- 45.05% to 44.72%

All statistical information and voting metrics in this article come from two primary sources that Virginians can review.

1. https://results.elections.virginia.gov/vaelections/2020%20November%20General/Site/President_and_Vice_President_(CD_-_07).html

2. vpap.org/visuals/visual/presidential/

Guest Commentator

Jonathan Scott

State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase (I): "We Are In an All-Out War"

 

On Saturday August 15, 2020 State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase the Republican Senator turned Independent according to the latest update of the Virginia Senate on Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Virginia ) continued her campaign tour of western Virginia  where Chase participated in the "Back the Blue" event in Salem.

The event was sponsored locally by Veterans Event Management Inc. and drew a hundred or so Virginians in the rain to march in support of law enforcement. The event did not come without some protest however from a small group of people demanding police reforms. The Progressive Anti-Racist Action marched at times alongside the "Back the Blue" marchers through parts of downtown Salem.

Many critics of Senator Chase have attacked her for her disingenuous nature when it comes to law enforcement, especially in her home county of Chesterfield in suburban Richmond, Virginia. Chase has had repeated run-ins politically with Chesterfield County Police and the Chesterfield County Sheriff as well as even Capital Police in Richmond.

Senator Chase was removed from her local political committee the Chesterfield County Republican Committee after she refused to follow the Republican Party Plan and support a Republican nominee which comes with it a four year ban from committee activities. Chase's refusal to support Karl Leonard who ultimately won election as Sheriff of Chesterfield County resulted in serious controversy for the Senator given such months before the Senator was involved in misrepresenting an encounter with Capitol Police at the State Capitol over Chase taking liberty with a parking spot that was unauthorized for her use. Chase asserted one story regarding the incident that was never substantiated and was found to have berated a police officer she claimed she had not once a video surfaced. This came after Chase was reported to have used Capital Police for unauthorized chaffuering whereby she was using state property for her own personal benefit.

https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/updated-with-video-police-sen-amanda-chase-berated-officer-who-wouldnt-let-her-park-in/article_56f46cdc-44a0-5379-bda1-e5879e3f34fe.html

The Republican leadership embarrassed by the actions of State Senator Chase issues a statement of support for the Capitol Police.

https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/gop-leaders-send-support-to-capitol-police-following-report-of-sen-chases-altercation/article_e3913e83-e8b0-56df-aabc-346c9b14827c.html

Furthermore, Senator Chase just last month stepped into a similar issue with Chesterfield County Police when she claimed to have been informed by its Chief that ANTIFA that was participating in protests in Richmond for weeks were planning to cross the James River into Chesterfield and riot and loot residences.

“I actually spoke with Chesterfield Police Chief [Jeffrey] Katz, and just wanted to make aware to you all what is actually coming to Richmond,” said Chase. “First of all, it is conclusive that Antifa has been in the Richmond area. They are now going into, this evening, the greater Richmond area neighborhoods. I know that Chesterfield County where I live is one of those targets.”

https://www.chesterfieldobserver.com/articles/police-chief-says-he-wasnt-source-of-sen-chases-antifa-warning/

Chase just last month failed to appear at her own county event to support law enforcement called "Go Blue Day" on July 25 and Chase failed to make any mention of the event on her official page offering any support.

The Senator has been very vocal with her opposition to the protesting efforts in the Richmond the last few months that have resulted in the removal of statues and monuments along historic Monument Avenue. Chase claimed "there is an all out attack on folks that are white" relating to the protesting. Chase would later claim that "they" were "going after white history" on a radio show with John Fredericks.

Then on Saturday in Salem at the American Legion State Senator Chase openly states to those in attendance that "We are in an all-out war" today. Was Chase referring to "Republicans" or "white people"? So much of the rhetoric lately from Chase has come along the same racial lines as previous statewide candidate Corey Stewart that the campaign appears to almost mirror Stewart's failed Senate bid in 2018.

None of this appears to have been too convincing for most Republicans in Virginia. The thought of Chase threatening to run as an independent if there is not a primary has not sat well with many in the party. The likelihood is that the Republican Party of Virginia will declare a convention method to select the candidates in 2021 to represent the party and Chase appears to be positioning herself for the opportunity to claim it was done to keep her from winning. Its a rather interesting political strategy however everything Chase has done in recent weeks suggests she is preparing for a convention as she is courting local committees that typically end up as delegates at the statewide convention. Chase supported and participated as a delegate in the nominating convention for the Virginia Seventh Congressional District and made her participation very visible on site and on social media.  In fact, some have even claimed that Chase attempted to steal the limelight as she worked the delegates not only on behalf of Delegate Nick Freitas but also herself.

Freitas would win the nomination on the third ballot and Chase was heard claiming to deliver Chesterfield County to Freitas in the election this Fall as Freitas squares off against Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger. While it might seem rather insignificant of a claim given the historical dominance of the GOP in Chesterfield, the county has moved closer towards the center than at any time in the last thirty years. Spanberger won Chesterfield County just two years ago by 10 points over Rep. David Brat (R) whom Senator Chase has long ties with and supported.

The Chase campaign still appears to be a campaign that is trying to find its messaging. The current messaging is not resonating with voters in Virginia if you consider Senator Chase trails in fundraising and has not even come close to raising even half what prior candidates have in the first quarters of statewide bids while potential challengers have raised close to one million or more. This is a huge concern as the Republican Party now appears poised ready to launch other candidates into the nomination process.

Well respected former State Senator Bill Carrico and Delegate Kirk Cox are expected to enter the race come October/November and some consider Rep. Denver Riggleman a potential to enter after losing his primary seeking re-election in the Virginia Fifth Congressional. Another one many are keeping an eye on is Virginia businessman Pete Synder.

Political Survival in 2021: Redistricting at the Gates

 

During the 2020 General Assembly session in March, the Democratic majority passed the legislation addressing the means of which statewide redistricting will be determined. Redistricting has traditionally been a product of the State Legislature every ten years following the Census Report that evaluates the distribution  and changes of population. Not only is this significant to the legislature but also the level of representation a state will send as a delegation to the House of Representatives in Congress.

Virginia currently has an 11 member Congressional Delegation. There is not data thus far to support that following the 2020 Census that that number will change. Virginia currently has 8.5 million residents  The 2010 Census reported a population of 8,001,024 Virginians. Other states like New York , California, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania for example are predicted to actually lose at least one seat in Congress due to population changes while Texas and Florida are poised to gain one. This is important politically for both parties.

In Virginia however, the immediate impact will be redistricting existing districts both relating to the Legislature and Congress.

The power to "gerrymander" is an old game and one played by both parties historically. Gerrymandering refers to the manner in which the majority draws new lines of districts to benefit them politically. If you examine some of these districts they are hardly uniform. They are drawn less on basis of the population of a geographic area and more by using the historical voting metrics of local precincts. The majority always claims such redraws are done to address disenfranchisement however that appears less the case when you examine the history of them. It is more a matter of political metrics given various pockets of areas. This is easily illustrated in the manner in which all these districts appear simply by examining them in map form.

The Democratic majority largely flip flopped from 2018 to 2020 on the issue of removing the legislative redistricting and placing it in the hands of an independent (more or less) commission. Democrats supported a commission while in the minority yet after the 2019 election cycle that saw Democrats take control of both chambers of government in the legislature changed their position. During the 2020 legislative session only nine Democrats supported the amendment joining 45 Republicans in the House of Delegates. After championing the commission in previous years, the Virginia Black Caucus appeared to do a complete about face on the issue claiming that a commission would suppress black political power. 

The previous year during the 2019 General Assembly Session that exact same bill passed 83-15 in the House of Delegates with support of majority of the Black Caucus. So what changed? What changed was a power shift in government and the securing of the "trifecta" of controlling both chambers in the Capitol and the Executive led by Governor Ralph Northam (D).

For Virginians what is clearly on display here is a lesson in Politics 101.  Democrats once securing power no longer wanted Virginians themselves to play a role in determining how redistricting would take place and under whose direction. They did so only when they were out of power.

The amendment to the Virginia State Constitution calls for a sixteen member bipartisan commission of which eight would still remain state legislators comprising members of both chambers as well as eight citizens. If the commission ever were to be unable to decide on an plan than ultimately the Virginia Supreme Court would decide the outcome. This is something opponents to the measure like Del. Mark Levine (D) highlighted last year in his opposition given the court in his view is overwhelming stacked with conservative appointed judges.

Virginia Democrats for years have crafted messaging that the courts are not to be trusted. One could argue that Democrats have attacked every major institution in Virginia in truth. The recent protesting and riots seem to illustrate this point. If the judicial system can not be trusted to remain objective in this process than who would the Democrats suggest have that power? Well, their legislative majority of course.

Will voters support the amendment referendum in November? Many suspect that Virginia will support this measure. There have been many groups and organizations like One Virginia 2021 that have been strong advocates for the measure.

Redistricting itself will happen one way or another. The Republicans face the fact that many of its stronger districts especially in the Senate very well may get redrawn, especially many of those that have been staunch supporters of President Trump. 

One such Senate district is the Virginia 11th. Long a solid "red" district in Chesterfield County, Virginia and represented by potential gubernatorial candidate State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase has experienced a massive shift that has largely gone unreported by the media. Not unlike other districts in Chesterfield where the strength of the GOP brand is declining.

If the change in voting metrics is examined over the course of the last decade or so the shift is massive. The Virginia Senate hold elections every four years. Here are the winning percentage in the Virginia 11th since 2003.

2003- 97.27 (Steve Martin)

2007- 62.41 (Steve Martin)

2011- 94.7% (Steve Martin)

2015- 63.74% (Amanda Chase) -Chase defeated Martin in primary than won General

2019- 54.51% (Amanda Chase)

The most alarming metric in the voting data is that Senator Chase won in 2015 with a 27 point margin in 2015 and four years later saw that margin decline 18 points to +9 winning with 54.51%.

Many have speculated that this data is one of the major factors that Senator Chase has declared her candidacy to run for Governor in 2021. There were rumors Chase would seek the GOP nomination in the Virginia Congressional District but declined to run given that the district determined to hold a "convention method" over a primary. Chase has stated she knows the district (VA7) better than anyone given her participation on the Rep. David Brat (R) campaign who defeated Rep.Eric Cantor (R) in a primary and ultimately went to Congress. Brat would lose his re-election bid in 2018. 

The changing demographics of the Virginia 11th, especially in the Chesterfield portion of the district are moving away from the the base that Chase has held. While the county is still lead by a Republican Board of Supervisors, the board and the local Republican committee do not appear to support Senator Chase any longer. This poses a real challenge for Chase in 2023. The metrics are going the opposite direction just as the GOP has witnessed in the Virginia 10th adjacent to the Virginia 11th that the GOP lost in 2019.

Chase is one politician to watch over the course of the coming year. Chase has stated she would run as an independent if she did not secure the GOP nomination but the real thing to watch for is Chase has always had any eye on Congress. If Delegate Nick Freitas (R) nominated last month to represent the GOP on the ballot this November in the Virginia 7th Congressional District does not defeat Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) do not be shocked if Chase transitions to a 2022 Congressional bid unless of course Chase herself become victim to any  redistricting that may occur.

The Virginia 5th & 6th Congressional: The Real Danger From Within

                                          https://www.facebook.com/TurnVARedAgain/

Voter intimidation. Corruption. Undermining. Unacceptable developments in the Virginia GOP in two of Virginia's western Congressional Districts.

For the past few weeks, The Conservative State have been examining what appears to be a concerted effort on the part of a minority contingent within the Republican Party of Virginia to force its far right agenda upon the Party at large. Many of the efforts thus far have centered around amending the Republican Party Plan but others have attempted to use voter intimidation and threats of lgal proceedings as the means to their end. While none of this is really new to party politics, the new developing threat behind the attempt to undermine the Republican Party of Virginia by religious extremism is real and should not be ignored.

There are efforts in two of the western Congressional Districts of Virginia that have surfaced in the last few weeks  but also an eastern district that should alarm all Republican voters. Individual members of Young Republicans of Tidewater in the Virginia 3rd (VA-03) have attempted to undermine a GOP candidate with its injection into the primary process which appears highly inappropriate for any Republican affiliated auxillary. No one affiliated with a committee or auxillary is supposed to work against another Republican during any nomination process but that is clearly what has occurred in the VA-03. The Madison Downs for Congress  (R) campaign deserves a formal apology and soon.

Join Chasing Victory in Virginia 2020-21 here https://www.facebook.com/groups/2606638476319301/

In the VA-05  and VA-06, religious authoritarianism is on the rise as the minority element of social conservative movement continues its efforts to undermine the local committees within the district as well as the Congressional District Committees at large. Elements of this movement seek to continue divide the GOP and fight over what can only be described as "settled issues" by interviewing over a dozen potential hopefuls to primary Congressman Denver Riggleman (R) before settling on Bob Good over questions regarding Riggleman's commitment to social values.

Why would this movement within the Republican Party of Virginia itself attempt to remove a sitting Republican Congreessman for example who has been endorsed by both President Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr. of Liberty University? Is it due to Denver Riggleman's record in Congress which has been praised by conservative groups and Trump alike? Of course not. Its due to the fact that Riggleman (R) happened to marry a gay couple recently in the district. A couple that Riggleman reportedly had known from working on his campaign in 2018. Thats right. Riggleman had the audacity to perform a marriage ceremony that is legally authorized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. What does this opposition to Riggleman based on this single event tell you about the values that these so called "conservatives" hold? These are not Republican values but rather a mixed bag of Puritanical or Pentacostal values that these individuals hold that frankly are not aligned with the future of the Republican Party of Virginia.

This new so-called "middle resolution" movement is raising its ugly head and showing it true colors. It seeks to transform the Repulican Party of Virginia into nothing more than a country club and not a meaningful, winning political organization. A club where minorities, immigrants, Jews and Muslims, and gays for example are not welcome. This is their goal coupled with attempting to minimize the voices of women and younger Republicans via the State Central Committee by reducing the numbers of permitted members for participation. They seek to accomplish this by amending the Republican Party Plan.

Diana Shores, following the wedding officiated by Riggleman, on the Cumberland County Republican Committee and widely known in Republican circles going as far back as the Tea Party stated:

“Mr. Riggleman, who claims to want government out of marriage, acted as an elected official to perform a marriage,” according to NBC News and “Then, he made it clear in the communications that followed to the leadership of the district that he didn’t care what we thought about the actions. Each district committee can decide if they have further confidence in Congressman Riggleman representing their values. As for me, he doesn’t represent mine.” 

Congressman Riggleman responded to criticism regarding officiating the wedding stating his "real belief is that government shouldn’t be involved in marriage at all, but if it is, everybody has to be treated equally before the law....That is part of our Republican creed. And it also comes down to love is love. I’m happy to join two people together who obviously love each other.”

The values asserted by Diana Shores and others are based in "exclusivity" where certain peoples races, sex orientations or national origins are not welcome in the party. This is the "party" that these religious authoritarians wish to transform the Republican Party of Virginia into in the coming years for their own gain. There appears little goals of winning elections mind you, but rather using the committees for their own personal gain.

Bob Good, formerly of  Liberty University has challenged Denver Riggleman (R) in the primary and it appears that the sole basis of this challenge was the fact that in Good's view Riggleman "betrayed the trust of the conservative base".  So being asked to perform the marriage ceremony of campaign staffers who are Republicans is a betrayal of the conservative base?

President Trump has had nothing but positive remarks regarding Riggleman and in fact placed him as a Co-Chair for his re-election campaign in Virginia as well as on the Covid-19 China Task Force. Trump stated:

“Congressman Riggleman is a true CONSERVATIVE leader who has done a great job for Virginia and will support our #MAGA Agenda. He defends our right to bear arms, protect our Borders & help small businesses. Denver has my Total Endorsement!” 

Jerry Falwell Jr., President of Liberty University and Bob Good's former boss stated this regarding Riggleman:

“I am proud to offer my endorsement of Congressman Denver Riggleman for re-election in the 5th District of Virginia.... Denver has been a champion for our conservative values in Congress and I respect his commitment to liberty-minded ideals.” 

Good recently made remarks that were both alarming and revealing. The contingent like Diana and Chris Shores that back Good have a myopic view of the party just like Bob Good who was quoted stating:

"We are going all-in to win this nomination and the General Election in November to make this seat bright red for Republicans in 2020."

"Bright red"? 

The VA5 seat is already controlled by Republicans. The notion that a nomination and victory by Good in November implies that the district would be "bright red" as compared to the district today with Riggleman at the helm. Of course this is simply yet another smear by the far right extremists that believe their belief systems are "brighter" red than other Republicans who in their view have little conservative virtue.

Following Governor Northam's Executive Orders that impacted GOP primaries and conventions, the Virginia 5th was forced to potentially explore other options relating to nominating a candidate. However, due to a 2019 amendment to the Republican Party Plan it has become increasing difficult to change or alter a nomination method once said method has been publicized. District Committees across Virginia are trying to figure out alternative methods but frankly their hands are tied. The party membership at large appears unwilling to accept mail in or online voting by delegates which leaves only "in person" or "drive thru" primary or convention voting.

Rep. Riggleman (R) attempted to offer a solution given the pandemic crisis and sought to examine whether the voting method could be changed from convention to primary given the orders that the Commonwealth are under in terms of social distancing. Supporters of the Good campaign quickly targeted any delegate who would consider such a change or vote in support of such a change by issuing a threat of legal action to the tune of fifty thousand dollars per delegate that would support any change from convention to primary method.

Kurt Lofquist, Campaign Manager for Denver Riggleman in response to actions taken by the Good campaign surrogates stated:

“This lawsuit is targeting committee members with the express purpose of influencing their vote.” said Lofquist. “The Congressman is appalled and disgusted the Bob Good campaign would allow one of their most ardent supporters to single out committee members in a lawsuit.”

The other issue of course that must be examined is the continuation of district committees working against the interest of the Virginia GOP and working to replace members of Congress with seats held by the very Republican officials these committees should be supporting. Instead many on these committees are working diligently to undermine elected Republicans and have them replaced with individuals they have privately worked behind the scenes to move forward. There are claims that some of these members are being paid by challengers to the incumbents to screw favor on the committees. How does any of this align with the Republican Party Plan?

                        ( Chris Shores, middle and Diana Shores, right)

In the Virginia 5th you have people like minister Melvin Adams and Chris Shores both leaders on the 5th Congressional District Committee encouraging challenges to existing Republican leaders and many claim working in support of challengers to existing Republican official in office. Are these committee members being compensated by these challengers? No one has forgetton the political disaster that is Texan transplant Cynthia Dunbar after relocating to Virginia following her unsuccessful bid in the Texas 22nd Congressional District who decided to not only run for Congress in the Virginia 6th in 2018 but also in the Virginia 5th in the same cycle. There may be a movie in there somewhere someday.

Supported by the Shores and Adams, many believed Dunbar would challenge Denver Riggleman (R)  or potentially Ben Cline (R) again even though there is little evidence she ever moved into the Virginia 5th in the first place before Bob Good was annoited as the challenger.

Diana Shores even had her Cumberland County Republican Committee vote no confidence on Riggleman simple for performing the wedding ceremony in an effort to undermine Riggleman and "shore" up support of the Bob Good campaign.

Both Chris and Diana Shores made a name for themselves back during the days of the Tea Party and now continue to support far, far right extreme candidates against fellow Republicans they have deemed unworthy. Candidates like Cynthia Dunbar who claimed "Gold told her to run for the Sixth" yet after losing ran in the Virginia 5th as well. Melvin Adams who last year was asked by many to resign his position as Chair of the Virginia 5th District Committee as a result of his unacceptable remarks targeting members of the LGBQT community. Young Republicans on college campus spought his resignation in 2019.

Republicans like Elliot Harding resigned as Young Republican representative to the VA5 District Committee after Melvin Adams refused to resign his position after his outlandish comments. Harding's resignation was a shot fired that sounded the alarm that those like Adams were alienating young college conservatives who do not share in such bigoted and hateful belief systems. Melvin Adams on facebook months later regarding what he and the Shores perceived as an unacceptable "gay wedding ceremony" stated this:

The retaliation has been swift by the religious authoritarians who took offense to the Young Republicans challenging "elders" on the committees resulting in ultimately a proposal to limit the YR's participation at the State Central Committee level.  This was a coordinated and targeted retaliation by the Conservative Fellowhip to seek to amend the Republican Party Plan this summer to reduce the voices on that committee. Once again illustrating an effort to exclude voices. Excluding voices that oppose their nefarious activities and agendas.

Melvin Adams went on the record after Riggleman officiated the wedding and declared that "his" ( not the people of the 5th mind you) committee does “not accept the Supreme Court’s redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal, whether through judicial reconsideration or a constitutional amendment returning control over marriage to the states.”

This continues to be the religious social conservatives fight. Arguing settled social issues that the majority of Virginians and Americans have little interest in fighting and have moved  in exactly the opposite direction from.

It is clear this new movement within the far, far right wing religious wing is attempting to reconfigure or reshape the Republican Party of Virginia in a manner that fails to reflect the traditions of the Republican Creed. Many are seeing this for the first time and raising questions not only in the VA5 and VA6 but with regard to the State Senator Amanda Chase (R) campaign for Governor  as well. Chase has aligned with the individuals mentioned above. Chase's positions on conversion therapy ,anti discrimmination bills and her opposition to gay marriage align with Melvin Adams and the statements being made by those opposing Denver Riggleman (R) in VA5. Chase failed to defend Riggleman as well. Many recall Chase supporting the Tina Freitas challenge to State Senator Emmett Hanger in 2019 and recently Chase has endorsed Nick Freitas in the Virginia Seventh Congressional District.   See Chase group here:(https://www.facebook.com/groups/999287823791649/)

The assault upon the traditions of the Republican Party has not gone unnoticed by many affiliated auxillaries and groups aligned with the Republican Party of Virginia. A strong rebuke regarding the actions of the extremists was delivered here:

There is an apparent coordination between the elements seeking to undermine the RPV from within the VA5 and VA6. John Massoud, Vice Chair of the Virginia 6th District Congressional Committee appears to have aligned with those in the VA5 attempting to work against his own Congressman in Ben Cline (R) who defeated Cynthia Dunbar in a primary in 2018 and go on to win his election to Congress. Cline replaced Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R) who retired from Congress. John Massoud recently has targeted Jennifer M. Brown who Chairs the Virginia 6th District Committee in large part because Brown has been a huge obstacle in the face of Massoud and others preventing them from undermining the elected Congressional and Legislative Virginia Republicans from the district. Massoud blamed the Republican Party of Virginia in recent  press release for:

1. Not running candidates in each Legislative District – something which also occurred repeatedly in the 6^th Congressional District.  
2. Not running one ad against a sitting Governor and Attorney General who wore blackface, and a sitting Lt. Governor who has had credible allegations of sexual assault made against him.
3. Voter lists are so out of date that they often show known Democrats as being hardcore Republicans.

Of course none of these issues are primarily the Republican Party of Virginia's fault. It is left to people like Massoud and the local committees to identify prospective candidates for the legislature for open seats or those seats held by the Democratic Party and other offices and not the RPV specifically. To cast shadow on the RPV for what is the responsibility of others in an attempt to convince Republicans to support him for Chairman is rather disconcerting. 

John Massoud like Adams seeks to transform the party into a religious crusade that will alienate a majority of Virginians. There appears to be more of a lust for power with Massoud, Adams, Dunbar and the Shores than any attempt to move the Republican Party forward in winning elections. Otherwise, why work so hard to undermine Denver Riggleman (R) in VA5 or even Ben Cline (VA6)? Could it be because Massoud like those on the VA5 committee are Never Trumpers themselves in truth and were Ted Cruz supporters. Cynthia Dunbar for example was State Co-Chair for Ted Cruz for President in 2016. Cruz mustered only 16.9% of the primary vote in 2016  behind both Trump and Rubio who both doubled Cruz's support in Virginia.

These individuals represent a clear and present danger to the Republican Party of Virginia and seek to implement their own agenda and litmus tests in terms of membership not only for committee but delegates to conventions.  These individuals need to be watched closely with the role they play in delegate review given their clear bias against incumbents that are Republicans supported by Trump.

If these individuals have been found to have violated the Republican Party Plan with acitivites they have enaged in they should be removed from any committee and its activities moving forward immediately. Many have called for the removal of Melvin Adams in the VA5  but it is up to the delegates  in the VA5 to undertake that end.

Denver Riggleman (R) may not be their guy but he certainly the leader for the majority of Republicans in the Virginia Fifth District and has little problem highlighting and defending his conservative rating/record in Congress to anyone in the district. Riggleman has already exposed the hypocrisy and level of corruption of many in the VA5. 

"I have always pledged on running a campaign of integrity and transparency. That's why I have attached the FEC filings so you can judge for yourself on this matter. Both the committee members on Bob Goods payroll have voted on key decisions during this nomination process and have been put on special committees by the Chairman. One of these paid committee members even had their wife appointed to a special State Central Committee panel to decide the nomination process during the COVID crisis" (Denver Riggleman)

Defend the Republican Party of Virginia now from this imminent danger and threat from within and ensure that the Committee Chairs remain in the hands of competent leaders like Jennifer M. Brown in the VA6 that sole purpose is winning and moving the Republican Party of Virginia forward.

https://conservativestateus.blogspot.com/2020/05/bait-switch-chase-communications-prove.html

https://conservativestateus.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-virginia-3rd-congressional-ground.html

J.Scott

"Bait & Switch": Chase Communications Prove Claims False

                                              https://www.facebook.com/TurnVARedAgain/

                  Has State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase (R)  compromised her campaign?

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever maybe our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”

- John Adams

“The Virginia Transparency Caucus encourages public engagement and allows the public to hold their legislators more accountable by bringing the General Assembly to the ordinary citizen,”(Senator Amanda Chase).

State Senator Amanda Freeman Chase ( R ) representing the Virginia 11th District comprising Chesterfield, Amelia, and Colonial Heights has gone to war this week with supporters over whom she calls "nefarious" and "bad actors". The battle continued over the weekend after Chase released a post and then provided a recording of her interview with the Richmond Times -Dispatch that she apparently failed to inform reporter Patrick Wilson of the @RTDNews she was recording. Wilson published an article on Richmond.com attempting to get the evasive Chase on the record regarding her attempts to take control of one of the supporter pages on Facebook and have it fundraise for her campaign "unofficially". The group had no desire in becoming a "dark site" for Chase.

As of this post there are about a half dozen "Chase for Governor" pages and groups on Facebook. There is no reporting of Chase raising any concerns regarding any of these pages or groups. As a public figure, it is not uncommon for "supporter" and "fan" pages or groups to be created without the involvement of the figure. The group that Chase chose to go to war with was fully transparent in its efforts and intentions behind creating the group. Its description clearly states that the group is unaffiliated with any campaign nor is run by any staff from any campaign. It is clear from the public comments made that Chase attempted to seek "control" of the group by demanding placement of her own staff or herself as administrator of the group.

Join is discussion in Chasing Victory in Virginia 2020-21 here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2606638476319301/

Chase had joined the group herself on Janaury 20, 2020. It was not until she became angry over a post reported to her by her mother who also was in the group that a supporter posted a positive post concerning State Senator Jill Vogel (R). Vogel was the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor in 2017. It was commented that Vogel while losing to Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax (D) outperformed every other Republican running for statewide office in ther last few cycles including President Trump. This comment angered Chase who has demonstrated a very thin skin in the past (See Capital Police incident 2019) when dealing with others especially conservatives she feels should hold allegiance to her.

Chase became irate when she was taken to task for her vote on an anti-discrimination bill S.B 868 passed by the Virginia Senate in which she voted "Nay".Chase felt as though she should not have to defend her votes or positions to "supporters" and that anyone that would question her positions is clearly not a "supporter". Chase asserted that if you are in a "supporter group" that it was no place to question her positions on such things as conversion therapy which Chase says she supports. These votes are controversial positons for many voters in Virginia especially suburban families with children that are gay or lesbian or identify a transgender queer. These families may not be Chase's target audience today but will need them come any statewide race in 2021 and that was exactly what the supporter was asking Chase to explain. Chase has stated she is pro-family yet her vote on S.B. 868 is appears to contradict that claim. When dealing with issues, Chase typical invokes her Christian faith and that has not sat well with all supporters according to recent interactions. Not all families living in Virginia hold the same "values" as Chase let alone her faith.


                                    

Chase was called out for the fact the Republican Creed clearly states that "all individuals are entitled to equal rights, justice and opportunities". In effect her vote denies such equal rights to minorities,  pregant women and people of differing national origins. Chase defended her "conservative" positions but was informed that they were not "Republican" positions. Chase has been removed from her local county Republican committee last September for similar decisions after not following the committees by laws and going her own way.  The vote against any anti-discrimination is a vote in support of discrimination itself. A battle that the Republican Party itself fought for in the Civil Rights Movement.

Chase decided to take to her official page to condemn the group she had been a member of four months with no issues after the group adminstrators and moderator refused to remove the supporters who questioned her or would not permit her Campaign Manager Philip Search being made administrator. Chase's position appears to be that if the group moderators were true "supporters" they would simply turn the group they built to over eleven thousand members over to her. This appears to be a pattern for Chase similar to her incident with the Capital Police where she made claims than once a video was released was forced to walk back her intial claim that she did not drop the "f bomb" in berating an officer. Chase appears to have asserted she made no demands upon the group moderators, however communication between Chase and the group prove that claim false.

Chase released the following statement on her official page regarding the supporters group:

“Bait and switch” is an unethical, non-transparent and disingenuous tactic used not only to lure innocent non-suspecting victims to purchase goods presented as one thing that turn out to be something completely different, victimizing the consumer.

And that which is substituted is usually far substantially less in value that was originally marketed. Unfortunately, that happens in politics and this week it happened to me. Well I refuse to be the victim.

I’ve learned in politics that there are supporters and then there are opportunists. There is no greater honor than earning the confidence of someone who believes you are the right person for a position.

Since I’ve announced my run for governor I’ve had many opportunists who tried to use my name and tremendous support across the Commonwealth for their own agenda and even nefarious purposes. I could ignore it but I won’t. As a champion of transparency, I expose it and confront it.

A guy posing as a supporter created a supporter page bearing my name. Over 11k captive supporters to date. Now they are using it as a springboard to recruit a Democrat-like candidate who they will run as a Republican against me. We’re one step ahead of them"

The "Democrat-like" candidate is a clear swipe at State Senator Jill Vogel (R) whom Chase claims ask her to run her 2017 Lt. Governor campaign in a text to supporters. Chase calls the members "captive supporters" as if members are somehow required to remain in the group or kept from leaving. A group that has steadily grown for four months with no issues until Chase was angered by the groups unwillingness to perform what they consider nefarious actions like fundraising off the group. 

The real "opportunist" in this case appears not to be the supporters group  but rather Amanda Chase herself. Chase sought to capture the largest supporters group on facebook for her own purposes. The main purpose was clearly to control member participation and control the speech which puts Chase in the awkward position in light of her continued championing of the 1st Amendment.

Chase claimes that since her announcement in February to run for Governor she has "had many opportunists that have tried to use her name" yet has never spoken publicly or provided any details regarding this instances or made any such claim before on her official page as she made in this instance.

The group in question provided the group activity for the group and demonstrated that Senator Chase's public claim of it being over 30,000 was false. The group has never had more than 11,400 members as illustrated by the activity report.  Chase futher claimed in her interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter that she did not know the group adminstrators and further informed her followers they were "fake", "nefarious" "bad actors" and people she did not know.

On Monday, text communications were published on the web that demonstrate that Senator Chase in fact not only knew the adminstrators but had been in contact with them as far back as October 2019. Apparently the "fake supporters" and "opportunists"  as she claims assisted Chase in her campaign for Senate in 2019. Chase's personal cell phone was used to communicate with adminstrators she claims to have not known here:

These texts did not come from the campaign or staffer but Chase's personal cell phone. Further texts demonstrate that Chase not only knew the parties involved but that her staff had communicated to her what good "supporters" they were of hers. The person named in this text was Chase's Legislative Aid in her Senate office in Richmond:

One thing is clear. The claims being advanced by Chase are false. Chase or her satff has in fact been in contact with these citizens both during session of the GeneralAssembly as well as outside of session. Chase claimed in her interview that her staff has been with her for two years and know better than to contact citizens during session realating to fundraising yet failed to explain exactly why her Campaign Manager contacted administrators on 2/25/20. Chase failed to answer what "business" her campaign staff would have during session contacting adminstrators as call logs represent.

Chase responded with calling out the reporting by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and stating:

"Please join me in canceling your subscription to the Richmond Times Dispatch (#RichmondsCNN)to protest their attack on conservative candidates; like me. I just canceled my 7 day subscription after this last hit piece that came out today.

There is an all out orchestrated attack on conservatives and I refuse to support it!"

Chase subsequently has dismissed the reporting as mere "fake news" and continues to attempt to siphon supporters off of the supporters page she herself  called "fake". This action is about moving those members to her new "Chase for Governor" group where she can fundraise off of supporters in the manner she sought with the original group.

Chase has yet to recant any of her denials or false statements even with published communication between her and her staff coming out. Back in 2016, Amanda Chase took part in the creation of the "Virginia Transparency Caucus". Chase championed the VTC yet appears to not practice at all what she preaches. Chase is not responding to requests to produce evidecne she has to support her claims against the adminstrators yet continues to assert them. This is reminiscent of the Northam vacationing claims in North Carolina during the pandemic crisis.

Chase undertook the very same tactic regarding her claims that Governor Ralph Northam (D) of Virginia was vacationing in North Carolina while Virginians were under Executive Orders to remain at home. On April 21, 2020 Chase informed her followers on her official page that:

"I’ve received many messages by those I know and trust in law enforcement that Governor Northam has been sighted in Manteo, North Carolina aka the Outer Banks during our stay at home order. They’ve sent pictures and other evidence." (Senator Chase)

Chase has yet to release any evidence to support her claims. The "picture and other evidence" claim was clearly nefarious and meant solely to manufacture a story for her own political gain.

This seems to be a pattern for Senator Chase in terms of negative interactions with fellow legislators as well as private citizens and Capital Police. None of the commincation relased thus far supports any claim Chase has made and in fact does just the opposite.The supportes group has asked Chase to apologize publically for her mischaracterizations regarding the group and its members.

As of this morning the supporters group has changed its name but appears to still have over 10,000 members since Senator Amanda Freeman Chase attempted to discredit the group as being "fake" last week on her official Senator page on Facebook. The group has been forced to defend itself against the pulpit of an official State Legislator that has clearly misrepresented facts and had her staff continue to push false claims in videos on facebook directed at the supporter group.

State Senator Chase is proving herself to be exactly what she claims she is not; a true politcian.

https://conservativestateus.blogspot.com/2020/05/amanda-chase-r-clashes-with-supporters.html