With the Republican primary just two weeks from today, some prominent names in central Virginia’s Republican circles are making endorsements in the 22nd Senate District race. (N.B. this list is not intended to be exhaustive; many local and party officials have also endorsed the various candidates.)
Brian Bates, an associate professor at Longwood University and sitting member of the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors has earned the support of both former U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode and conservative activist Jim McKelvey. McKelvey’s endorsement–announced on Facebook–stated:
In the past week, I have reviewed several of the candidates for the senate seat for the 22nd district. I have concluded that Brian Bates is the best candidate for the job to represent the 22nd district. He is plain spoken and gets rights to the point. No political spew. He recognizes, having been on the board of supervisors for 12 years, that one of the major problems for local government is the continuing mountain regulations and unfunded mandates being stacked on our local governments. He also recognizes that this country is deep in a financial crisis and with that will come even less funding by the state and federal government to the local government. He has concluded his best option is to serve in Richmond to put an end to the financial burdens put on, we, the American taxpayers. Lastly, it is my personal option that the last thing we need is an attorney/politician. We need a statesman in Richmond who represents the American people and not either party. It is imperative that on August 23, that we stand up and support a statesman to go to Richmond. Get out to vote!
Meanwhile, one of McKelvey’s rivals in the 2010 5th Congressional District primary, Feda Kidd Morton, has joined Dels. Rob Bell and Bill Janis in endorsing Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tom Garrett. Calling Garrett a “Cuccinelli conservative,” Morton wrote a letter on Garrett’s behalf urging the 22nd District’s conservative voters to support him:
Tom is a Cuccinelli, Constitutional, Christian and Conservative: In short, Tom Garrett knows that government does not have a revenue problem, “it has a spending problem.” Tom ran his office in Louisa with great efficiency even during these hard budget crunch years and still got the job done better with limited resources.
Tom knows that the Constitution is just as relevant today as it was the day it was written, and that we are endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights. He knows that “We the People” control government and that the “nanny state” has to go.
Tom Garrett has a “proven record” of making it a safer world for our families and children by “locking away” the internet pedophiles and pornographers who seek to harm our children daily….
He believes the free enterprise system is the bedrock of America’s prosperity and will sponsor legislation to slash excessive regulations, licenses, taxes and fees on small businesses which stifle growth, kill jobs and destroy the ability to live the American dream.
Lynchburg attorney Mark Peake has earned the endorsement of Lynchburg’s freshman delegate Dr. Scott Garrett. Referencing Peake’s recent appointment by Gov. McDonnell to serve on the Commonwealth Transportation Board, Del. Garrett stated that Peake already has the connections in Richmond to be an effective voice for central Virginia:
“Mark already has the confidence of the governor and the other members of the General Assembly representing this area,” and “he can be as effective in Richmond as he has been here.”
Finally, as first reported here at Bearing Drift in June, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith has endorsed Amherst County farmer, businesswoman and county supervisor Claudia Tucker:
Claudia knows the way state government works, and she knows how to balance a budget. She helped balance the books in Amherst County without raising taxes, and has run her own family farm as well. All of these make her a great candidate for the Senate.”
“It’s a testament to the strength of our campaign that a rural leader like Congressman Griffith is on our side,” Tucker said. “I knew him for years in the Virginia legislature and know how strong his passion is for doing what’s right for Virginia. I appreciate his help and support and look forward to working with him as we move forward in this race.”
