With the exception of the westernmost areas of Virginia, every urban area in the state has become solidly Democratic over the past few years: Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, Norfolk, Hampton—all solid blue. There is one big exception, however, that is keeping Virginia purple:
Virginia Beach.
It’s the state’s most populous city, and should be a shade of blue like the surrounding areas. Yet this city has had a very annoying, determined red streak. It shouldn’t be this way. As pxbuckeye puts it in his diary, this isn’t much due to demographics or because the GOP is just so darn good here. No, it’s mainly because Democrats simply don’t mount credible challenges.
If we have good people running, and give them the backing they need, we can turn this city—and thus Virginia—blue. We can forever deny Virginia to the rightwing extremists and ensure no one like Trump ever has a shot here again.
The GOP juggernaut here is a façade that can easily be broken, and it starts with the takedown of one powerful family that runs the Virginia Beach GOP. This is a family that no one in the region ever wants to cross—either GOP or Democrat. It’s a family that everyone knows but no one likes to mention: The Stolles. (Rhymes with “follies”.)
Just to give you a taste of this dynasty:
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Ken Stolle is the Sheriff of Virginia Beach.
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Chris Stolle (brother) is a Delegate to the Virginia House of Delegates.
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Colin Stolle (brother) is the VA Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney.
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Siobhan Stolle Dunnavant (sister) is a VA state Senator.
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Edward Stolle (brother) was appointed Commissioner of Accounts.
Virginia has off-year elections, like New Jersey. Most people are focused on the governor’s race, as they should be. But Democrats need to start chipping away at the Stolle Dynasty. Chris Stolle and Ken Stolle are both up for re-election. (Colin is as well, but he is unopposed as usual.)
Chris Stolle was elected in 2009. He ran unopposed in 2011, 2013, and 2015. Finally, this year, Chris Stolle has an opponent: David Rose-Carmack. Compare the grassroots donations to Chris’ major donors. David is crossing the family and the GOP machine. He is the underdog, but he has a shot.
The person I want to focus on, however, is Sheriff Ken Stolle. Ken was already a state senator before he decided to pad his state retirement by securing a job as Virginia Beach Sheriff. This year, a Virginia Beach police veteran named John Bell is running against him. Little more about him later.
First, let’s talk about how Sheriff Ken Stolle runs things.
There’s the incident with his son, Kenneth Stolle, who is a deputy sheriff. He was involved in a DUI hit and run. Back in the day, I interned with a Commonwealth Attorney and did a research paper on VA DUI laws. They are among the toughest in the nation—a DUI conviction can be both life-altering and expensive.
Unless, of course, you have connections.
Stolle's clothing appeared normal, but he had watery eyes, smelled strongly of alcohol and swayed as he walked, and he refused to take a field sobriety test, according to the worksheet. The officer arrested him shortly before 10 p.m., and a subsequent breath test registered a 0.18 percent blood-alcohol content, according to a certificate in the court file.
The legal limit in Virginia is .08. Kenneth had .18 in his system. After Stolle rear-ended a car, he tried to leave and was pulled over two blocks away. Lucky for Kenneth, the attorney who represented him was none other than Tommy Norment—who also happens to be the damn Virginia GOP Senate majority leader (as well as a big donor for Ken Stolle for Sherriff).
Stolle was acquitted of the DUI. He just had to pay a $250 fine for the hit and run. Justice.
Then I was encouraged to look at Ken Stolle’s campaign contributions, and I noticed a pattern. One of his biggest donors ($15,000) is Byron Lee Harrison, president of NaphCare. I wondered why a man in Birmingham, Alabama would care about a local race in Virginia Beach.
Could this be why?
NaphCare, Inc., an independent partner to correctional facilities nationwide for innovative healthcare management and technology solutions, has been awarded a new contract to provide comprehensive healthcare services for the Virginia Beach Correctional Center in Virginia Beach, VA
Stolle’s other big donors include Global Tel-Link ($21,000) which provides phone service for Virginia correctional facilities and Catering by Marlins ($30,000) , which of course manages food service for correctional facilities.
Hmmmmmmmm.
Now let’s talk about the man who dares to stand up to the family: John Bell
John Bell has served his entire career in law enforcement. He was a beat cop in 1973 and then in 1976 moved to join the Virginia Beach Police Department.
During his career, Bell worked assignments as a detective, patrol sergeant, and lieutenant. In 1997 he was promoted to the rank of captain, serving as a Command Duty Officer, Commander of the First and Third Precincts, Detective Bureau and Professional Standards Office (Internal Affairs). November 2010 Bell was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief of Police, where he commanded the Professional Standards Division of the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Unlike his opponent, Bell has scruples and has dedicated his life to VA Beach law enforcement. He was told by Ken Stolle himself he has no chance going up against him—the family is just too entrenched. Let’s prove them wrong. Let this one domino fall, and once it’s shown that the Stolles are paper tigers, we can work on removing the rest of their infection from the city—and maybe get Virginia Beach back on track.
Volunteer for John Bell
Donate to John Bell
The rest of this diary I am borrowing from pxbuckeye, as he outlined all of the other good candidates running for VA Beach office.
According to the Cook Political Report, Fowler (D-21) has the best chance of a flip. This is followed by Turpin (D-85), which is a complete toss-up. The next best chances are Carmack, the guy fighting Chris Stolle, (D-83) and Coleman (D-84). The others have a shot if there is a giant blue wave, which grows more likely every day.
Feel free to donate to one or all. Let’s take this city back!
- I am the youngest of 4 siblings, was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised there and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I was lucky enough to marry my best friend, but unfortunately became his widow after a brief fight with cancer.
- I served 25 years active duty in the US Air Force and Navy, retiring from the Navy as a Master Chief in 2004. I received my BS in Computer Information Systems, with a business core, from Saint Leo University. I later received my AAS in Paralegal Studies from Tidewater Community College.
- I was trained by IRS and the Virginia Department of taxation in personal income and small business tax preparation .
- Virginia Beach has been my home for over 20 years. I previously lived in the Glenwood subdivision. My brother, nephew and his two school-aged sons live with me in the Alexandria subdivision.
Virginia Beach House of Delegates candidates and One Other.
Here are the candidates taking on Republican-held districts in the Virginia Beach area.
Kelly's successful home renovation business gave her first hand experience with the kinds of challenges small business owners face every day. Additionally she developed and sharpened a variety of important skills that will allow her to serve the 21st District well in the House of Delegates. For example, she became a great listener and learned to negotiate creative, win-win solutions in the face of obstacles.
Kelly is on the Board of Directors of her Home Owners Association and is an active volunteer in the Hampton Roads region. She is passionate about fairness and ensuring that government works for everyone, not just the rich and well connected. Kelly is an energetic, progressive leader who will make a difference in the community when she is the Delegate for District 21!
Kimberly Anne is a retired educator, a cancer survivor, a military wife and mother, and a grassroots organizer. As a teacher and Assistant Principal, Kimberly had a firsthand look at our public school system, the impact it has on students’ lives, and the vital role it plays in our communities. That experience fostered her commitment to protecting and strengthening our public school system.
But it was a journey through our healthcare system that inspired the cornerstone of her campaign for the House of Delegates. Kimberly was successful in a battle against cancer but understood that there might have been a very different outcome if it weren’t for the excellent medical coverage she was fortunate enough to have. That insight inspired her campaign for the House of Delegates and motivated her commitment to ensuring that every man, woman, and child in Virginia has the coverage they need.
Leigh Anne was born and raised in western North Carolina after her father completed his service in the United States Air Force as a practicing dentist. Her parents always reminded her, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” This family principle and Leigh Anne’s professional training and personal experiences have led to her decision to run as a Candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, 82nd District. Leigh Anne is particularly concerned about Virginia’s failure to expand Medicaid; its failure to adopt equal pay for equal work and living wage legislation; and its failure to address redistricting reform fairly. Leigh Anne has served as a volunteer for the Sierra Club and is a strong opponent of offshore drilling and the Atlantic Coast pipeline. She is an advocate for labor rights, women’s reproductive rights, and the LGBTQ community, and she hopes to bring her knowledge and experience as a practicing attorney to the 82nd District as a Delegate and effectively reach across the aisle to help Virginia become the Commonwealth of real engagement. “Core Values & Core Results” is her campaign slogan. Leigh Anne also believes in keeping big money out of politics so that special interests aren’t given more power than voters.
Virginia's 83rd needs leadership with a clear vision for the future, someone who will work tirelessly in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Richmond to help make that vision a reality. I believe I am the person to take on that challenge, to work with leaders in Norfolk and Virginia Beach to make sure they have everything they need to make their cities, our community, prosper.
From healthcare to education to the environment, there are so many issues affecting our Commonwealth, but not enough solutions. I am running for Delegate because I believe that we deserve better policies and politics than we have now, that we deserve leaders who will work together to find solutions to the challenges we face. I am looking forward to paving the way for all Virginians to a future where we lift one another up so we can all move forward together.
Look around, ask me questions, help me show you why you should head to your polling place this November and choose David for Delegate.
Dr. Veronica Coleman is the Pastor of New Jerusalem Ministries, a community focused ministry that she founded in 2010. New Jerusalem Ministries’ work in the community is so widely recognized Kthat in 2015, it received the Model Partnership Award from the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. in recognition of its Mentoring Program and its other outreach efforts conducted on behalf of the students in the city.
A recognized leader in the community, Dr. Coleman is the immediate Past President of the Virginia Beach Interdenominational Ministers Conference and has served in leadership capacities with other civic and religious organizations. She served for many years as a volunteer reporter and anchor for the City of Virginia Beach Television Station, VBTV. She currently co-facilitates the Pastors and Community Roundtable designed to improve the relationship between the Virginia Beach Police Department and the community.
In 2016, Cheryl was nominated for the prestigious honor of Teacher of the Year by her fellow teachers at Frank W. Cox High School. Cheryl has served her community for many years offering her leadership in a diverse range of organizations. Cheryl has served as a Board Member for the Make a Difference Foundation, as Activities Coordinator for several school PTA’s, a Girl Scouts Troop Leader, a coach for the Neighborhood Soccer League, and a member of the Sierra Club.
Cheryl has spent much of her career working with at-risk students. She is a partner in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) community. AVID is dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college. Cheryl is a long-time member of both the Virginia Education Association and the National Education Association.
“I believe in quality education, protecting our environment, human rights for everyone and economic opportunities for the great people in Virginia.” ~Cheryl Turpin
Willie Randall is a leader for Norfolk and the Eastern Shore. His roots in service began with the United States Armed Services – serving in the Persian Gulf War, earning the rank of Major, and receiving the Bronze Star. Upon his retirement, his service continued within his community. As a volunteer, Willie served as chairman of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the President of the Eastern Shore United Way. Willie also served as a member of the Northampton Board of Supervisors where he helped lower the county debt, expand pre-K to every child, and create jobs. He will work with Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam and Senator Lynwood Lewis to ensure that Norfolk and the Eastern Shore get their fair share from Richmond.
THIS IS THE fourth IN A SERIES GROUPING CANDIDATES FOR THE VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The first three were:
TO VIEW AN INDEX OF ALL DEMOCRATS CHALLENGING FOR REPUBLICAN-HELD DISTRICTS IN THIS FALL’S VIRGINIA HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACES CLICK HERE.
Required Disclosure: My name is Donald Braden. I am the founder of The Full Slate Project and Full Slate Consulting. I am presently under contract with Freinds of Kimberly Anne Tucker, candidate for Virginia Beach District 81.