The mud has already begun flying in the Virginia Attorney General race and Hanover County’s 55th Congressional District race. Attorney General candidate John Brownlee accuses candidate Ken Cuccinelli of being soft on the death penalty. The vote to overturn the Tim Kaine veto failed by 3 votes, with Ken Cuccinelli the only Republican voting with the Democrats. Both campaigns have sent emails to Virginia Republicans.
In Hanover County, wealthy businessman John Cox and prosecutor Rusty McGuire are vying for the 55th District Congresional seat being vacated by 28 year incumbent Frank Hargrove, Sr. By most accounts, Hanover newcomer Jerry Burch is a distant third in the race. Cox has said Richmond does not need more lawyers, in an obvious reference to McGuire’s occupation. It should be noted that McGuire is not a trial lawyer, but rather a prosecutor.
While the mudslinging in the Attorney General race is more issue than mud, Cox has clearly crossed a line into the personal attack catagory.
For the benefit of the Republican party, is it asking too much that the candidates stick to the issues and stay away from attacks on your opponents?
