Eric Cantor's 2013 Republican Roundup #1 ... faces in the crowd

7th District Chairman Linwood Cobb

 Mike Thomas and Ray Allen

Matt Wells

Former Lieutenant Governor John Hager. The LG's son Henry is married to Jenna Bush which makes him in-laws with former President George W. Bush, and grandpa to Mila.

 Former Virginia First Lady Susan Allen

The annual Thomas family Roundup photo ... Alec, Mike, Ashley.

Michael Lowry

Kristi Way

Chesterfield County Republican Committee Chairman Donald Williams with his wife Nancy.

Linwood's daughter with granddaughter Charlotte

Mike Wade

Bretiss Zacek

Grandpa and Charlotte   :)

Hanover County Supervisor Angela Kelly-Wiecek and family

BBQ, speeches, campaign signs, fall decor, the Royal Blue band from the Shenandoah Valley ... must be the annual Eric Cantor and the 7th District Republican Roundup.

On Saturday Republicans gathered for the 9th Roundup on a 90-degree day at Richmond's Snagajob Pavilion with over 5,000 attending the free family event. Brock's BBQ provides food -- BBQ sandwiches, hotdogs, baked beans, coleslaw, desserts. While adults enjoy the free beer and wine, children have cotton candy, popcorn, and the bouncy houses as well as face painting, miniature train, and other entertainment.

Republican candidates are always on hand -- this year it was the top three on the ticket -- plus local electeds, past electeds, and committee chairs. Former Congressman Tom Bliley was on hand who was my congressman while growing up in Chesterfield. When Rep. Bliley retired, Eric Cantor, born and raised in Richmond of immigrant parents who escaped  ran for and won the 7th congressional seat.

In an article I wrote in the Washington Examiner in 2010, there's more to Eric Cantor than meets the eye:

He was born and raised in Virginia's Henrico County outside Richmond, talks with a soft southern accent, is known for his endless energy, worked with fellow Republicans Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy to recruit Young Guns to bring the Party back to its conservative roots, co-authored the Young Guns book, and was number two on the 2010 Jewish Daily Forward 50 list of prominent Jewish achievers just behind Google founder Sergey Brin.

Sadly, Congressman Cantor was not able to attend this year's event, the first time he has missed, because Congress was in session Saturday working on the current financial issue and government shutdown.

It was another successful event for the 7th District. Thanks to all who had a hand in pulling it all together.

See also:
- Photos #2 - Susan Allen
- Photos #3 - Mike Thomas
- Photos #4 - Linwood Cobb
- Photos #5 - fun, games, people

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
October 5, 2013