Sen. Amanda Chase expelled from Chesterfield GOP

CHESTERFIELD, Va. (WWBT) - Virginia Senator Amanda Chase is speaking out after the Chesterfield GOP expelled her from membership on Monday.

The Chesterfield County Republican Committee sent Chase (R - Midlothian) a letter Monday saying since she has supported the campaign of an opponent of the Republican nominee for Sheriff, she is in violation of the Committee rules.

The letter says quote, “We are disappointed that you have chosen not to take the required remedial actions outlined in our letter sent last Friday, September 27 which notified you of the provisions of the Party Plan that trigger the automatic loss of your membership unless you disavowed the use of your name in support of, and ceased your in-kind contribution to, a candidate running against our Republican nominee for Sheriff.”

Chase says this stems from her sharing the endorsement of Independent Sheriff’s candidate Rahn Kersey on her campaign Facebook page, and not endorsing Republican candidate Sheriff Karl Leonard.

Both Chase and Leonard say this goes back to a dispute between them over a situation Chase had with a Capitol Police officer earlier this year.

“I would never curse out or berate a police officer. I would not do that. There was a disagreement between myself and an officer, we were the only two people there,” Chase said, recalling the dispute over parking access.

“I’m the Republican nominee, he’s the Republican nominee. We’re supposed to support our Republican nominees and he did not and he didn’t even come to me and say, ‘What happened? What’s your side?’ He took advantage of that situation to not support my re-election,” said Chase.

Sheriff Leonard told NBC12 by phone that he could not support her campaign until she publicly apologized for how she treated the Capitol Police officer.

Chase did issue a written apology in April for “losing her cool.”

Leonard also disputes a statement Chase made that he supports Chesterfield being a sanctuary city. He says Chesterfield has never has been a sanctuary city.

The Chesterfield County Republican Committee declined to comment. Chase says as a candidate, she cannot take down the post since it was shared on her campaign Facebook page.

Chase faces Democrat Amanda Pohl on November 5.

Copyright 2019 WWBT. All rights reserved.

Submit a news tip.