The latest name to join the frolic of candidates in the race for the Commonwealth’s No. 2 is Virginia’s own social media entrepreneur, Pete Snyder.
Snyder was the chairman of Virginia’s Victory Operation in the 2012 election, and helped organize the largest grassroots effort Virginia has ever seen. Under Pete Snyder’s chairmanship, over 40 victory offices (including satellite locations) were opened throughout the commonwealth. His success in the private sector has received worldwide acclaim, as well.
Here is his campaign’s statement:
SPRINGFIELD, VA – Technology entrepreneur, social media pioneer and conservative Fox News commentator Pete Snyder today announced his candidacy to become the 40th Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“The technology company that booted up in my kitchen over a decade ago created hundreds of high-paying Virginia jobs over the years, and founded an entirely new industry worldwide,” said Snyder. “I learned that big ideas, constant innovation and putting customers first drives growth and prosperity. As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll apply those lessons so we reform and transform our education system, make Virginia number one in the nation in new job creation and stop the rush to higher taxes and job-killing regulation.”
Snyder was the founder and CEO of New Media Strategies (NMS), the world’s first social media marketing agency based in Arlington, VA. NMS was named to the “Inc. Magazine 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America” list three times. Both Washingtonian Magazine and Washington Business Journal called NMS one of the area’s “Best Places to Work.” Snyder was named “2006 Best Boss” by Fortune Small Business, a “Tech Titan” twice by Washingtonian Magazine and a “Disruptor We Admire” by Smart CEO Magazine.
“We need to fix our country and our party,” said Snyder. “We’ve gone from Ronald Reagan’s Big Tent to something more resembling a pup tent. Some say capitulation and higher taxes are the answer. I think that is dead wrong. We need to double down on our conservative principles and work to win hearts and minds with big, bold, new ideas like Education Reform that will help Virginia to lead again,” said Snyder.
Snyder, a graduate of the College of William and Mary, was appointed to its Board of Visitors by Governor Bob McDonnell. He serves on the marketing board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the Board of Trustees of Cushing Academy. He is also a World Championship certified BBQ judge.
He and his wife Burson live in Fairfax County, Virginia.