Norfolk candidate’s flyer touts false endorsement
A political flyer from a candidate running for an open state delegate in east Norfolk appears designed to suggest Rick James has gotten a nod from Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander.
But Alexander says he isn’t backing anyone in the race.
The flyer touts endorsements from “Democratic leaders” and features a photo of a smiling Alexander, though small print beneath his name says “Family.”
The mayor and James’ opponent, Angelia Williams Graves, both said the mailing was misleading. In a phone interview Monday, James declined to address that allegation.
“When I began this campaign, I promised to keep this campaign about the issues,” James said. “The Alexander family are great friends of mine and I really appreciate their support, and that’s all I want to say about it.”
He acknowledged the mayor has not given him his endorsement, but wouldn’t say who is. James had similarly listed Alexander’s family in a press release sent to The Virginian-Pilot earlier this month.
“I have not made an endorsement in this race,” Alexander posted on Facebook on Friday. “And contrary to what is portrayed on a flier authorized by Rick James for Delegate, I have not endorsed and will not be endorsing Richard ‘Rick’ James.”
Graves issued a press release the next day to denounce the “deceptive use” of Alexander’s image and its implied endorsement.
“This is unexpected and I hope that my opponent will issue a very public apology to Mayor Alexander and the voters who received this mailer,” Graves wrote. “The truth matters. For four years the Democratic Party has been calling out President
Trump and other Republican leaders to tell the truth. It is clear that the Mayor understands that, and quickly responded to clear up the matter.
“Wecannot ourselves start blurring the lines and not be totally forthcoming to voters. I hope that this is an isolated incident and that any further communication to voters will be truthful.”
The flyer also lists endorsements from Norfolk Sheriff Joe Baron, Norfolk Councilman Paul Riddick and state Sen. Lionell Spruill, Sr., D-Chesapeake, who all confirmed their backing. Attempts by The Pilot to reach a fifth listed supporter, Ada Blair — who sits on the Norfolk Criminal Justice Board — were unsuccessful.
James refused when asked multiple times to identify the members of Alexander’s family who he said have endorsed him.
“That’s not important. What’s important is what the citizens want me to talk about: COVID-19 and how it’s affecting them today. The fact that they’ve lost their jobs. They want me to talk about the fact that they’re not getting unemployment.”