Election drawing delayed in Virginia House race Tearful goodbye
RICHMOND, Va. — A race that could tip control of Virginia’s House of Delegates took one more twist Tuesday when a drawing to break a tie was unexpectedly postponed.
The Virginia State Board of Elections announced it would delay its drawing of lots, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, after receiving a letter from lawyers for the Democratic candidate, Shelly Simonds, informing the board that she is legally fighting the ruling of a recount court last week.
Republicans cling to a 51-49 edge in the House, but a Simonds victory over Republican incumbent David Yancey in House District 94 would force a bipartisan power-sharing arrangement.
The race was to be determined by picking out of a bowl one of two film canisters with the candidates’ names inside.
Seven weeks ago, voters chose Yancey, by 10 votes. But in a recount last week, Simonds emerged one vote ahead. Then, in a reversal the next day, a three-judge court reviewing the recount chose to include a questionable ballot for Yancey. The election was deadlocked: 11,608 votes each.
Simonds’ lawyers said the ballot had been thrown out in the recount for good cause and should never have been reconsidered. It shows that a voter filled in bubbles for both Yancey and Simonds, then drew a faint line through the Simonds vote. with police.
Maricopa County Superior Court records filed Tuesday show Anthony Milan Ross, 45, was also charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault and assault against a police officer in the Monday afternoon mayhem.
Police responding to a report of gunfire arrived at a Phoenix apartment complex to find the body of Ross’ estranged wife, 38-year-old Iris Ross, outside. Officers later found the bodies of their 11-year-old son, Nigel Ross, and their 10-month-old daughter, Anora Ross, inside the apartment where the father had barricaded himself.
Several hours later, Ross began shooting at officers. After a brief gunbattle, he was taken into custody.
Ross was not hurt, but one officer was injured by shrapnel and taken to a hospital.
Police did not give a motive for the shooting.