RPV Chairman Pat Mullins’ partisan retort is not helpful in search for ethics reform

No sooner had Governor Terry McAuliffe announced a bipartisan committee on ethics reform to be headed up by former Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and former Democratic Congressman Rich Boucher than the Republican Party of Virginia’s Chairman Pat Mullins came out with a snarky response....  (Continue reading here)

Dinner with Congressman Eric Cantor and the 7th District Republicans

Majority Leader Eric Cantor and his wife, Diana, whose birthday is this weekend. We serenaded her at dinner to celebrate her special day.

We ate ... and then the Congressman ate. After greeting everyone at every table, he finally got a plate of food and sat down to eat.

The Republican women were photo-bombed by Davis.  :)

Jennifer and Linwood Cobb, Susan Allen, Eric and Diana Cantor.

Some of my favorite young Republicans were at this table. Some of them I've known and worked with since they were CRs.

Speaker Bill Howell

Our dessert was delicious. We were told it was triple chocolate red velvet raspberry cake. It was scrumptious.

 

The Cantors always send everyone home after dinner with a gift. It was fun, it was great fellowship, and it was an opportunity to let the Congressman know how much we appreciate all his work in D.C. It was also an opportunity to thank Linwood for all his hard work as chairman of the 7th District which happens to be where my parents live. Congratulations to Chesterfield County Republican Committee Chairman Donald Williams for leading the #1 committee in the 7th District for 2013.

We missed Mike Thomas from the Chesterfield Committee -- feel better soon!

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 6, 2013

Lt. Governor Bolling congratulates Terry McAuliffe; urges GOP to look at its future

On Tuesday night, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling issued the following statement on the 2013 election results:

“The 2013 campaigns have come to an end, and the people of Virginia have chosen their leaders for the next four years. I congratulate Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam on their election victories, and stand ready to help them in any way I can as they prepare to lead Virginia.

“The outcome of the race for Attorney General has not yet been determined, so I will refrain from commenting on that race until the final results are known. However, I recognize Mark Obenshain and Mark Herring for participating in such a hard fought and competitive campaign.

“I also thank Ken Cuccinelli, Robert Sarvis and E.W. Jackson for their willingness to engage in the political process. Campaigns are never easy, and this campaign was particularly difficult. I hope they will take comfort knowing that they did their best, even though the outcome may not have been as they desired.

“I also congratulate all of the candidates who won election victories tonight in the Virginia House of Delegates. I am pleased that the House of Delegates will continue to have a strong Republican majority, under the capable leadership of Speaker Bill Howell. I know they will continue to do their part in making certain that Virginia takes a mainstream approach to governing.

“As a Republican, I am deeply disappointed that our party has lost control of our state's top two elected offices. There are clear lessons in these losses for the Republican Party. Going forward, we need to have an open and honest conversation about the future of our party and determine what we must do to reconnect with a more diverse voter base whose support is critical to political success in Virginia.

“Now that the campaigns have ended, we must all come together in support of our elected leaders and help them in their effort to build a better Virginia. Let that process begin.”

Tuesday's Primary: Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling backed 4 winners

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling released the following statement on Virginia Mainstream Project endorsed Republican Primary candidates:

“I want to congratulate the candidates endorsed by the Virginia Mainstream Project who won tonight's Republican primaries. The Virginia Mainstream Project was proud to have endorsed and provided financial support to these candidates:

House District 15 – Delegate Todd Gilbert
House District 28 – Speaker Bill Howell
House District 54 – Delegate Bobby Orrock
House District 85 – Scott Taylor

“The Virginia Mainstream Project chose to endorse these candidates because we know they will stand strong for the conservative values we believe in, while at the same time working with Republicans and Democrats to get things done in Richmond. They represent the type of mainstream conservative candidates we need to win elections and govern Virginia effectively.

“While I am pleased that these candidates won their primary campaigns, I was extremely disappointed that two very dedicated and effective public servants were defeated in tonight’s primaries. Delegate Beverly Sherwood and Delegate Joe May have served the Commonwealth in an exemplary manner. They have always put Virginia first, and I was proud to stand with them in their campaigns. I wish them both all the best in their future endeavors, and I hope they will continue looking for ways to serve Virginia.”

The Lieutenant Governor's Virginia Mainstream Project also endorsed Delegate John Cosgrove's successful race in a firehouse primary in May.

Va House Speaker Howell congratulates Terry Austin win in 19th House District

From Virginia House Speaker Bill Howell's office....

RICHMOND, VA -- Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) congratulated Terry Austin on his victory Tuesday night in the firehouse primary in the 19th House of Delegates District.

"Congratulations to Terry and his campaign on a hard fought victory last night," said Howell. "And congratulations to all of the other candidates for running spirited campaigns.

"Terry is a great candidate and will be a strong member of the House of Delegates.

"I know Terry will work hard to create a positive, pro-growth business environment and protect Virginia's conservative values. He is the right choice for the people of the 19th House District and I look forward to him joining the House Republican Caucus this November."

Botetourt Supervisor Terry Austin wins 19th House District Firehouse Primary

Botetourt Supervisor Terry Austin won Tuesday's Republican Firehouse Primary for the seat being vacated by Delegate Lacey Putney who is retiring.

The Roanoke Times reported on the count:

Austin won 787 votes in all. Bedford County businessman Jim McKelvey won 576 votes. Zach Martin, a Bedford County businessman who was running for office for the first time, won 356 votes, and Eagle Rock pastor Zachary Hatcher won 51.

With a campaign that hit the ground running and had the support of most Botetourt Constitutional elected officials and others, Austin -- who has been on the board of supervisors for 16 years -- ran a positive, results-driven campaign even in the face of negative tea party opposition and multiple opponents. While the tea party slammed him as a tax hiker, voters saw him as a local leader who had consistently looked out for what was best for the citizens he was representing.

Strong thunderstorms crossed the area throughout the 6-9:00 pm voting period but turnout was extremely heavy:

About 65 people were lined up waiting to vote when the polls opened at the Thaxton Community Center, one of the three polling places for tonight’s vote. By 7:30 p.m., 291 people had voted. A total of 281 people had voted at the center by the time polls closed.

Austin had someone else in mind for the delegate position when Putney announced his retirement but, when that candidate decided not to run and no one else could be found on such short notice, he stepped in to run and offer another choice for voters who have grown weary of polarizing, negative politics.  Austin is a businessman whose company installs airport landing lights.

When talking with the Roanoke Times, Austin was happy with his win:

"This is wonderful," Austin said, as he was congratulated outside Lord Botetourt High School among a small crowd of supporters. "I never expected this kind of turnout under these weather conditions and everything. It's just magnificent."

Austin attributed his win to more than a decade and a half on the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and the "good friends" who supported his campaign.

"I've been on the board 16 years and, you know, tried to represent this county well," he said. "I think it's a reflection of that. I've got the trust and confidence of the people of Botetourt and I'm proud to say that."

Austin will run against the Democratic opponent in November.

UPDATE 5/8/13: Speaker of the House Bill Howell congratulates Terry Austin on his win.

PBS lists Virginia State Capitol as #1 of top 10 buildings that changed America

We're number one. We're number one. We're #1!

The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates had reason to be proud today as he announced that the Virginia State Capitol has been chosen by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) at the top of 10 influential buildings that changed America in the way we live, work, and play. Of course, we Virginians already knew that the architecturally appealing, historic capitol building that echoes with the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Madison, and James Monroe played a big part in the birth of America.

Speaker Howell said it best:

"Virginia's beautiful and historic State Capitol is a source of true pride for all Virginians. The Capitol is an architectural masterpiece, historical treasure and monument to Democracy. Its design has inspired numerous other capitol buildings, including the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. Its history and traditions are rivaled by few other single buildings in America. It is the foundation for modern Democracy and an enduring sign of the strength of our Commonwealth and our nation."

The one-hour show will air next Sunday, May 12, at 10 p.m. EST.

Virginia actually ended up with two buildings in the Top 10 list with the inclusion of Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.

The list of the Top 10 buildings that changed America:

1. Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia
2. Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts
3. Wainwright Building, St. Louis, Missouri
4. Robie House, Chicago, Illinois
5. Highland Park Ford Plant, Highland Park, Michigan
6. Southdale Center, Edina, Minnesota
7. Seagram Building, New York City
8. Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia
9. Vana Venturi House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California

The program is hosted by Geoffrey Baer, an Emmy Award-winning producer and program host, best known for his popular feature-length specials about Chicago architecture and history.  The program is written and produced by Dan Protess, who has been creating critically-acclaimed television programs for WTTW in Chicago for more than a decade.

Cantor, Bolling, Cuccinelli, Howell purged from local GOP committees

The Commonwealth's top cop has been kicked off his local Republican committee.

Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia's Attorney General, was purged from the membership after endorsing Republican-turned-Independent candidate Delegate Bill Janis who left the Party to run against the Republican nominee for Henrico commonwealth's attorney. At that time, Cuccinelli was quoted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Cuccinelli said political affiliation has little to do with decisions made by local leaders, nor should it get in the way of selecting, or endorsing, the best candidate in a race.

"I'm a Republican because I fit better there, but it's not the reason for my being, politically," he said.

Janis, a popular legislator who has served in House leadership for years and is the current Republican Whip, decided to run for commonwealth's attorney after the vetted Republican candidate, Matthew Geary, was deemed by some to be unsuitable for the position.

Cuccinelli was in good company with other top Virginia Republicans who had endorsed Janis and found themselves facing removal due to a Republican Party of Virginia bylaw. U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, and Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell were all purged from their Republican committees.

The way the bylaw reads, any other elected officials or Republican activists who endorse Janis can also be removed from their respective GOP committees.

That may be an issue for Lacey Putney, a long-time Independent who has caucused with Republicans for over 20 years, and who has found himself in a similar situation this year after Republicans put up a  contender against him. His colleagues and long-time supporters, some who hold leadership positions in the GOP and who have been donors to his campaign, have found themselves caught in the middle. Putney also faces a Democrat in that race so there is the question of whether Republicans may lose a seat that has been GOP-friendly for years.

The automatic removal rule can be reversed by local committees who need a two-thirds vote to reinstate ousted members. For Cantor, Bolling, Cuccinelli, and Howell, that may not come until after the elections.

Ironically, today is Bill Janis' birthday but some are hesitant to send him public birthday wishes because of the rule, wondering if it would be declared a "public endorsement" of an Independent.

Facebook discussion was lively Friday evening when news got out of the removals of  the four high-ranking Republican leaders. "This will probably happen to me one day," read one response. Another wrote, "Dear RPV: Please amend this rule to allow exceptions. It's a great rule in principle but the Janis race shows what happens when the wrong candidate is nominated and people must take stands of principle."

Someone else commented, "I think they need to get rid of that rule entirely. Many times there are candidates who just aren't trustworthy and to tell someone they have to vote against their interests or leave the party is just crazy."

Meanwhile, the news has traveled. Blogs -- those on the left and those on the right -- have picked up on the action as well as the Washington Post, UPI, Live Wire, and others, and news of the removals didn't escape Twitter.

Even the Dallas Morning News headlined it online along with the Toronto Star, and Roland Martin Reports. Others across the country reposted the Washington Post article including iStock Analyst, News in Politics, and Political News Network.

Virginia's elections will be held on November 8th.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift