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State Senator Bryce Reeves announces run for Lieutenant Governor

Photo Credits go to Senator Reeve’s Facebook Page

Senator Bryce Reeves of Spotsylvania County has announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor.

This is the press release from his campaign:

RICHMOND, VA—Senator Bryce E. Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) announced this evening the launch of Revitalize Virginia PAC. This PAC will help Senator Reeves lay the groundwork for a run for Lt. Governor of Virginia in 2017.

Citing the need for conservative leadership in Richmond as well as his strong record of public service, Senator Reeves announced his intention to run for Lt. Governor of Virginia in 2017.

“I am proud to stand here today in the hallowed halls of the Virginia War Memorial, where we pay respect to the countless Virginians who have put their lives on the line to defend and protect our nation and its people—many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Senator Reeves stated. “Many times in my life I have heard the calling to public service, whether that was as an Army Ranger, a narcotics detective, or as a Senator in the Virginia General Assembly. I look forward to continuing in the long tradition of service my family has in their blood, as I begin to tour the Commonwealth over the next year and lay the groundwork for a run for Lt. Governor in 2017.”

“Virginia deserves strong conservative leadership, and I plan to continue to bring just that to Richmond,” Senator Reeves added. “I have proudly fought for all Virginians during my time in the Senate, whether it meant protecting their 2nd Amendment rights, standing up for the rights and proper treatment of our veterans and military families, or simply working to lower taxes and provide economic opportunity for everyday Virginians. Over the next several months I look forward to meeting and speaking with Virginians across the Commonwealth about the conservative values I believe in.”

“I am proud to have worked with Senator Reeves in the General Assembly over the past several years and even prouder to have served alongside him in the Prince William County Police Department,” statedDelegate Jackson Miller (R-Prince William), who also serves as the Majority Whip of the House of Delegates. “For years, I have seen first-hand Bryce’s true dedication to public service. Today, he is once again answering the call to serve. He is the conservative leader we need in Richmond and I am excited for his campaign for Lt. Governor.”

“Senator Reeves understands the needs of all Virginians—including those in Southwest Virginia—to limit the burden of government and build a strong economy. During his time in the General Assembly, Bryce has worked to lower taxes for all Virginians and bring much-needed jobs to the Commonwealth. As Lt. Governor, Bryce will be able to expand on that record. I look forward to working with him over the coming months as he begins this new endeavor,” Delegate Terry Kilgore (R-Scott) added.

“I’m proud to stand with Senator Reeves today and support him as he begins this journey. I am happy to call him a friend, as well as to have known him before he was a Senator—when he was a grassroots leader in the Republican Party,” said Delegate Nick Freitas (R-Culpeper). “Bryce is the conservative leader that the Republican Party and the Commonwealth both need. With his proven track record and the conservative credentials that he carries, he will make an excellent Lt. Governor.”

Joined at the announcement by a number of his colleagues in the Virginia General Assembly, Senator Reeves additionally rolled out the endorsements of a majority of the Republican members of the legislature. The General Assembly members who publicly endorsed Senator Reeves today as he begins his journey include:

  • Delegate Rich Anderson
  • Delegate Dickie Bell
  • Delegate Kathy Byron
  • Delegate Jeff Campbell
  • Senator Bill Carrico
  • Senator Ben Chafin
  • Delegate Mark Cole
  • Senator John Cosgrove
  • Senator Bill DeSteph
  • Delegate Mark Dudenhefer
  • Senator Siobhan Dunnavant
  • Delegate Peter Farrell
  • Delegate Matt Fariss
  • Delegate Buddy Fowler
  • Delegate Nick Freitas
  • Senator Tom Garrett
  • Senator Emmett Hanger
  • Delegate Chris Head
  • Delegate Bill Howell
  • Delegate Tim Hugo
  • Delegate Terry Kilgore
  • Delegate Jay Leftwich
  • Delegate Jim LeMunyon
  • Senator Ryan McDougle
  • Delegate Jackson Miller
  • Delegate Jason Miyares
  • Delegate Will Morefield
  • Delegate Rick Morris
  • Senator Steve Newman
  • Senator Tommy Norment
  • Delegate Bobby Orrock
  • Delegate Roxann Robinson
  • Senator Bill Stanley
  • Senator Richard Stuart
  • Senator Glen Sturtevant
  • Delegate Scott Taylor
  • Senator Frank Wagner

A small business owner, former Army Ranger, and former Prince William County narcotics detective, Senator Reeves represents the 17th District in the Virginia Senate and is currently serving his second term in the General Assembly. The 17th District includes the City of Fredericksburg and the Counties of Albemarle (part), Culpeper (part), Louisa (part), Orange, and Spotsylvania (part). Senator Reeves Chairs the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services, in addition to sitting on the Committees on Courts of Justice, General Laws and Technology, Rules, and Privileges and Elections, for which he Chairs the Subcommittee on Certificate, Oath and Confirmation Review. Senator Reeves resides in Spotsylvania County with his wife Anne and their two children.

The Washington Post [1] reported this on Senator Reeves:

“Reeves kicks off his run fresh off a victory that has endeared him to his party’s gun-rights advocates while also strengthening his reputation as someone who can bridge partisan divides.

He recently brokered a compromise over guns with the McAuliffe administration. The resulting legislation greatly expands the right to carry concealed weapons in Virginia in exchange for voluntary background checks at gun shows and tougher restrictions on domestic abusers.

“You can be a principled conservative and still get things done,” Reeves said at his announcement. “You don’t have to lob a grenade over the other side? What you have to do is think tactically.”

Senator Reeves’ biggest achievement of the year has been the reciprocity agreement that was negotiated between the Governor and the General Assembly on concealed handgun permits. Senator Reeves has also been busy this year submitting multiple bills in the General Assembly.  [2] He holds high legislative scores [3] from the Virginia Association of Realtors (100%), Virginia FREE (86%), NFIB (100%), Virginia Citizen’s Defense League (100%), NRA (93%), and the Family Foundation (100%).

This announcement came shortly after his colleague, Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel announced her candidacy in the Richmond Times Dispatch [4] this weekend. Former RPV Finance Chairman Pete Snyder is considering another run for LG. Danny Vargas [5] is considering a run for Lieutenant Governor. Delegate Scott Taylor was running, but has since put his race on hold to run for Congress. Also, it is speculated that failed US Senate candidate Shak Hill or failed LG candidate EW Jackson may run also.

Senator Reeves is not only a very accomplished legislator with a conservative record, the man is an electoral powerhouse. Most of our readers will remember that Senator Reeves only won his first election by less than 500 votes. Senator Reeves worked hard to make sure that never happened again. After raising a huge sum in the 1st quarter Finance Report [6] during last year’s General Assembly election cycle, his opponent just dropped out [7]. He then handily defeated the new opponent with 62% of the vote.  [8] He now also has over $300,000 cash on hand [9] in his Senate campaign account. Any person that can switch a district from just barely 51% to 62% is either a miracle worker or a fantastic elected official. 

Bryce has also worked hard for Senator Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign, serving as Senator Rubio’s Virginia Co-Chair [10]. Senator Reeves brought conservative bonafide credentials to Senator Rubio’s Virginia efforts and in return he got to stump across the state with Rubio. [11]

Senator Reeves is a thoughly electable conservative powerhouse. It will be interesting to see this campaign unfold.