City Republicans are hoping that recent developments in Charlottesville politics, including the removal of former City Republican Committee Chairman Dale McGlothlin and his arrest for assault a few hours later, will not affect their chances in the upcoming City Council elections.
The volatile events within the City Republican Party occurred at last Wednesday night's City Republican Party meeting.
At the meeting, Michael Crafaik's supporters, who held a majority, voted to remove McGlothlin as chairman and replace him with Crafaik.
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Later that evening, at 10 p.m. at the West Water Street Mono Loco restaurant, McGlothlin exchanged words with Crafaik and pushed him in the chest, according to Charlottesville Police Sgt. F.G. Upman.
Thursday evening, McGlothlin turned himself into police and was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery. If convicted he could face up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
McGlothlin declined to comment on the charges.
University Engineering Prof. John Pfaltz, one of three Republican candidates for the City Council election, said these incidents will not make much difference for him and the other two candidates.
"Apparently, Crafaik and McGlothlin have been at each other for years now," Pfaltz said.
Assoc. Architecture Dean Elizabeth Fortune, another Republican candidate for City Council, said she agrees with Pfaltz that the ouster and arrest will have little effect on the race.
"I certainly think it is embarrassing, but it should not have an effect on the campaign," Fortune said.
Two years ago, Crafaik, a City Council candidate in 1996 and 1998, first attempted to gain the post McGlothlin has held since 1996, but the Republican Party of Virginia rejected his attempt.
The state party declared the petition to unseat McGlothlin improperly worded.
But Pfaltz said he found a letter the Democratic Party of Charlottesville sent to city residents more troubling to him and his fellow Republican candidates than the change in Party leadership and McGlothlin's arrest.
The letters, which arrived in Charlottesville mailboxes last Saturday, request aid from Charlottesville citizens to raise $25,000 for their campaign.
"The Democrats are up against their first real opposition and now they are running scared," Pfaltz said. Since 1990, Democrats have filled all City Council seats.
Incumbent Vice Mayor Meredith Richards, a Democrat, said her party is taking the Republican candidates seriously.
"There are very credible Republican candidates who cannot be counted out," Richards said.
She said the Democrats raise about $20,000 on average every election.
But Fortune, a Republican candidate, said money does not always ensure political success.
"In 1996, Oliver North outspent Sen. Charles Robb by $15 million and still lost," Fortune said.
Pfaltz also cites the "well-organized machine" of the City Democrats as another disadvantage to the Republican candidates.
Richards said the City Democrats use a precinct-level campaign in which each precinct is led by a chairman who, along with volunteers, "gets out the vote" for the Democratic candidates.
Despite the strong opposition, Pfaltz said he is optimistic about Republicans earning at least one Council slot.
"I think we have a good shot of electing at least two Republicans this year," he said.
Crafaik owns Michael's Bistro on the Corner.
City Council elections take place May 2.
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