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Virginia Beach Democrats endorsing a Republican [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-06-15

At least it sure seems that way. When a well known Democratic political activist found out there was not a Democrat running for Sheriff in Virginia Beach, the largest city in Virginia, he set out to find a candidate. 24 hours later he had one, Amber Phelps.

10 days before the deadline for filing, Amber Phelps met 2 of the VA Beach Democratic party vice chairs at a political event. The paperwork has been filed; all Phelps needs now is for the committee to approve so she can run as a Democrat.

x A Dem candidate has filed for Va. Beach Sheriff. She informed 2 officers of the @vabeachdems that she would run 8 days ago. Her CCQ & SOEI were accepted by the local registrar 5 days ago. @vademocrats can now help @vabeachdems nominate her. @DPVAChairhttps://t.co/ROJHGYahzB — 90 For 90 (@90For90) June 15, 2025

x This is Section 12.7 of the DPVA Party Plan, recently updated in March 2025. It states that when no Dem candidate has been nominated by the usual methods, (primary, convention, caucus), the local committee should nominate a candidate as they see fit, by any method they choose. https://t.co/jUCJpd7KQt pic.twitter.com/ZTDTrHI1uD — 90 For 90 (@90For90) June 15, 2025

At this time that seems like it’s not going to happen though, and I can’t figure out why. There are a lot of rules about running, filing, etc. and the party isn’t following their own rules.

Since the Republican Sheriff of Virginia Beach, Rocky Holcomb, is cooperating with ICE, I would think they would want to elect a sheriff that won’t cooperate with Trumps politically motivated, xenophobic game plan. And yet, the Democratic committee of Virgnia Beach is choosing not to compete. WTF!? Apparently, they can’t get it together in time?

It was suggested to Phelps by the Va. Beach chair that she could run as an Independent. The problem with that is that Amber Phelps is not an independent, she's a Democrat.

x Would it be smart politics for @vabeachdems to leave the incumbent MAGA Republican Va. Beach Sheriff uncontested when they have a Democratic candidate who is already filed and ready to run for this office ? https://t.co/rcaQr4mHMB — 90 For 90 (@90For90) June 14, 2025

x Seems to me that @vabeachdems have the authority to green light the candidate under Article 12 of the Party Plan. It's critical that we field a candidate here, and I'm shocked that local leaders aren't doing anything about it. Where are you on this, @AaronRouseVA? https://t.co/k2yjNrDeEe — Victor Salgado for Lt. Governor (@victorforva) June 13, 2025

x The Va. Beach Dem Sheriff candidate has successfully filed all of their required paperwork & no other Dem candidate has stepped forward. However, it appears that the Va. Beach Dem committee may choose to run no candidate, effectively re-electing Rocky Holcomb on Tuesday evening. https://t.co/WN8CYaJWeS — 90 For 90 (@90For90) June 13, 2025

There are dozens of sheriff’s races in 2025, including 28 in Virginia, with hundreds more nationwide next year. But before immigrant rights activists can organize around these races, they need actual candidates to be running for office—and that’s been a challenge. In Virginia Beach, the state’s most populous city, which also voted for Harris in November, the Republican sheriff is running unopposed. Local Democrats could technically still hold a special caucus vote to nominate a candidate until June 17. boltsmag.org/...

x 🚨This is from the ‘Va. Dem Local Chairs Handbook’. It reminds local Dem chairs that their “overall & constant goal” should be “electing Democratic candidates to public office and expanding the Democratic electorate.”



Should @vabeachdems follow this advice from @vademocrats ? https://t.co/jUCJpd7KQt pic.twitter.com/bCCS00TU7o — 90 For 90 (@90For90) June 15, 2025

So, we have until Tuesday June 17th at 5pm. Let’s light a fire under these guys and urge them to run the Democrat who is ready and waiting.

Contact these folks

At the state level vademocrats.org/...:

Chair — Lamont Bagby — [email protected]

Political Director — Emily Hamm [email protected]

DPVA Communications Director-Kelsey [email protected]

At the local level vbdemocrats.org/...

Chair — Sean Monteiro

Vice Chair of Operations Jamal Gunn

Vice Chair of Precincts & Elections

Susan Loesberg

[email protected]

We really just want to help these folks in Virginia do the right this and I think this Virginia musician would agree.

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