The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Del. Paula J. Miller, D-Norfolk, held on to her 87th House District seat Tuesday in a battle against Republican John N. Amiral.
"I think the voters of the 87th District chose good government and rejected negative campaigning," Miller said.
Tuesday night, Amiral said he was the true winner of the election but lost it because of his opponent's last-minute campaigning tactics at the polls.
During the campaign, Miller and Amiral had questioned each other's background and resume.
Among other things, Miller pointed out that Amiral changed his name this year, and Amiral asked why Miller was hired recently to work as a spokeswoman for the Norfolk Sheriff's Office when it had a media contact person on staff.
Miller, who is 50, has been delegate of the 87th District since 2005. She had been spokeswoman for the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office until this summer, when she was hired to fill a similar role for the Norfolk Sheriff's Office.
On the campaign trail, Miller promoted building a hurricane evacuation route, creating jobs and attracting high-quality teachers with more competitive pay.
Amiral, 32, had never before run for office. He was born in Azerbaijan and joined the U.S. Navy as a reservist in 2002. He has since served as an active-duty commissioned officer. This year,
he transferred to the Reserve and became owner of a tax and linguistic service.
Amiral promoted tax incentives to help prompt business expansion, investing
in transportation infrastructure and offering tax exemptions on the first $30,000 of the incomes of firefighters, public school teachers and police officers.
Cheryl Ross, (757) 446-2443, cheryl.ross@pilotonline.com
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You are surprised that Paula
You are surprised that Paula Miller is a Democrat. YOU are the type that shouldnt be voting in the first place. Do your homework before the election if you must. Guy's, John Amaril came out of the blue thinking he was entitled to be the 87th delegate. He never attended a civic league meeting in his life, joined a local church, attended a city council meeting, met with residents, owned property, paid property taxes, had a business for more than 6 months, registered to vote in Virginia, but feels qualified to go to Richmond in our best interest? The writer from the VP did the residents of the 87th a disservice by not investigating Mr. Amaril and reporting her findings to the citizens. How can someone renting an apartment in East Beach afford the $180,000 he spent on his campaign? Investigate his financial records. The local Republican Party distanced themselves from this guy because they didnt know him. He tried to play the voters of the 87th and it failed. Oh, by the way John, that press release to the VP reminded me of the Dewey/Truman Chicago Tribune in 1948 except that they got the candidate wrong, you got the city wrong, you ran in Norfolk NOT Virgina Beach
you assume much
Since I am not eligible to vote in her district there is not much reason for me to research her. My surprise comes from outside of the political realm.
poll tactics
The Virginian Pilot only reports on questionable poll place tactics that are reportedly perpetrated by Conservatives or Republicans. When's the last time the VP has reported on the Black Panther thugs that were intimidating Philadelphia voters in the 2008 elections?
disappointed
I was disappointed to find out Miller is a Democrat. If you associate yourself with the party of Obama, Pelosi and Reid, ?????
I see her in a whole different light now.
Another close one for Paula
Congratulations Paula. You have earned another term in Richmond to go with your pay at the sheriffs office. Nice double dip!
"I think the voters of the 87th District chose good government and rejected negative campaigning," Miller said." That's called spin. She went NEGATIVE herself!
"On the campaign trail, Miller promoted building a hurricane evacuation route, creating jobs and attracting high-quality teachers with more competitive pay.'
Someone needs to tell Paula we already have hurricane evacuation routes. We also never heard specifics about job creation and teachers pay too. Pie in the sky promises. Would you raise taxes to pay for roads Paula? No real answer there too.
With Paula it's two more years of feckless representation headed our way.
Get ready for bills on metal baseball bats and stop signs for schools. Oh, and don't forget more BIG funding for her boss the sheriff through her committee in the legislature.
So, congratulations Paula. You and your husband can live off the taxpayers for several more years to come. The voters in the 87th get what they voted for and that is the Norfolk sheriffs bidder in the next legislature.
"The more laws and o
Clarify Last Minute Tactics
What is John Amiril suggesting? I wished the reporter would have pressed for more details, I would like to know how you can win an election but lose it because of last minute tactics.