Wittman Withdraws From Governor’s Race

First District Congressman Rob Wittman, who won his reelection handily this year, even in some strongholds typically blue, announced today he will not seek the nomination for Governor of Virginia in 2017.  Wittman announced his potential bid one year ago in December of 2015, citing his conservative pro-growth voting record and long history in local government, the General Assembly and in Congress.    

Throughout this year, however he has focused primarily on his reelection campaign and getting to know the citizens in the new counties added by a judge in 2016 to the First District.  Hanover and New Kent became part of the First Congressional District in the last gasp of the Virginia redistricting debacle.  While Wittman had garnered support from many activists who appreciated his strong and sensible Congressional voting record, there were those who spoke to the huge gap in Virginia’s Congressional Delegation if he should leave that office.

My Bearing Drift Colleague Matt Hall detailed these reasons in a story published in June. The most important take away from Matt’s post was this:

Virginia’s military community needs their Readiness Subcommittee Chairman. As Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee, Congressman Wittman has a wide variety of control over the budget of the Armed Forces. According to the Subcommittee’s website, “The Readiness Subcommittee is responsible for the single largest account within DOD’s budget. It oversees military readiness, training, logistics and maintenance issues and programs, military construction, installations and family housing issues, and the BRAC process…The Readiness Subcommittee makes sure that our troops are properly trained and their equipment is properly maintained so they can succeed in their missions, and that they have the facilities and services they deserve when they return home.”

Given the critical impact of defense programs on the Commonwealth,  it is necessary that a senior Republican from Virginia stay on House Armed Services. We need a Virginian to voice the concerns of thousands of Virginians that depend on that sector of the economy. Rob Wittman’s steadfast dedication to Virginia’s military families and defense related industry makes him the obvious choice to lead our House delegation in the future.

In an interview on Thursday, Rob spoke to those reasons and made it clear he would put Virginia and its citizens first.  His statement follows:

“My intentions haven’t changed,” Wittman said, “but the circumstances around me have. I’m so grateful to the folks who have been a part of this journey so far, and I’m excited to keep working with folks in the First District to grow our economy, strengthen our national security, and make sure that Virginia is always first. We have a unique opportunity right now in Congress to work with the new Administration and with Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate to make real impacts across the Commonwealth and the country. I cannot ignore that, and I can’t ignore the obligation that I have to the people in the First District. As a public servant, I believe it’s my job to be where I can do the most good for Virginia. I can’t predict where that will be in the future, but right now, it’s here in Congress.”

A call to Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Ed Gillespie resulted in the following e-mail:

“Rob Wittman has an important opportunity to work with a Trump Administration and our Republican majorities in Congress to advance Virginia’s priorities at a critical time for us. He is a good friend and a good man, and like countless other Virginians I am grateful for his continued leadership in and service to our Commonwealth.” 

Here is Wittman’s full statement:

“There’s an old Groucho Marx joke that goes something like this: ‘Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.’

“It’s not hard to see that’s been the kind of politics at work in Washington. It’s the kind of politics that gives us, at best dysfunction, and at worst decline. And it’s the kind of politics that we saw running rampant during this last election cycle.

“But I believe this is a new day with new opportunities for us to make a real difference–together.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for us to capitalize on our election day successes. With President-elect Trump in the White House and a Republican-controlled House and Senate, we have a real opportunity to make this country greater than it’s ever been before. It’s time for Republicans to unite and work together to reel in Washington’s out-of-control spending, make lawmakers accountable to the people, defeat and destroy enemies of democracy and freedom, and make sure that We the People are the ones holding the power.

“My father served in the Army during the second World War, and he taught me that we have just one purpose in this world: to make a positive difference in the lives of others. That principle has been my guiding light. I firmly believe my journey in serving others through public office is not about me, but about what is best for Virginia.

“That’s why–with your input–I’ve decided to continue representing Virginia’s First District in Congress and not pursue the Republican nomination for Governor. It’s my job to make sure every voice in the Commonwealth is heard, and right now, I can do that best right here in Congress.

“In particular, I look forward to expanding my leadership role as the senior Virginian serving on the House Armed Services Committee, and making sure Virginia plays a critical role in restoring our nation’s military. President-Elect Trump has made a commitment to overturning sequestration and restoring our naval and troop capacity at levels that will allow us to adequately address the broad range of threats facing our nation.

“I’m also looking forward to changing the way business is done in Washington. I’m working hard for accountability in Washington and to saving taxpayer dollars by making sure there’s certainty in the way that Congress funds government operations.

“During this next year, I’ll be spending some time traveling across the Commonwealth to promote our Republican ticket, unite our party, and meet with Virginians who believe in what we do but have never been asked to vote Republican. Virginia is a true battleground state, and our candidates both statewide and in the House of Delegates need a strong team spreading our message.

“As we move forward together, I’d like to recognize and thank Virginia’s Republican leaders, chairs, activists, and committee members for taking the time to get to know me, support me, and make me feel welcome at the events I’ve been to across the Commonwealth during the last year.

“Because of you, Republicans can and will win statewide in Virginia. The loss of respect for the rule of law, lack of transparent policymaking, fiscal mismanagement, and economic stagnation under Governor McAuliffe has led Virginia to lose its standing as the nation’s leader in innovation and economic growth. Stale policies threaten to stifle growth in the Commonwealth and undermine our ability to work with Republicans at every level of government. I know you won’t let that happen.

“I’d also like to thank the folks in the First District for your constant and unwavering support, your faith in me, and for all of the work that you’ve accomplished with me while I’ve been your Representative in Congress. You are truly my reason for doing what I do every day.

“I am proud to be a Virginian, and I am humbled to be a public servant to a Commonwealth that has a tremendous heritage of servant leaders. I look forward to finding new opportunities to serve all Virginians and to continuing to work with the next generation of conservative leaders in Washington and Richmond to build a stronger Commonwealth and nation.”