RICHMOND — The wife of state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey (D-Richmond) alleges in divorce papers that he physically and emotionally abused her, had numerous affairs and fathered children with another woman during their marriage — charges that Morrissey says are “absolutely false.”
Myrna Morrissey filed her complaint in Henrico County Circuit Court on May 18, seeking an end to a nearly seven-year marriage that has, for better or worse, largely defined Joseph Morrissey’s career in public office during that time.
Facing election this fall to retain his seat in the Senate, the scandal-plagued Morrissey has emphasized his children and family life as he battles with former delegate Lashrecse Aird (D-Petersburg) in a primary contest in a heavily Democratic district. The divorce and its allegations could be especially painful at a time when some fellow Democratic senators have already endorsed Aird, saying they’re concerned Morrissey might side with Republicans seeking to impose a 15-week ban on abortion.
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Democrats are defending a razor-thin majority in the Senate; Morrissey has signaled a willingness to consider abortion restrictions, including serving as co-patron of a 2022 bill that would have set a ban after 20 weeks.
Morrissey and his wife have been separated for some time, though at least one of his campaign billboards depicts them together with their children.
“I love her very much,” he said in a brief interview. “It breaks my heart that she would make these...
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