The Virginia Republican Party has Decided that Statewide Candidates Running in the November General Election will be Nominated at a May 8th Drive-in-Cconvention at Liberty University.
The Convention will use Ranked-Choice-Voting (RCV). If No Candidate get 50% of the Vote on the First Round, subsequent Round Picks of each Last Candidate, are counted, until One Contender emerges with a Majority of the Vote.
The Convention will be used instead of a Primary to Choose the Nominees for: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. The Decision, made, late Tuesday night, by Virginia Republicans' State Central Committee, followed Months of Disagreements over the Best Methods to choose the GOP Candidates in the Off-Year Election.
Conservatives have long accused the Virginia GOP of using a Convention instead of a Primary as a way to Protect Establishment Candidates. The Virginia Democratic Party will choose its 2021 Nominees through a State-run Primary on June 8th.
Attendees of the Drive-In Convention will be able to stay in their Cars for the whole time to comply with Social Distancing Guidelines.
The State party said Liberty, known for its Support for Conservative Causes, has already Approved the Plan. The Lynchburg University pushed back on that Claim, saying Nothing has been Set-in-Stone.
"When asked by the Virginia GOP officials about the possibility of leasing portions of retail center lots off campus for a day to facilitate a COVID-19 plan for its convention, Liberty said it would consider it, provided that full rental cost for the use was paid," the School said in a Wednesday Statement.
The Decision to hold a Convention over a Primary has Significant Ramifications for the Nominating Process. A Candidate could have Won a Primary with 30% of the Vote, but Winning the Nomination in a Convention would Require the Support of 50%+ of Delegates.
One of the most Vocal Proponents for a GOP Primary is State Sen. Amanda Chase (R-11th District), a Candidate for Governor, who has aligned herself Closely with Trump and Boasts enthusiastic grassroots support in Pockets of the State.
However, Bipartisan Criticism over Past Comments calling for Martial law to Overturn the 2020 Presidential Election and apparently expressing Support for the Mob that Stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6th has raised Questions over whether she could hit the 50% Threshold.
"I would like the VA GOP State Central Committee to answer a question. 1,962,430 voters voted for President Trump in Virginia. How are you going to accommodate these people who will want to cast a vote for our statewide candidates?" Chase Tweeted in a Rebuke of the Tuesday Night Decision.
Eight Republicans are vying for the Nomination to Run for Governor, Five for Lieutenant Governor, and Three for Attorney General.
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