Turmoil surrounded the Democratic Party after the intrinsically corrupt DNC rigged the system against Bernie Sanders to ensure the faux coronation of presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In light of this, the Democratic Party has had anemic fundraising numbers and consistent complaints of inter-party back-room dealings. However, corruption within the party has not ceased and the latest complaints fill the office of the Richmond arm of the Democratic Party after alleged voter intimidation and rigged electoral processes.
James “J.J.” Minor was recently elected to a fifth term as leader of the Richmond Dems, but the vote was thrown out after alleged rampant flaws in the process have been revealed. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the party’s Fourth Congressional District Committee sent out a memo on March 15 stating that it was placing the Richmond committee under a one-year supervision term and will supervise a new election for local political officers.
The 220-member committee is barred from holding an official meeting until new elections are held.
Fourth Congressional District Chairwoman Delegate Lashrecse Aird (D-Chesterfield) said in the memo, “The appeals committee has determined that the Richmond City Democratic Committee’s call to caucus, caucus rules and venue were flawed and inadequate to allow for the process to be adhered to and for the maximum participation of those in attendance.”
10 members of the committee filed complaints explaining checks in the electorial process were devoid amid the January election. Furthermore, the complaints cited uncertainty regarding if an official vote would occur via ballot or a show of hand, leading to allegations of an attempt of voter intimidation.
Currently, Minor, son of Delegate Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond), is the community outreach coordinator for the city’s Department of Economic and Community Development. He is also a strong political ally of Mayor Levar Stoney and a supporter of Stoney’s predecessor, the embattled former Mayor Dwight Jones.
One complaint stated, “[Minor] aggressively dismissed her concern and further questioned her perspective by asking, ‘What do you mean you feel intimidated? There’s no intimidation.'”
The complaints show that the committee’s secretary, who was challenging Minor for the position, was instructed to notify 10 committee members that they were not allowed to cast votes. Reportedly, the instruction resulted in an argument between committee members that led to “physical boundaries being broken.”
“Absolutely the integrity of the process was adhered to,” Minor said, explaining the party’s rules were followed. He also assured that he will be filing an appeal as a result of the Fourth District’s decision. However, allegations claim that the issues were, “not an isolated incident but rather” are “indicative of a larger pattern of behavior.”
The complaint states, “Over the last few years, various incidents, actions and dynamics have occurred in the Richmond City Democratic Committee that threaten the integrity of the Committee, the (Democratic Party of Virginia) Party Plan and our Democratic values.”
Tavarris Spinks, a member of the committee since 2009 who also signed the complaint, said, “Leadership doesn’t follow the rules. They write the rules. It’s maddening.”
According to the report, former party treasurer Eric Payne said there has been increasing frustration with leadership for years, with Minor has been the subject of a number of controversies within the party. During the 2016 campaign, Minor faced criticism from Democrats after he established a political action committee supporting a candidate for City Council who was running against the candidate endorsed by the local committee.
Nevertheless, Payne referred to the committee’s decision to reverse the election surprising.
“I’ve been around the Democratic Party of Virginia for 30 years now,” he said. “I can’t recall anything that was this sweeping of an order to redo things.”
