"There Can Be Only One"
The Highlander's quest IS to be the last remaining immortal. (1986 "Highlander" movie). OPINION
Only 1 of the seven (7.25) candidates will win our 10th Senate district seat.
The seven Republican candidates (source: Virginia Public Access Project)
Candidate Comparison.
In this post, we'll look at the four candidates who are relative newcomers on the District-wide political scene. The truth is that none of these four are likely to win. There is no ill intent in saying this. Competing against the three with significant name recognition, large contact lists, and residents in counties with more significant populations is challenging. The only cat here that may understand the old maxim to win, you have to get in the game to establish name recognition for future runs is OCB, and he has nine lives, so watch out!
The following post (or two) will compare the three leading contenders in 5 and Dime’s view, the one we believe will win, and the two whose backgrounds should disqualify them.
The 4 "least likely to win" in alphabetical order:
· Alex Cheatham · Luther Cifers · Bryan Hamlet · Shane Snavely
Our last post summarized the candidate's performances in the "Great Debate" held in Cumberland County, as reported in Cardinal News.
Farmville Herald also covered the "Great Debate" in 2 articles to-date.
LINK: · Stance on abortion. All claim to be very pro-life.
· "Personal legacy" was a softball question, but it's worth reading the article to get to know each better.
· "State Budget". All the candidates agreed we need to reduce wasteful spending and suggested various ways. Cheathum added wanting price transparency for healthcare costs.
LINK :· State budget and personal legacy.
Farmville Herald also covered the “Great Debate” in 3 articles to-date.
LINK: Stance on school choice. All claim to support school choice.
The office of State Senator is not an entry-level position.
The best senators bring to the job experience with state and local governments, including working in regulated businesses and/or serving on Boards and Commissions. A reputation for positive influence in their communities is essential because a senator must represent and serve all constituents in the District.
What's known about the four candidates that set them apart from the herd?
· Their policy stances on issues are nearly identical, so that's no help.
· Hamlett and Cifers have the deepest roots in their local communities. Cifers through his businesses and Hamlet through his Board of Supervisors position. On this point, among the four lesser-known candidates, 5 and Dime gives the nod to Hamlett.
· Cifers has the most experience in the economics of running businesses.
· Hamlett has experience managing a county government (1 year on a Board of Supervisors).
· Snavely worked in the general assembly for about a year as an aide to then-senator Amanda Chase.
Hamlet and Cifers may have entered this race to build name recognition for a future run. That's fair. Both gentlemen have the credentials but are currently relatively unknown in the District. Who knows why Cheatham thinks he is ready to be a state Senator? He's fresh out of college, has virtually no experience, and doesn't even have a campaign website.
Concerning Shayne Snavely, people say he seems focused on destroying Amanda Chase's candidacy. He has attacked her (the videos can be Googled) in several interviews. Snavely speaking out against Chase was well-known during her last campaign. Chase, at some point, obtained a restraining order against Snavely. There is no doubt there is personal animosity here. Snavely seems to be campaigning "against" her as much as "for" himself. You can ponder whether this is the plan and which candidate benefits the most if Snavely successfully damages Chase. Chase has little to offer the 10th District, but either of these two candidates brings unnecessary drama where we need stability. Drama isn't in the Senate seat job description.
The following post will spotlight the other three candidates: Duane Adams, Amanda Chase, and Jean Gannon. "There can be only one!"
The basics: Years living in the 10th Senate district?
Alex Cheatham: 2024 graduate U. Richmond, computer science.
www.linkedin.com/in/alex-cheatham
Campaign website says "Launching soon" "www.cheathamfo" senate.com
Interned for Delegate Tom Garrett for 3 months last winter (2024).
Current employment status unknown.
Luther Cifers: Entrepreneur and successful business owner.
His website provides a lot of information about his businesses. https://luthercifers.com/
Born in Amelia County. Lives in Prince Edward County.
Bryan Hamlet: https://www.hamletforsenate.com/
Career in the building materials industry. Finishing the first year on Cumberland's BoaCumberland'sisors.
https://www.cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov/228/Bryan-Hamlet
Born in Hopewell; "life-long Virginian"; moved to Cumberland in 2020.
Shayne Snavely: https://www.shayneforva.com/
Worked for Senator Amanda Chase as a Legislative Aide (for 1 year?) Current employment status is unknown. He recently moved to Amelia County and previously lived in Floyd County and other states.
The .25:
Orange Cat Bad: Has no website or e-mail; he communicates with constituents by urinating on plants and sending Morse Code by scratching posts and trees.
Served as a Chief Domestic Border Guard and Vermin Patrol. A prodigious hunter connoisseur of wild game, he believes that hunting licenses violate his constitutional rights. He resides in Hanover County and is a life long resident with a household staff and two pet dogs. His philosophy of life and politics is simple; he meows three times, and if he doesn’t get his way, he bites. He is the only candidate with a campaign slogan: “Look at my butt, look at it!” And he plans to put his butt in the face of every Leftist in the Senate. He may even leave them a tootsie roll on their desks.
NEXT UP: IS AMANDA CHASE BAD FOR DISTRICT 10?
Five & Dime VA/HCC is an opinion blog. I employ satire, commentary, and fact to entertain and convey my opinions on religious, cultural, and political issues.