Congratulations Congressman-Elect Nye!!!

By: Lowell
Published On: 11/5/2008 6:28:09 AM

She defeated David Ashe. She defeated Phil Kellam. But Rep. Thelma Drake (R-2nd) could not defeat this guy!

After a battle that lasted well into Wednesday morning, former foreign service officer Glenn Nye (D) has been declared the winner in Virginia's battleground 2nd district.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Nye held a 52 to 48 lead over Rep. Thelma Drake (R) in the Hampton Roads-based district.

Back in December 2007, I asked right here on RK, "Will Anyone Take on Thelma Drake?"  The answer at the time included two possibilities: Jody Wagner and "[a] relatively unknown young Democrat named Glenn Nye."  Ha, well, that "relatively unknown young Democrat named Glenn Nye" is now Congressman-elect Glenn Nye, and I couldn't be happier or more excited than if a first-term African-American Senator just got elected President of the United States.  Oh wait.  Ha. :)

Anyway, congratulations to Congressman-elect Glenn Nye, who defeated a Bush rubber stamp named Thelma Drake and will bring a fresh, energetic, pragmatic approach to Washington, DC in January. Hopefully, Glenn will be there for many years to come, as the 2nd CD - and Virginia - change inexorably from "red" to "blue" - or at least a healthy shade of "purple!"

P.S. It looks like Democrats gained at least 16 House seats last night. This is not as high as many people had expected, but what's cool is that 3 of those 16 new representatives hail from Virginia! Congratulations to Congressmen-elect Gerry Connolly, Glenn Nye and Tom Perriello.

UPDATE: Here are my first impressions of Glenn Nye, after meeting him at the Virginia JJ Dinner on February 9.

Nye is very sharp, articulate, and impressive.  Among other things, Nye is a foreign policy realist who believes we need to significantly reduce our military presence in Iraq and get off of Middle East oil.  Also, Nye agrees that we need to deal forcefully with global warming and protect a woman's right to choose. He is determined to get Thelma Drake the heck out of Congress. Go Glenn!

Today, 10 months later, Glenn's determination to "get Thelma Drake the heck out of Congress" paid off big time. Just proving, once again, that you've got to believe, you can't just say "so-and-so could never beat so-and-so."  Yeah, and how many people thought some "skinny guy with a funny name" could become the first African American elected president of the United States?  How many people thought that anyone could defeat Virgil Goode, especially someone as progressive as Tom Perriello?  So much for THOSE theories! :)


Comments



Congratulations Glenn.... (Greg - 11/5/2008 6:31:02 AM)
We've got a lot to do come January 2009... I'm confident you're up to the challenge...


And congratulations to Greg for being one (Lowell - 11/5/2008 6:33:42 AM)
of the first people to really push for a Glenn Nye candidacy. For those of you that aren't aware, Greg was also one of the key figures in helping to draft James Webb, and I thank him for bringing the name of this guy I never heard of - Glenn Nye - to my attention last December.  Thank you, Greg, and congratulations again to Congressman-elect Glenn Nye! :)


Oh, wow! (Great Blue - 11/5/2008 6:35:20 AM)
This is sweet.


I'm so glad my district... (mikeporter - 11/5/2008 7:52:07 AM)
finally got rid of Thelma Drake.  I know Glenn Nye will do us right in the same fashion Jim Webb has served us as Senator.  I'm sure Senator-elect Mark Warner will do a great job too.  Since Obama won Virginia it just goes to show anything is possible in our state. HOORAY!!!


Best night EVER!!! (proudvadem - 11/5/2008 10:11:46 AM)
 I've been choked up since I got the news! Glenn has worked so hard for this and I can't think of anyone who deserves this more. Thank you to everyone who helped this great candidate along the way. I have never been so proud to have given time and $$ to any candidate!

And mad props to Rick Fromberg and Glenn's staff- GREAT job!!!

I have a new Congressman now: CONGRESSMAN NYE...WOW, it feels so good to say that out loud!



Thank You, Virginia (Johnny Longtorso - 11/5/2008 11:10:20 AM)
For getting rid of the embarrassment that is Thelma Drake.


Thelma who? (Dan - 11/5/2008 12:33:16 PM)
Who is this Thelma you speak of?  Well, whoever she was, we shall no longer speak her name!

Congrats to Glenn Nye!  

I called this race a toss-up a while back, and some doubted that assumption.  I think we are all pleased I was correct.  A tough race that wasn't called until this morning, but oh what a feeling to have an ethical, responsible leader like Glenn Nye in Congress!



I'm utterly shocked (DanG - 11/5/2008 1:39:56 PM)
Pleased, of course.  Just shocked.  I never thought Glenn could do it.  But I'm gonna be the first onboard the re-elect Nye campaign!


A question. (Great Blue - 11/5/2008 2:43:44 PM)
Is there some reason that the State Board of Elections hasn't posted the final results on its website?  It's been stuck at 4:47 a.m. all day.

The only precincts still outstanding are the absentee ballots from Norfolk and Virginia Beach.  A lot of those votes were absentee in person, which were on regular voting machines, not paper ballots.

What the heck is taking so long?



No on machines (Vivian J. Paige - 11/5/2008 5:58:55 PM)
I voted in person absentee in Norfolk. It is done by paper ballots, not on the machines.


The Pilot was reporting... (Lawyer Mama - 11/6/2008 12:07:51 AM)
there were 27,000 absentee ballots to count, only 3000 left now but that they called off the count at 5pm today & will resume counting at 10am.

Thelma, of course, won't concede because she is a sore loser.  Why am I not surprised about that?

And now I hope never to have to type her name again!



Anyone want to take bets on when she will concede? (proudvadem - 11/6/2008 9:57:45 AM)
I'm thinking never...

Poor thing, she'll have a tough time selling housing in the market.