Newport News, VA stunner: Newcomer Robin Abbott beats veteran incumbent Phil Hamilton

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

http://www.dailypress.com/dp-newsalert-abbott-hamilton,0,5406368.story

Political newcomer Robin Abbott pulled off a stunning upset, ousting veteran Phil Hamilton.

Hamilton, a Newport News Republican and powerful budget negotiator on the House Appropriations Committee, has run unopposed in the Republican-leaning district for more than a decade.

His seat was considered relatively safe until mid-July, when he became embroiled in a scandal. According to e-mails obtained by the Daily Press, Hamilton lobbied for a $40,000-a-year job at Old Dominion University while carrying an amendment that eventually created an educational center at which he was hired.

Hamilton opted to push on with his re-election campaign, despite calls for his resignation from five of the six statewide candidates, including Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bob McDonnell. But Hamilton continued to endure questions about the ODU job after House Speaker William J. Howell instigated a House ethics inquiry into the affair and federal officials began serving subpoenas to ODU officials and leaders at Newport News Public Schools, where Hamilton is a part-time administrator.

On a personal note, Phil Hamilton taught me civics in middle school.

More here:

http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_elex-house-93_1104nov04,0,2481222.story

[rpannier]

1. Was he a good teacher?

Just curious

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. Actually, he was an excellent teacher (good thing I knew nothing of

his politics back then...).

[rpannier]

5. I have a friend who teaches World History

He's a very energetic, engaging and creative teacher

His politics border on fascism -- something he readily admits to his friends, but would never say in class.

There are people who can separate their political views from work

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

7. A good policy, unless you work in the political spectrum.

[Sukie]

3. Well, at least there is some good news from our area.

I was seriously contemplating moving after today.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. Yeah, it was pretty depressing.

Dang...

[gratuitous]

6. Based on this result . . .

It's crystal clear that the Democrats have become the Party Of America! Right, political pundits of the popular media?