Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate ... Roanoke stop on the campaign trail

 Ed Gillespie and Trixie Averill 

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ed Gillespie was in Roanoke Friday delivering remarks to about 65 Republicans who gathered at the Plantation on Sunnybrook to hear about his candidacy for the nomination at the state GOP convention that will be held on Saturday, June 6, in Roanoke. Many thanks to Trixie for organizing the lunch.

 Wendell Walker, 6th Congressional District Chair, and Roger Jarrell, Lexington-Rockbridge Unit Chair.

Fred Anderson, former 6th Congressional District chair (left).

Delegate Greg Habeeb with the beard he's growing until the budget impasse is resolved in Richmond.

Trixie Averill, Ed Gillespie, and Dr. Ed Lynch at lunch talking about cruises. Dr. Lynch teaches at Hollins College in Roanoke.

Fred Anderson offered the invocation.

Roger and Trixie

Tucker Davis with the Gillespie campaign in the 9th Congressional District.

Dan Webb with Congressman Bob Goodlatte's staff.

As Ed spoke, Trixie clicked and posted to Facebook. I did a bit of posting on Facebook, too, throughout the event.

Many familiar faces were there ... Molly and Larry Koon, Tucker Davis, Dr. Ed Lynch, Pete Larsen, Wendell Walker, Kathy Hayden, Roger Jarrell, Fred and Ann Anderson, Greg Habeeb, several elected officials, and many others.

The Plantation on Sunnybrook

Ed Gillespie is living the American dream. His father came to this country from Ireland because he found work here as a janitor. Ed grew up working in his parents’ grocery store. He went to college, is married, and has three children.

"I got to grow up to be Counselor to the President of the United States of America!" he said at Friday's lunch, and the words seemed incredulous to him even as he said them. After serving as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, he had been called to the White House during the administration of President George W. Bush.

Gillespie is a political consultant who has served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, worked with Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, worked with Dick Armey, Newt Gingrich, John Kasich, Elizabeth Dole, George Allen, and Bob McDonnell. He also worked with Karl Rove to get Republicans elected. Read more about his background here.

He highlighted issues and opportunities, noting that years ago he started out parking cars in the congressional garage in D.C. -- running now gives him the chance to go from the parking lot to the Senate floor in the Capitol. He emphasized he is interested in seeing policies that will make life better, that he wants to be a candidate for all Virginians, a servant for all Virginians.


Gillespie became chairman of RPV while I was on State Central Committee; he advised George W. Bush, Bob McDonnell, and other men that I have admired throughout the years. I like what he's done. His leadership has helped Republicans win ... he has advised elected Republicans ... he has been very effective at raising money. He has my vote.


Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 4, 2014

Calling Trixie Averill ... Saints to train at nearby Greenbrier

Trixie Averill ... Trixie Averill. Please pick up the white courtesy phone because YOUR NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ARE GOING TO TRAIN AT THE GREENBRIER!

THE GREENBRIER TO HOST THE 2014 TRAINING CAMP  
FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

White Sulphur Springs, WV - March 13, 2014:  The Greenbrier, the historic American resort in West Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, announced today that it will be the home of the 2014 Training Camp for the New Orleans Saints in late July and early August 2014.    The Greenbrier owner, Jim Justice, has committed to building three practice fields on property at the resort (two natural turf and one synthetic grass), along with a 55,000-square-foot multi-purpose building equipped with meeting rooms, weight rooms, locker rooms, training and physical therapy accommodations, and kitchen and dining facilities.  The Saints selected The Greenbrier for its location and mild weather, with summer temperatures in the low 80s.  The Greenbrier will provide the team with another environment conducive for learning, competing and getting ready for the regular NFL season.  All Saints players and staff will stay at the resort, enjoying the benefits of this world-class destination resort, spa and golf club. "We are very excited about this new opportunity with the New Orleans Saints, which will benefit all the people of West Virginia, bringing in tourism and new jobs," said Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier.  "I want to particularly thank West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, Senate President Kessler, Speaker of the House Miley, and all of the Legislature for their commitment in promoting tourism and tourism jobs."         For more information about springtime at The Greenbrier, please visit: www.greenbrier.com.    ABOUT THE GREENBRIER: Located in White Sulphur Springs in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, The Greenbrier has been welcoming guests since 1778. Known as "America's Resort," it encompasses more than 10,000 acres of undulating landscape that includes: five golf courses (including the exclusive Greenbrier Sporting Club's private course); a championship indoor and outdoor tennis facility (including five outdoor clay courts and five indoor courts); a mélange of sporting activities; shops; private homes at The Greenbrier Sporting Club; and, at its heart, a vast and imposing grand hotel. Purchased in 2009 by West Virginia entrepreneur James C. Justice II, The Greenbrier has undergone a $250+ million restoration and is now home to The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA TOUR, FedExCup event, and will soon launch The Greenbrier Medical Institute, a state-of-the-art medical complex on the resort's grounds.

Trixie and the Governor

Governor Bob McDonnell and Trixie Averill ... they've traveled hundreds of campaign miles together when she was his western Virginia political director and been friends for years. On Friday they met up in the state Capitol hallway outside the senate chamber. It was his last full day as governor of Virginia, a position Trixie worked to get him into four years ago. The photos say it all....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 10, 2014

6th Congressional District folks in Richmond ... 2014 General Assembly

 State Senator Emmett Hanger (R-24th) from Augusta County and Dr. Kurt Michael, former Augusta County Republican Committee chairman, spent time Friday afternoon talking about uniting the party and winning elections.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." --Galatians 6:9

 For Delegate Chris Saxman (R-20th House) of Staunton now lives in the Richmond area.

Kurt and I ran into State Senator Mark Obenshain (R-26th) of Harrisonburg in Capitol Square.

Former 6th Congressional District Chairman Fred Anderson and his wife Ann attended Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's official portrait unveiling and afterward at the reception for guests, family, and friends. I always teased Fred about his many hats (literally) ... Ann always is a picture of fashion perfection.

"Do the Bolling" ... the Lieutenant Governor and Kurt. They go back many years together to SWAC Breakfasts and then the 2005 primary when Kurt and his wife hosted the Bollings for a fundraiser at their Fishersville home (the LG relayed a humorous story about that night at Thursday's dinner in Short Pump). After winning the primary, we organized a second fundraiser in October that was held at the horse farm of Vonda and Kevin Lacey in Augusta County -- a glorious fall day that also included then-AG candidate Bob McDonnell, many of the local electeds, and Ken Mehlman, then-chairman of the Republican National Committee who worked in the Bush administration with my sister. What a fantastic day ... and Bill and Bob went on to win lieutenant governor and attorney general on their way to leading the party to a sweep of the Top 3 a short four years later.

Trixie Averill ... the heart of the 6th Congressional District for 30 years. She worked with more candidates than we will ever remember but a few of them were George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Jerry Kilgore, George W. Bush, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling ... she was the go-to person for western Virginia. Here she reconnects with Randy Marcus who has been with the LG since the beginning, and whom I first met in late 1999 on the George W. Bush presidential campaign.

Bill and Trixie at the LG's official portrait unveiling in Richmond on January 10, 2014.

Trixie and Governor Bob McDonnell meet in the Capitol. They drove hundreds of campaign miles together and have been friends for years.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
Richmond, Virginia
January 10, 2014

Trixie at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia

Trixie Averill

German farm with Godfrey.

An example of the first American log cabins.

Trixie was reading the plaque below.

Trixie Averill and I met up with longtime Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia volunteer Dick Spencer for an afternoon around the various farmsteads. Trixie, who is a gubernatorial appointment on the Virginia Tourism Board, was fascinated with all that is available to learn and do at this hands-on facility. Here she and Dick are at the American farmstead on Wednesday. More photos to come....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
June 5, 2013

Richmond Times-Dispatch cuts 20 jobs ... releases veteran reporter Tyler Whitley

Hard times continue for the hard copy media industry with the recent news that the Richmond Times-Dispatch, owned by Media General, has cut 20 jobs.

Sadly, veteran political reporter Tyler Whitley was one of the twenty.

An icon on the Richmond scene and a Virginia native, his career began in 1960 as an obituary writer at the Richmond News Leader where he worked his way up to business editor. He moved into political coverage and, when the News Leader merged with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, he continued, becoming the "dean" of the Virginia capitol press corps. He wrote about the Virginia General Assembly for 40 years and covered nine governors including Bob McDonnell, fourteen national political conventions, and four redistrictings. Assignments throughout the years took him to ten countries.

I first met Mr. Whitley in February 2000 while working the George W. Bush for President campaign in Richmond. On the Saturday before the presidential primary day, an event was held at campaign headquarters with Texas Governor/U.S. presidential candidate Bush, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, Lt. Governor John Hager, and U.S. Senate candidate and former Governor George Allen.

I was in charge of credentialing the press and that was the first time I met Tyler Whitley in person.  Although I grew up in Richmond, I wasn't particularly political in my youth and had spent a decade out of state so did not know who he was and asked for his name to write on his credentials. He looked at me for a few seconds and then very calmly and patiently stated his name.

The look stuck with me. It wasn't mean or condescending ... it was more like someone who was so used to people knowing who he was that it was surprising to run into someone who didn't. Later inside headquarters, I asked some of my fellow Bush volunteers, "Who is Tyler Whitley?" I soon found out ... and never again forgot.

In the years since, he and I have often crossed paths. Even though I realize he doesn't know who I am, I always say hello and sometimes we chat a bit, especially during the trip to Minneapolis in 2008 for the Republican National Convention.

During that trip when the Virginia delegation was gathered one evening for an informal cocktail party, he and long-time Virginia Republican activist Trixie Averill started talking about a political event years earlier that took place in southwest Virginia.

It was in Gate City in 1993 at a picnic Trixie helped organized with Jerry Kilgore who was in grassroots leadership at the time. Trixie, her arms full as she hauled supplies from her car, was headed down a pathway toward the picnic shelter when she saw a "stick" across the trail. Just as her foot was stepping over the "stick," it moved ... and slithered right in front of her.

Trixie screamed, the supplies flew up in the air, and -- as Trixie remembers -- she darn near had a heart attack as she ran to safety.

"Tyler was right behind me cracking up," Trixie, who is now Virginia Director of Americans for Prosperity, recalled recently, "but a few ladies who were down at the shelter and heard me scream were more sympathetic. Tyler wrote a very edited down version of what happened in his article the next day about George Allen's trip to southwest Virginia and has never let me live it down since."

Hearing those two reminiscence about the snake story that night in Minneapolis had us all laughing until our sides hurt. It was but one of the thousands of memories from Whitley's years covering Virginia politics.

Whitley celebrated his 50th anniversary as a reporter in December 2010. At a time when the mainstays of media communication are being reinvented almost on a daily basis and when reporters carry iPhones, Blackberries, laptops, use Twitter and every other means of new media, Whitley has found himself surrounded by citizen journalists aka bloggers who are competing for the story. It didn't deter him as he went about his job.

I would like to say congratulations to Mr. Whitley for 50+ years of journalism ... and thanks for the memories.

My parents at the RPV Reagan Dinner

 My parents at Saturday's RPV Reagan Dinner.

Mom, Trixie Averill, and Marie Quinn.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
2 April 2011

Trixie says goodbye

 Trixie Averill and Mike Thomas.

 Trixie listens as Mike Thomas remembers her years of work for the GOP.

Trixie and RPV Executive Director Dave Rexrode. Trixie has been named the new Virginia director of Americans for Prosperity and has left her position as the GOP's 6th District Chairman.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
2 April 2011

More jobs for Virginia

Governor Bob McDonnell has announced 128 new jobs for Virginia from MeadWestvaco. "Bobs for Jobs" is getting the job done....

Also check out the latest about the 6th District Convention over the weekend. Congrats again to Trixie Averill for winning the chairman position with 73% of the vote.

A bit of this 'n that from around the blogosphere

A new blogging week brings a look around the blogosphere to see what news is making the rounds.

Congratulations to SWAC bloggers Yankee Phil (#2) and Fishersville Mike (#5) on BlogNetNews/Virginia. Jason agrees with Rep. Tom McClintock at Augusta Water Cooler. Bob posts a beautiful photo at The Journey of the clouds after a Shenandoah Valley storm.

Tom White's News Hound was up early sniffing out the latest batch of interesting blog posts at Virginia Right! Thanks for the link, Tom.

Pat has her lineup down in Shrevesport.

In Virginia Republican District Chair news....

JR has District Chair results posted at Bearing Drift.

Right here in the 6th District, long-time GOP activist Trixie Averill is the new chairman.

Virginia Virtucon's Lovettsville Lady reports that Howie Lind is the new chairman of 10th District.

Morgan Griffith won the Republican Congressional nomination from the 9th District.

Around the Shenandoah Valley....

Mike smelled the honeysuckle blooming, a reminder it's spring in the Valley, which is a great time to take in a movie at Hull's Drive-In outside Lexington.

Republican Charles Djou wins in Hawaii:

"The people of Hawaii have given us a short-term lease with an option to buy in November. This is not the time for us to rest on our laurels. This is the time to redouble our efforts to bring out change. To do good, to restore our nation to prosperity." -- Charles Djou

The Other McCain has it covered ... so does Virginia Right! and No Sheeples Here and American Power.

Lots of great reading in the blogosphere. Enjoy ... more to come.

McDonnell, Bolling, Goodlatte endorse Averill for 6th District Chair

Trixie Averill stood in 2007 against anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan in Charlottesville. Trixie, a military mom whose son Sgt. Marcus Averill was deployed 3 times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, rallied with others in support of America's troops. Trixie's sign says, "3 Tour Military Mom." This is my favorite photo of her. It shows she has been boots-on-the-ground throughout the years and not just at political rallies.

~6th District Convention today~

Trixie Averill is the real deal, someone who has been in the trenches for 30 years working for conservative causes, principles, and candidates, crisscrossing the Commonwealth and especially the 6th District to do so. She has campaigned for everyone from George Allen to Jim Gilmore to Bob Goodlatte to Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli.

Trixie has been endorsed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte as she runs for Chairman of the 6th District at this weekend's convention in Lynchburg.

Anyone who knows her knows an animated, upbeat, and patriotic military mom whose energy rallies others to work their hardest for our candidates. Recently, while speaking at the Rockingham County mass meeting, she read the duties of a District Chairman from the Republican Party of Virginia Party Plan and emphasized that a chairman does the business of the Party by supporting Republican candidates and the Reublican Platform.

From Article IV, Section D of the Party Plan - Duties of a chairman:

2. District Chairman
a. The District Chairman shall be Chairman of the District Committee.

b. He shall issue calls for District Conventions and Party Canvasses, and shall preside until a temporary organization is effected. See Article VIII, Section A.

c. He shall convene the District Committee when the needs of the Party so demand, but in no event less than once during each calendar quarter, with no more than four (4) months between each meeting, and shall preside at the meetings of the Committee. He shall be responsible for sending written notice of the call for a Committee meeting to all members of the Committee,which shall include the agenda for the meeting.

d. He shall be responsible for the operation of the District Headquarters, hiring such personnel as he shall deem necessary and for which funds are budgeted and shall be accountable therefor to the District Committee.

e. He shall be responsible for providing a prescribed time and place, which shall be supervised by the District Chairman, or a designated representative, for filing such declaration of candidacy and petitions as may be required by state law of a candidate in any primary election.

The 6th District has had its share of issues the past two years and Trixie will be ready to step in and mediate where necessary. Her grassroots activism goes back 30 years and she was voted by her peers onto State Central Committee and then, in 2009, as Western Vice Chairwoman.

Trixie walks the walk ... she doesn't just talk the talk. Leadership demands more than just words ... it demands action.

A brief outline of Trixie's conservative work throughout the years:

- Conservative: pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, believes in Virginia GOP Creed
- Worked on campaigns for George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Mark Earley, Jerry Kilgore, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and others
- Traveled all of the Western part of the state since 1993 representing statewide candidates
- Spent countless hours attending and organizing meetings, fundraisers, rallies, parades, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and untold numbers of barbeques
- Made phone calls, lists, distributed materials, worked Headquarters, sent thousands of emails, poked, prodded, and pushed candidates and volunteers alike to work harder to win the race
- Member of the 6th District Committee and the State Central Committee since 1992 - Currently serves as the Western Vice-Chairwoman

Trixie explained her reason for seeking the 6th District Chairman position:

Now, after 16 years of traveling the West, I’d like to focus right here in my home district. The political landscape has changed and we can no longer assume that the 6th will go red, just because it always has. I do believe that we can still win and win big, but we have to buckle down, work together, and stay focused on the goal.

The 6th District Convention is Saturday, May 22, in Lynchburg. I've worked with Trixie as a volunteer for 11 years and have seen her in action all those years. Email me if you would like more information about her or about the upcoming 6th District Convention.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell

McDonnell, Bolling, Goodlatte endorse Averill for 6th District Chair

Trixie Averill stood in 2007 against anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan in Charlottesville.

Trixie, a military mom whose son Sgt. Marcus Averill was deployed 3 times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, rallied with others in support of America's troops.

Trixie's sign says, "3 Tour Military Mom." This is my favorite photo of her. It shows she has been boots-on-the-ground throughout the years and not just at political rallies.

Trixie Averill is the real deal, someone who has been in the trenches for 30 years working for conservative causes, principles, and candidates, crisscrossing the Commonwealth and especially the 6th District to do so. She has campaigned for everyone from George Allen to Jim Gilmore to Bob Goodlatte to Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli.

Trixie has been endorsed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte as she runs for Chairman of the 6th District at this weekend's convention in Lynchburg.

Anyone who knows her knows an animated, upbeat, and patriotic military mom whose energy rallies others to work their hardest for our candidates. Recently, while speaking at the Rockingham County mass meeting, she read the duties of a District Chairman from the Republican Party of Virginia Party Plan and emphasized that a chairman does the business of the Party by supporting Republican candidates and the Reublican Platform.

From Article IV, Section D of the Party Plan - Duties of a chairman:

2. District Chairman
a. The District Chairman shall be Chairman of the District Committee.

b. He shall issue calls for District Conventions and Party Canvasses, and shall preside until a temporary organization is effected. See Article VIII, Section A.

c. He shall convene the District Committee when the needs of the Party so demand, but in no event less than once during each calendar quarter, with no more than four (4) months between each meeting, and shall preside at the meetings of the Committee. He shall be responsible for sending written notice of the call for a Committee meeting to all members of the Committee,which shall include the agenda for the meeting.

d. He shall be responsible for the operation of the District Headquarters, hiring such personnel as he shall deem necessary and for which funds are budgeted and shall be accountable therefor to the District Committee.

e. He shall be responsible for providing a prescribed time and place, which shall be supervised by the District Chairman, or a designated representative, for filing such declaration of candidacy and petitions as may be required by state law of a candidate in any primary election.

The 6th District has had its share of issues the past two years and Trixie will be ready to step in and mediate where necessary. Her grassroots activism goes back 30 years and she was voted by her peers onto State Central Committee and then, in 2009, as Western Vice Chairwoman.

Trixie walks the walk ... she doesn't just talk the talk. Leadership demands more than just words ... it demands action.

A brief outline of Trixie's conservative work throughout the years:

- Conservative: pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, believes in Virginia GOP Creed
- Worked on campaigns for George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Mark Earley, Jerry Kilgore, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and others
- Traveled all of the Western part of the state since 1993 representing statewide candidates
- Spent countless hours attending and organizing meetings, fundraisers, rallies, parades, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and untold numbers of barbeques
- Made phone calls, lists, distributed materials, worked Headquarters, sent thousands of emails, poked, prodded, and pushed candidates and volunteers alike to work harder to win the race
- Member of the 6th District Committee and the State Central Committee since 1992 - Currently serves as the Western Vice-Chairwoman

Trixie explained her reason for seeking the 6th District Chairman position:

Now, after 16 years of traveling the West, I’d like to focus right here in my home district. The political landscape has changed and we can no longer assume that the 6th will go red, just because it always has. I do believe that we can still win and win big, but we have to buckle down, work together, and stay focused on the goal.

The 6th District Convention is Saturday, May 22, in Lynchburg. I've worked with Trixie as a volunteer for 11 years and have seen her in action all those years. Email me if you would like more information about her or about the upcoming 6th District Convention.

Virginia 6th District ... Trixie Averill for Chairman

Trixie Averill, Virginia 6th District chairman candidate, outside The Depot Grille in downtown Staunton's historic wharf area. She was wearing a t-shirt featuring her beloved New Orleans Saints who were the 2010 Superbowl Champions.

She has been busy traveling up and down the Shenandoah Valley speaking at mass meetings and other events to ask voters to sign up as delegates for the 6th District Convention and cast a vote for her. This week found 6th congressional district chairman candidate Trixie Averill in Staunton where we met for lunch and talked about all things Republican.

As she continues to pick up delegates leading to the May 22 Sixth District Convention in Lynchburg, I'm rooting for her victory. Her experience and knowledge of the 6th District, and her access to those in leadership, are an asset at a time when our country is in unrest because Democrats have jammed unwanted bills such as cap-and-trade and government-run health care down the throats of citizens.

Trixie has been part of the grassroots for years ... a boots-on-the-ground presence not only during Republican campaigns but also organizing bus trips with Americans for Prosperity and others so that citizens would have their voices heard in Washington and Richmond. She has worked hard and, hopefully, on May 22 she will be voted into that leadership position.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
15 April 2010

Trixie Averill -- candidate for 6th District Chairman

Trixie Averill, Virginia 6th District chairman candidate, outside The Depot Grille in downtown Staunton's historic wharf area. She was wearing a t-shirt featuring her beloved New Orleans Saints who were the 2010 Superbowl Champions.

She has been busy traveling up and down the Shenandoah Valley speaking at mass meetings and other events to ask voters to sign up as delegates for the 6th District Convention and cast a vote for her. This week found 6th congressional district chairman candidate Trixie Averill in Staunton where we met for lunch and talked about all things Republican.

As she continues to pick up delegates leading to the May 22 Sixth District Convention in Lynchburg, I'm rooting for her victory. Her experience and knowledge of the 6th District, and her access to those in leadership, are an asset at a time when our country is in unrest because Democrats have jammed unwanted bills such as cap-and-trade and government-run health care down the throats of citizens.

Trixie has been part of the grassroots for years ... a boots-on-the-ground presence not only during Republican campaigns but also organizing bus trips with Americans for Prosperity and others so that citizens would have their voices heard in Washington and Richmond. She has worked hard and, hopefully, on May 22 she will be voted into that leadership position.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
15 April 2010

2010 Americans for Prosperity Summit & Glenn Beck

Mark your calendars ... contact Trixie Averill for more info....

2010 AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY SUMMIT
August 27-28, 2010
Washington, DC

We will be attending Glenn Beck's RESTORING HONOR Rally
in conjunction with the summit.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS YEAR!!!
Details will follow as they are available.

Activism is more than just talk!!!

Contact Trixie Averill for more
information and to reserve a seat on the free bus.

Trixie Averill campaigning for 6th District Chair

Trixie Averill, 6th Republican Congressional District chairman candidate, outside The Depot Grille in downtown Staunton's historic wharf area. She was wearing a t-shirt featuring her beloved New Orleans Saints who were the 2010 Superbowl Champions.

She has been busy traveling up and down the Shenandoah Valley speaking at mass meetings and other events to ask voters to sign up as delegates for the 6th District Convention and cast a vote for her. This week found 6th congressional district chairman candidate Trixie Averill in Staunton where we met for lunch and talked about all things Republican.

As she continues to pick up delegates leading to the May 22 Sixth District Convention in Lynchburg, I'm rooting for her victory. Her experience and knowledge of the 6th District, and her access to those in leadership, are an asset at a time when our country is in unrest because Democrats have jammed unwanted bills such as cap-and-trade and government-run health care down the throats of citizens.

Trixie has been part of the grassroots for years ... a boots-on-the-ground presence not only during Republican campaigns but also organizing bus trips with Americans for Prosperity and others so that citizens would have their voices heard in Washington and Richmond. She has worked hard and, hopefully, on May 22 she will be voted into that leadership position.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
15 April 2010

Trixie Averill ... 6th District Chair candidate speaks at Rockingham mass meeting

Trixie Averill stood with Support the Troops ralliers at the 2007 Cindy Sheehan appearance in Charlottesville. Her sign said, "3 Tour Military Mom." Her son, Sgt. Marcus Averill, was deployed to Iraq three times during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is my favorite photo of Trixie.

Trixie Averill has had boots-on-the-ground for 30 years working for conservative causes and candidates ... and on Monday night she was speaking to the 100+ attendees at the Rockingham County mass meeting in Harrisonburg.

A Republican activist in the trenches for years, she was typical Trixie ... animated, upbeat, and a patriotic military mom whose son spent three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. She thanked everyone for coming out ... she commented on the large crowd.

She asked, "Is there anyone in this room who doesn't agree with the Constitution? If so, you're in the wrong room!"

She read the duties of a District Chairman from the Republican Party of Virginia Party Plan, emphasizing that a chairman does the business of the Republican Party by supporting Republican candidates and the Republican Platform.

"It's a travesty what Democrats have done," she exclaimed, referring to government health care reform recently pass by a partisan Democrat vote in Congress. We don't have that problem in the 6th District, she added, because of the excellent representation of Congressman Bob Goodlatte.

She emphasized that there are problems in the 5th District where Congressman Tom Perriello (D) voted for the government health care bill, and in the 9th District where Congressman Rick Boucher (D) voted for cap and trade.

Her grassroots activism goes back 30 years and many know her from her years of traveling the Shenandoah Valley supporting Republican candidates and encouraging volunteers who want to be involved.

Trixie walks the walk ... she doesn't just talk the talk.

A brief outline of Trixie's conservative work throughout the years:

- Conservative: pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, believes in Virginia GOP Creed
- Worked on campaigns for George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Mark Earley, Jerry Kilgore, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and others
- Traveled all of the Western part of the state since 1993 representing statewide candidates
- Spent countless hours attending and organizing meetings, fundraisers, rallies, parades, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and untold numbers of barbeques
- Made phone calls, lists, distributed materials, worked Headquarters, sent thousands of emails, poked, prodded, and pushed candidates and volunteers alike to work harder to win the race
- Member of the 6th District Committee and the State Central Committee since 1992
- Currently serves as the Western Vice-Chairwoman

Trixie explained her reason for seeking the 6th District Chairman position:

Now, after 16 years of traveling the West, I’d like to focus right here in my home district. The political landscape has changed and we can no longer assume that the 6th will go red, just because it always has. I do believe that we can still win and win big, but we have to buckle down, work together, and stay focused on the goal.

The 6th District Convention is May 22 in Lynchburg.

I've worked with Trixie as a volunteer for 11 years and have seen her in action all those years. Email me if you would like more information about her or about the upcoming 6th District Convention.

Shenandoah County GOP dinner ... more guests at the Yellow Barn

Jon Comer, Wade Zirkle, Suzanne Curran

Daryl and Tara Bowman

Christy Huffman and Suzanne Curran

Tara Bowman with her mom, Peggy Huffman.

Del. Todd Gilbert talks with constituents after dinner.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte talks with constituents after dinner.

Trixie Averill, running for 6th District Chairman, during dinner.

Trixie Averill and Todd Gilbert.

Photos by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell
25 March 2010