“They should do what they think they should do,” he said Tuesday. “I’m not worried about that, I worry about things that only I can control, and only I can control my ability to express to the voters what I have done over the past 7½ years.”

Sullivan, the Democratic nominee, said he was not bothered by Morrissey’s independent bid.

“I welcome other people to be part of the process,” he said. “I just run as a Democrat, and I encourage my Democrat voters and constituents to come out to vote. I can’t be concerned by what Joe Morrissey might or might not do. I have to be concerned, in a special election, to get my voters to the polls.”

Morrissey, who was sentenced to 12 months in jail with six months suspended, will mount his re-election bid from his jail cell and his law office, per the conditions of his work release program.

UMW’s Farnsworth said these unusual circumstances will limit his ability to campaign.

“Evenings are the best time to campaign,” Farnsworth said. “And presuming the other candidates don’t want to have a debate inside the jail, Morrissey may not be participating in any debates.”

On the day of the special election, it will boil down to turnout, Farnsworth said.