In what some are calling a “truth is stranger than fiction moment,” a twice-disbarred attorney and Virginia state lawmaker who was incarcerated for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and later marrying his 17-year-old victim will run in a special election for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Federal Election Commission papers filed Tuesday note that Joe Morrissey has formally entered the race to replace Rep. Don McEachin, who passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 28.
The Daily Wire noted that some analysts believe Morrissey’s election bid will hurt Democrats in a state that has “battled the perception that they are soft on the sexualization of children, following controversies including the Loudoun County school rape [and coverup] and efforts to bring graphic sex education to young schoolkids.”
NBC-12 reported that in 2014, Morrissey was charged with four felonies, including supervisory indecent liberties with a minor, electronic solicitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. A plea deal reduced charges to one misdemeanor and Morrissey serving six months in jail.
Also notable in Morrissey’s portfolio is that as a state Senator in 2020, he was a co-sponsor of a bill that redefined the term “abused or neglected child,” which could have led to parents losing custody of their children if they did not “affirm” their transgender identities.
Critical of Morrissey’s announced desire to represent the state at the federal level, David Gordon, a Republican political consultant and founder of the Virginia Project, said the prospect of Morrissey receiving a promotion shows that “child exploitation is not an obstacle for Democrats.”
Gordon told The Daily Wire: “Given his history, I was very surprised to see him double down on the sexual exploitation of children by co-sponsoring the notorious Guzman child abduction bill.”
Democratic Party leaders will coordinate a “firehouse primary” on Dec. 20 to fill the position left open by McEachin. The winner of the special primary will face a Republican challenger in a special election scheduled for Feb. 21.
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