GOP Civil War: Amanda Chase Renews Threat to Run As An Independent If She Loses “Rigged” Convention
VA GOP frontrunner Amanda Chase doubled down on her threat to run as an independent in an interview yesterday, setting up a nasty fight for the Trump base from now until November – something sure to doom Republicans’ prospects of winning statewide in 2021. Chase reupped her concerns the convention would be “rigged” against her, saying: “If it’s not fair, I’ll run as an independent.”
Chase, who fought for a primary, cited concerns with the messy convention process, which has been an absolute trainwreck:
- One of candidate Pete Snyder’s senior staff members played an advisory role on the State Central Committee, which is responsible for making nomination decisions.
- Glenn Youngkin’s campaign is under investigation for canvassers pretending to be RPV employees while speaking with voters.
- State Committee leaders fought for weeks over how to choose a nominee, with one meeting even ending abruptly as members shouted at Republican Party Chair Rich Anderson to resign.
- Once party leaders finally decided on a nomination method, they neglected to inform their chosen location, Liberty University, who did not agree to hold the convention unless the RPV paid for it (a real issue considering the RPV is “disorganized and broke”).
- Voters are concerned about party leaders using a convention to choose the nominee, commenting: “This is an absolute joke,” “The convention is RIGGED,” “This smells fixed,” and “Are you trying to rig the choice to select your choice over ours?.”
The VA GOP has been a complete “train wreck” this year, and their long list of mediocre candidates for governor are in a battle to prove their loyalty to Donald Trump. Regardless of who comes out on top – Chase has made it clear she’s going to be on the ballot in November no matter what. And adding to the chaos – former GOP Rep. Denver Riggleman has tossed around the idea of his own independent bid, calling the VA GOP “a raging dumpster fire.”
Party leaders have expressed their frustration with the messy nomination fight, saying when Republicans are divided, “they have no shot of winning.”
“Amanda Chase seems to have already decided this convention is rigged – so it looks like Republicans could have a spoiler on the ballot this November,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “Even if Chase chooses not to run as an independent, the Virginia GOP is probably doomed – all seven of their candidates are too extreme for Virginia and are out of touch with the commonwealth. Regardless of who ends up on the ballot, we’re confident Virginia will elect another Democratic governor.”