Deeds and Wagner win Democratic primary (Updated with statements)

By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 | Politics

Update: Catch our “recap” podcasts with Dr. Bob Holsworth and Vivian Paige and Shaun Kenney.

Fresh post to the one we have been updating. The results are just undeniable…Moran and McAuliffe split the 50% of the NoVA vote they may get…Deeds and Wagner are winning walking away.

McDonnell’s video statement:

Statement form Matt Wells, campaign manager of the Bolling campaign:

“Bill Bolling’s 18 years of service in local government, the State Senate and as Lieutenant Governor make him by far the most qualified candidate to ever seek the Lieutenant Governor’s office and the only candidate who is prepared to be Governor should the need arise. His record of working with Republicans and Democrats to find solutions to the challenges facing Virginia provides a clear contrast with Ms. Wagner and her inexperienced and partisan approach to government.”

Thoughts from DNC Chairman and current Governor Tim Kaine:

“As Virginia continues to weather the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, we need elected leaders with the savvy and the courage to make the tough decisions to get our economy back on track. With his years of dedicated public service and real-world experience, Creigh is the ideal leader to keep Virginia the Best State for Business, the Best-Managed State, and thePlace Where a Child is Most Likely to Succeed in Life. I’ve worked closely with Senator Deeds over the years and I am confident he will do what’s right for our communities and our Commonwealth.

“I know from experience that Virginia is a place where Democrats have won-and will continue to win-because we take a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to politics and governing, instead of an ideological one. We’re known for being problem-solvers and unifiers and we pursue policies that work for Virginia families.

“Creigh Deeds has always been able to bring people together, build consensus, and deliver results. That’s exactly the approach that Virginians have supported over the past eight years, and I have no doubt that Creigh will work in a bipartisan way to keep building on the progress we’ve made.

“In the coming months, Virginians will have the chance to decide who we want to be the chief steward of our resources and the kind of leader we feel will ensure the best opportunities for our families and our future.

“The choice is clear: Creigh Deeds is the best candidate to continue the work begun by my administration – and the Warner administration before ours – while positioning us for future achievements.”

Reaction from Pat Mullins, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia:

“Virginia Democrats have nominated a slate of three candidates that would raise taxes as soon as possible and lead with the people’s checkbook as their weapon. Should they succeed in their mission, these three candidates would increase the financial strain on Virginians and private enterprise, depress economic growth and stifle job creation.

“Republicans are the Party of ‘Yes.’ We will promote energy independence. We will protect our Right-to-Work law and keep Virginia competitive. We will promote education reform through charter schools and performance pay for teachers. We will demand efficiency in spending and eliminate burdensome regulations to make government simpler and more user-friendly. And we will offer innovative solutions to stimulate the economy and promote job growth. At each step of the way, Republicans will say ‘yes!’ to these ideals, while our opponents will say ‘no!’

“Given the dismal voter turnout in their primary election, it is clear that there is little excitement in their party and an even smaller appetite for the kind of expansive government their candidates represent. By contrast, our party is enthusiastically behind our excellent ticket of Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, as proven by the attendance of over 8,000 Republicans at our recent convention. Everywhere I travel in Virginia, local Republican interest is high, which bodes well for our chances in November.

“In Creigh Deeds, Democrats have selected a candidate for governor who has answered every question government faces by seeking new taxes to hike. He has consistently looked into the pocketbooks of hardworking Virginia families to fund his priorities, including supporting a 30-percent increase in the gasoline tax – even at a time when gas was hovering around $4.00 a gallon. Additionally, he leads a ticket that refuses to oppose Card Check, which damages the economy and kills jobs. As we fight to emerge from a difficult economic period, Virginia simply cannot afford a governor whose first options are to find more of the people’s money to throw around and embrace policies that hurt job creation.

“Jody Wagner brings a record of failed economic and financial policies of the past to the general election. She has supported raising nearly every tax imaginable on Virginia’s families and businesses and was the leader of the financial team that created $5 billion in budget deficits. A close ally of Big Labor, she also opposes efforts to expand nuclear power, clean coal and development of Virginia’s off shore energy resources, which would create thousands of new jobs.

“Steve Shannon is looking to leave behind his status as a back-bencher in the legislature to continue to promote his belief in higher economic burdens on working families. His record reflects full-voiced support for higher taxes and staunch opposition to tax relief. When Virginians are hurting and are in need of new and better jobs, his view of the taxpayer as an unlimited funding source is the last thing we want.

“Finally, the rejection of Terry McAuliffe indicates that even Democrats are disillusioned about the direction their party and leadership have taken. When a wealthy, insider financed, nationally prominent, personal friend of the Clintons is rebuked in such a manner, it is a clear indicator of a party in disarray from top to bottom. On the Republican side, we are energized and look forward to the road ahead.”

And, thoughts from Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia:

“Creigh Deeds is the ideal candidate to continue the Warner-Kaine tradition of commonsense leadership for Virginia. As a candidate, Creigh will appeal to Virginians of all stripes and in every corner of the commonwealth. Creigh’s focus on turning around the economy by investing in education is the right plan to keep Virginia moving forward.

“Creigh’s decisive victory comes after a lively primary with three highly qualified candidates for governor. Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran ran top-notch campaigns and raised important issues that made our nominee stronger. Just like President Obama did last year, Creigh Deeds emerges from this primary battle-tested and ready for the race in November.

“Virginians will have a clear choice in November between a moderate Democrat who stands with Virginia families and a divisive Republican who has consistently blocked progress for Virginia. Bob McDonnell has spent a career saying ‘no’ to the progress that we’ve made under Governor Kaine and Governor Warner. The contrast between Bob and Creigh could not be clearer: Creigh has spent nearly two decades breaking down party and geographic barriers to make lives better for Virginia families.”

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