Phil Hamilton's name removed from RPV website

Want to find out which Republicans are running for the House of Delegates? The Republican Party of Virginia has a list.

And Del. Phil Hamilton, R-Newport News, isn't on it.

The name of Hamilton, one of Virginia's most influential lawmakers, has been stricken from the party's official candidate list in the wake of his job scandal at Old Dominion University.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell said Hamilton should quit, although he should be allowed to try and clear his name through an investigation. Joining in the calls for resignation were Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and RPV Chairman Pat Mullins.

When it comes to Hamilton, the cold shoulder appears to be mutual.

Hamilton said he doubted if Mullins would be welcome in the 93rd District, and that his supporters are taking down their McDonnell/Bolling signs.

Hamilton said he's still hearing good things from rank-and-file voters as he campaigns door to door. This morning, we spoke with Democrat Alan Diamonstein, the former Newport News delegate who supports Hamilton.

Diamonstein, who for years was the go-to guy in the General Assembly for the area, says Hamilton should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

The ODU jobs scandal shows that Hamilton was angling for employment at a proposed teaching center before he filed legislation that led to its creation. Once the center became a reality, he was hired there.

Hamilton resigned his ODU job when e-mails showed details of job-seeking but said he never intentionally did anything wrong. Speaker Bill Howell has called for an ethics investigation.

Diamonstein allows that what Hamilton did "was certainly not the brightest thing to do." But Hamilton has gone to bat time and time again for people in Newport News seeking legislation of one sort or another, the Democrat said.

"I think the community owes him an obligation" to hear from the investigation," Diamonsten said Thursday. "Everyone feels he's entitled to his presumption" of innocence.

Comments

[Prudential West]

Interesting story. Trying to find out what ever came about this story...

[bridal gowns]

Would I hang our with Phil, of course he's a fun guy, do I want him representing me and handeling the city's needs, heck no. Still waiting for someone to bring up the fact he has a $30,000 a year countryclub membership to James River Country club that he was able to convince the board to put the membership in his wife's name so that his constituents would not know about it. Kind of like the check he gets from CNU made out to his wife. How did she come about the job at CNU. Not hard to connect the dots.

[Tom]

Phil Hamilton is as corrupt as they come. I have been a neighbor of his for a long time. The sad thing is that this corruption seems to be the way of business for politicians. Would I hang our with Phil, of course he's a fun guy, do I want him representing me and handeling the city's needs, heck no. Still waiting for someone to bring up the fact he has a $30,000 a year countryclub membership to James River Country club that he was able to convince the board to put the membership in his wife's name so that his constituents would not know about it. Kind of like the check he gets from CNU made out to his wife. How did she come about the job at CNU. Not hard to connect the dots. Sad thing is that I like Phil and his family, but with all the current problems government is trying to solve, corruption has no place, not even for a friend.

[Enon O. Moose]

The problem is, its not just Hamilton. Glenn Oder is as shifty as Hamilton. Oder likes to brag that he is "fighting" the payday lenders. Yet it was Oder who voted YES on HB940 in 2002 that let Payday lenders into Virginia. And Oder has taken thousands in campaign contributions from the payday lenders over the years! Oder also wants credit for "abolishing" the HRTA. Yet he was the one who voted YES on HB3020 to create it. What a phony, two faced politician. If the party faithful are going to line up, like lemmings and support these crooks, then they have no one to blame but themselves, when people shun and avoid republicans. You can't be faithful to two-faced liars and frauds. It doesn't work both ways!

[Tom]

He's back on the list http://www.rpv.org/candidates/
but maybe the voters will make sure he's not there for the official roll call in Jan.

[t]

What a novel concept. His constituents get to determine who they want to represent them.

[GOP SUX]

Diamonstein is a disgrace. Prostituting himself to get a Page position with the DPVA and go to the national convention in Denver only to stick his stiletto into "fellow" Democrats back.

Who, I wonder, was the bright and engaged young man or woman whose spot Diamonstein stole with his claim of being a Democrat? Shame on you, shame shame shame!

[Brenda Tagge]

Those who are quick to shun others had better watch their own backs. Transparency is generally a good thing, except when you are making sausage, and sadly, that is what legislation often is.
Who lost out in this matter and who gained from it? In the balance, however regrettable the mistake, is the reaction appropriate for the offense, or is this about settling old scores?

[Hugh Lessig]

Thanks for the post, David. Good eye.

[David]

It should be noted that this list also does not include Catherine Crabill (99th district), who has been shunned by Republican leaders.