New Clinton campaign emails show that there was communication with top ally and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe on his plan to let 206,000 felons vote in the fall election, a move GOP officials said was aimed at guaranteeing Hillary Clinton the purple state.
“Would be great to connect with someone on your great announcement announcement today,” Clinton policy advisor Corey Ciorciari emailed to a McAuliffe aide.
Another Clinton aide and former McAuliffe aide, Brynne Craig, wrote, “I’m so sorry that I’m just responding — my personal email has taken a hit these days.” She added: “I am including Corey Ciorciari who actually has a few questions about TRM’s great announcement today restoring the right to vote to 206,000 Virginians.”
Studies have shown that felons typically vote Democratic.
The emails were delivered to Republican State Sen. Bryce Reeves who sought them under the Freedom of Information Act. In his letter seeking the info, he suggested a Clinton-McAuliffe coordination.
Their release to Secrets Wednesday came just days after the Richmond Times-Dispatch revealed the McAuliffe’s team also worked in advance with state progressive groups to promote his executive action. The move shocked state elections officials.
In his letter back, McAuliffe counsel Carlos Hopkins said there was no hanky panky.
“I understand that your concerns are based on reports from constituents and the media that the governor’s actions were taken simply to garner support for Secretary Clinton ‘from felons, including sex offenders ‘too dangerous to release.’ Such reports are false,” he wrote.
Hopkins also said that the move to let felons vote was aimed at helping blacks gain rights. “Sending a more inclusive message is particularly more meaningful in light of the fact that 38 other states restore felons’ rights using the same or even less restrictive criteria,” he added.
The emails, however, only raised more questions, said Reeves. In a statement, his office said:
“The records attached from the Reeves FOIA request show immediate inquiry from the Clinton Presidential campaign– and like so much of the Clinton written history– mentions the use of ‘personal email’ addresses. On Friday, April 22nd, a staffer states in the first email, ‘I’m so sorry I’m just responding– my personal email has taken a hit these days.’ That line causes speculation that there could have been more correspondence before April 22, 2016 on the subject.”
Reeves said, “All of this information indicates that there is a cozy and suspect relationship on this issue between the governor and Hillary Clinton. This raises questions as to whose interest the governor is looking out for here – the people of Virginia, or Hillary Clinton?”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
