Jamaican, Republican, Lieutenant loses bid for Governor of Virginia

Muted by cheers for the blue wave gubernatorial north/south victories in the Garden State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with jubilation from results of a West Coast proposition, the defeat of a former New York governor in the mayoral race here and unprecedented voter turnout throughout the nation, significant footnotes to some conquests were ignored on the first Tuesday of the month.

Undoubtedly, a glaring oversight diminished Abigail Spanberger’s superlative gain when she re-painted a blue hue across the southern state.

Although her feat was reported, the fact that the Democrat garnered a whopping 57.2 % of the votes to trounce rival Republican Winsome Earle Sears should have been breaking news, in addition to her double-digit,  15-point margin.

The fact is that while Sears managed to garner only 42.6%, Caribbean readers will recall Sears’ braggadocio when she championed the lieutenant position.

Sears is a native born Jamaican.

She made that clear three years ago when she was elected second in command to run the state.

Her election established a history-making role, being the first Black person to serve in Virginia’s state house.

As a matter of fact, after winning the coveted seat, Sears flaunted mettle in photos displaying proficiency with a semi-automatic weapon.

The graphic image affirmed her capacity but also punctuated her opinion on gun ownership.

Memorable and indelible, the victory pose might have been fomented from a three-year stint she served in the Marine Corps.

With the election, Sears regularly confirmed loyalty to upholding Republican viewpoints, particularly those espoused by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Now term-limited from the lofty state position he helmed, Youngkin will vacate his seat at the end of the year.

Therefore, the assumption was that Sears would continue the leadership Youngkin initiated.

It was not to be.

From early in the evening, Democrat Spanberger surged ahead of the best choice of the Republican Party.

Throughout the reports, county figures gradually advanced a lead in numbers, resulting in an early prediction of a winner.

The choice was clear: Sears, the incumbent lieutenant gubernatorial hopeful, was the biggest loser.

Similarly, a less-touted under-reported triumph downplayed the victory of Lieutenant Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi.

Hashmi, a Muslim made history by replacing Sears.

The first to be elected to the prominent position, on the very same date, Zohran Mamdani beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo; Hashmi prevailed in Virginia despite overwhelming challenges.

First elected to the state senate in 2019, Hashmi is the first Indian-American and Muslim to win the lieutenant seat.

 

Tragedy befalls Jamaica’s Consul General Wilson

 

Once again, another consular general from Jamaica has succumbed to cancer.

As news of a tragic occurrence filtered throughout the diaspora about the passing of Alsion Wilson at her home in New York, the devastating report confirmed the debilitating circumstance she had been facing throughout the summer.

Wilson died on Saturday, Nov. 8.

The public servant took office in the summer of 2019.

Establishing her own presence, she quickly revamped the Manhattan surroundings and invited diasporans to help in transforming the space.

As Consul General, she secured participation for annual Thanksgiving services, borough-wide flag-raising ceremonies, and gala independence commemorations, as well as tended to the needs of Jamaican nationals residing throughout the diaspora.

Reportedly, she was recently conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander by the Government of Jamaica.

An official statement claims she is mourned by her husband, Omar, and children, Brian and Vanessa, as well as other family members.

The diaspora extends its most profound gratitude for her relentless contributions to duty and, in addition, sends condolences to her family.

Details of her home going are pending.

Unfortunately, the tragedy is reminiscent of another departure when CG Kaye Baxter Collins exited the patriotic post.

 

Grammy announces double-header for Bad Bunny

 

The Grammy contenders for next year were announced last week.

Kendrick Lamar, last year’s Super Bowl halftime attraction, led the field of musical achievers by cornering nine nominations.

Along with Lady Gaga, Lamar captured the lion’s share of the 95 categories contest.

He was nominated in the Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance (2), Album of the Year, Best Melodic Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Album categories.

A telecast for the Feb. 1 gala also named three-time Puerto Rican Grammy winner Bad Bunny with six nods.

Already, the decided Spanish-language entertainer, billed for next year’s football mega outing on Feb. 8, is destined for head-to-head contests against last year’s performer in the record of the year and song of the year categories.

The controversial choice booked to entertain sports fans is also up for more Grammys, with majority votes in the Best Música Urbana Album, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Album Cover fields.

Among other achievers from the Caribbean region, a singular Reggae Album category pits Jesse Royal, Lila Ike, Vybz Kartel, Mortimer, and Keznamdi against each other for the 2026 contention.

Cuba also competes with the Buena Vista Social Club in the Best Musical Theater Album category.

Surprisingly, a memoir by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has made the list of finalists for the nomination.

A win could boost her favorability if she out-talks the Dalai Lama, Fab Morvan (former half of the duo Milli Vanilli), comedian Trevor Noah, and Kathy Garver for the Grammy award in the best audio, narration & storytelling recording category.

 

Catch you on the Inside!