Richmond, Virginia mayor race: Sex scandals, comebacks, party clash

RICHMOND, Va. – The potential next mayor of Virginia's capital city is also its most colorful politician, a man who made national news for winning re-election as a state lawmaker while spending nights in jail because of a sex scandal. 

Two years ago, Joe Morrissey pleaded guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor after prosecutors accused him of having sex with a 17-year-old girl.

Now he's the front-runner in Richmond's mayoral election while embroiled in another sex-tinged scandal, this time battling last-minute allegations that he exposed himself to a legal client and sent her lewd text messages. 

Polls have shown Morrissey leading a crowded field.   Morrissey said his resilience is part of why he's so popular with much of Richmond and so unpopular with the city's elites.