[1]Social conservative stalwart and consultant to Delegate Bob Marshall, Steve Waters, will be announced this afternoon as the latest hire by the George Allen campaign, sources confirm.
Waters, who is known for his advocacy for both social and fiscal conservatives, is a strong signal to social conservatives that Allen is taking their support very seriously.
Waters is a well known pro-life and pro-family conservative with a wide following, and seen as one of the primary founders of the Tea Party movement in Virginia. Waters headed the Marshall for U.S. Senate campaign in 2008, nearly toppling former Governor Jim Gilmore for the GOP nod, as well as working with the Virginia Conservative Action PAC (VCAP) challenging pro-tax Republicans after the 2004 Chichester tax hike.
Allen’s announcement of Waters coming on board follows the staff appointments of well known Virginia figures such as Mike Thomas, the architect of Allen’s 1993 gubernatorial bid.
The move is likely to send shockwaves throughout the Radtke campaign, who has been fending off criticism from social conservatives.
Conservative media mogul Timothy Donner recently announced his bid for U.S. Senate as well, indicating Radtke is not demonstrating to conservative deep pockets that she is the one to offer a credible challenge to Allen from the right.
This is the clearest indicator yet that it is not likely Marshall, who came within one delegate vote of being the Party’s nominee in 2008 against Jim Gilmore, will be entering the U.S. Senate race.
UPDATE: Below is a statement from Steve Waters on his appointment as Family Policy Advisor to George Allen:
It is with great pride that I join George Allen’s campaign for the U.S. Senate as Advisor on Family Policy Issues.
The 2012 election is a turning point. The outcome in Virginia could decide whether America continues down a path of fiscal ruin, moral decline and infringement on the Constitution and our liberties. It will determine whether our children will be burdened with a mountain of debt or enjoy a future of prosperity, and whether we as a nation uphold our enduring values of life, family, freedom and faith.
Moreover, this election will not be easy. Tim Kaine, former Governor and Democratic National Committee Chair, is the presumed nominee of the Democrat Party. He is an extension of the policies of President Obama, which do not represent our Nation or Virginia favorably.
At this critical juncture, we, as Republicans need to unite behind the strongest candidate we can field for the U.S. Senate. We need a proven social, fiscal and Constitutional conservative with a record of leadership and electoral success.
As an elected leader, George Allen has led on issues such as parental notification of abortions for minors, banning of partial birth abortions and many other issues. And with my appointment as Family Policy Advisor, Governor Allen is demonstrating that his commitment to our values is for the future as well. He will be a champion for Virginia families in the Senate, fighting for policies that empower parents, protect our children and promote life.
I look forward to working with Governor Allen and his team to get out the word about his unquestioned commitment to Virginia values, as well as to engage Virginians throughout the Commonwealth to the strengths and principles of the Republican Party, which helped forge a great Nation. I am excited about being a part of a massive grassroots campaign for our children’s future. We can stand in Victory together or lose divided. With so much at stake, there is not a moment to lose, and I encourage my fellow pro-family conservatives to join me in closing ranks behind George Allen today.
Quite the call for unity, and clearly heartfelt.
Speaking about Waters joining his team, Governor Allen said:
“Steve Waters is an outstanding addition to our energetic campaign team. To win this pivotal election in 2012 and bring the voices of Virginians to the U.S. Senate, we must unite, welcome and enlist the help of millions of Virginians who share our values, and who want to make a real change in Washington and improve the opportunity for Americans to achieve their dreams.
“Steve’s experience in organizing and educating grassroots activists will be valuable to our grassroots insurgency as we take our positive, motivating message to men and women throughout Virginia. Susan and I are grateful that Steve is joining as a leader on our team.”