An evening of local Politics.
The choice is clear.
So, last night, I went to a candidate's meet-and-greet for the Virginia Republican Primary House of Delegates race in District 21. The race is between Greg Gorham and Sahar Smith. I know both of them through my work with the Republican Party and from being involved in the community, but I don't know either of them very well. This was the first opportunity I had to hear either one speak at length about their ideas and what they want to do as a delegate.
You can learn about each candidate by visiting their websites.
But I recommend meeting them in person and listening to them speak in front of a crowd. Websites can be misleading.
Greg spoke first. He was thoughtful. You could tell he put a lot of time and effort into crafting his vision and outlining a plan for what he wants to accomplish in office. He's been a resident of the area for over 25 years and has been active locally for years. He did a great job highlighting his political experience, persistence, and willingness to work across party lines to get things done. He had some trouble with his delivery—fumbled over a few things—but overall, I think he did a really good job.
After Greg was done, Sahar spoke. Now, Sahar and Greg couldn’t be more different. She came across as more empathetic and seemed to connect with the audience immediately, but she lost them quickly. She rambled and circled around questions, answering almost none of them.
When asked how she was better prepared than Greg to win a general election against incumbent Josh Thomas, she went on a long diatribe about Virginia Supreme Court cases and how out of touch the incumbent is with the pro-life movement.
Then things got really interesting.
Sahar was asked by a longtime resident—someone who’s lived in Prince William County for over 60 years—about one of the most hotly debated topics in local politics: data centers. There are rumblings that Sahar has signed a contract with a data center developer, and that if elected, she’d be compromised. She was asked directly: “Did you sign the contract?”
Sahar dodged the question. She said she wouldn’t be compromised and that voters would have a trusted voice in the legislature. But the resident pressed. She pointed out that the question hadn’t been answered, and she asked again.
Have you ever sat in a room full of people where the silence is just eerie? That was one of those moments. I felt bad for her. It was clear she was in a tough spot. She looked back and forth at her husband. She didn’t know what to say. And that silence—that hesitation—was all that needed to be said.
What we’re left to believe from that non-answer is that Sahar has signed a contract with a data center developer, and that the contract may forbid her from even acknowledging that she signed it. If she can’t speak transparently with her constituents about data centers now, how will she be when she’s in office?
Now, you have to ask: What else is in the contract? And why wouldn’t the developer want her talking about it with anyone? Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s not. But as a voter, wouldn’t you want to know for sure first?
If you’re a resident, I think the choice is pretty clear.
Greg Gorham is rooted in the community. He isn’t afraid to stand up for his beliefs, roll up his sleeves, and lend a hand, and he is willing to work collaboratively to get the job done. He is exactly what a citizen should want in a state delegate.
Suppose your greatest asset as a candidate is your ability to connect with constituents, and you can’t speak to them openly about a critical issue in the community. In that case, you probably shouldn’t be running until you can. Sahar might be a good politician one day, but today’s not that day.
Primary voting is open. If you're a Republican, you should get out and vote now. The district is D+1. This is a completely winnable race. If Republicans rally around Greg and give him the support he needs, I think he can flip the district.
Peace and Love,
Jeff Mayhugh