Morrissey breaks with Democrats, backs GOP’s John Reid for lieutenant governor
Former state senator joins newly formed “Democrats for John Reid” coalition, citing Ghazala Hashmi’s partisanship but reaffirming support for Spanberger and Jones
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John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, on Tuesday launched Democrats for John Reid, a coalition of Virginia Democrats publicly lining up behind his candidacy — a twist that promises to sharpen contrasts with his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Richmond.
One of the most prominent defectors in the new group is former state Sen. Joe Morrissey, a Democrat whose career has long been marked by clashes with his own party.
“Virginians know that our commonwealth works best when we work together,” Reid said in a statement. “I am proud to have the support of Democrats who are standing up for common sense and for a government that is accountable to the people; not the political class in Richmond. Together, we’re building a broad coalition to move Virginia forward.”
The coalition is chaired by former International President of B’nai B’rith Tommy Baer, and includes a number of Richmond community leaders, working professionals, and former Democratic officials such as Kimberly Gray, Alexander Benedict McMurtrie Jr., Ajay Brewer and Christopher Woody.
Reid’s campaign said these individuals are “putting people over politics” in supporting the Republican’s promise to be a check on Richmond’s political class and to focus on common sense solutions.
But it is Morrissey’s break that stands out.
In an interview with The Mercury on Tuesday, he explained the reasons he will support Reid rather than Hashmi, citing personal experience serving with her in the Senate and disagreement over what he views as partisanship in her actions and policy positions.
Among his complaints are that Hashmi “was strictly partisan, and did not do what was best, what I thought, for the commonwealth.”
He contrasted that with Reid, saying he believes Reid will do a “much better job for Virginians.” He praised Reid’s emphasis on measurable improvements in schools and his attention to infrastructure — areas in which Morrissey said Hashmi has not been as outspoken or action-oriented.
Morrissey left no ambiguity: “It doesn’t matter who the other Democrats are that are supporting John, but my own reasons are that I served with Ghazala in the Senate. I know her behavior, mannerisms, her voting record, and because of that, I’m supporting John Reid.”
He said he votes not for his party, but for what he thinks is best for Virginia — even under Democratic governors.
He also addressed the fact that Reid is the first openly gay candidate on a statewide ticket in the commonwealth, saying “The fact that he is gay is irrelevant to whether or not you’ll be a great leader for Virginia,” but added that Reid is more open to “all sides,” in contrast with Hashmi, whom Morrissey characterized as aligned with the “far left crowd in Virginia.”
Despite his rejection of Hashmi in this race, Morrissey made clear he continues to support other Democrats on the ticket: Abigail Spanberger for governor and Jay Jones for attorney general.
Morrissey’s long history in Virginia politics is well documented. He represented the 16th district in the State Senate from 2020 to 2024, following several terms in the House of Delegates. He has often positioned himself as a maverick within the Democratic Party, sometimes allying with Republicans or breaking with Democratic caucus positions — actions that have earned him rebukes from fellow party members.
And in 2014, while serving in the House, he was convicted on a misdemeanor charge stemming from allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year old receptionist in his law office. He entered an Alford plea to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, resigned his seat, and served a brief jail sentence while continuing to campaign.
Despite the scandal, voters later returned him to the legislature, first re-electing him to the House and then to the state Senate.
Hashmi, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, is a state senator from Virginia’s 15th district. She won a crowded six-way primary in June. If elected in November, she would make history as Virginia’s first Asian-American and Muslim statewide officeholder. Her campaign has emphasized her background as an educator, her record in the Senate on health, housing, education, and her work as chair of education and health committees.
Reid’s campaign is likely to use the newly formed Democratic coalition not just to highlight Democratic defections, but as proof of broader appeal beyond traditional Republican bases.
Baer, the coalition’s chair, said in a statement, “This is no longer the party of John F. Kennedy or even Bill Clinton. It has moved to the extremes, and I can’t help but feel the party has left me. John Reid represents common-sense. His policies are designed to address the problems confronting the working class … he is pro-law enforcement … he will represent all the citizens … whether they be Christian, Jew, Muslim, or whatever walk of life they may come from.”
Whether Morrissey’s criticism of Hashmi for being “strictly partisan” will resonate with moderate Democrats, independents, or swing voters remains to be seen. As the campaign heads into fall, Reid’s new coalition and Morrissey’s outspoken defection add another layer of complexity to what already is a closely watched race.
Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com.
