My thoughts: Gillespie concedes but close race damaged Warner during Va. U.S. Senate race

In a race that had been too close to call for three days, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ed Gillespie conceded Friday afternoon to Senator Mark Warner who will serve his second six-year term in Washington.

Gillespie came out of nowhere to surprise political....(continue reading here)

Gillespie exit poll was spot on

Tuesday evening at 6:30 the Gillespie campaign posted on Facebook.... (continue reading here)

Gillespie's statement on canvassing process

On Wednesday, Ed Gillespie issued the following statement on the canvassing process in Virginia.... (continue reading here)

VPAP update on certifying U.S. Senate race

VPAP has the latest information about certifying the results from Virginia’s U.S. Senate race.... (continue reading here)

Lee Talley: ‘I am a dad and I’m voting for Ed Gillespie’

By Lee Talley

I am dad to the greatest privilege and hero I know in one Mr. Harry Talley. My son struggles daily with Autism. He’s come a long way since first being diagnosed. Many families in the Commonwealth of Virginia also struggle with this epidemic. It now affects 1 in 68 children in the United States.

I endorse Ed Gillespie for one reason alone. He stands for the opportunity.... (continue reading here)

President George W. Bush surprises Gillespie’s ‘G-Force’ phone conference

“Thanks for the chance to speak with the mighty G-Force!”

With those words, President George W. Bush joined in as the special guest on an Ed Gillespie campaign phone conference Tuesday night, one week before Election Day 2014. In characteristic GWB style, he was funny.... (continue reading here)

LynnRMitchell.com endorsement: Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate

LynnRMitchell.com Editorial

LynnRMitchell.com enthusiastically endorses Republican candidate Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate 2014. His vision for the Commonwealth has re-energized Virginia’s citizens who have felt unrepresented by incumbent Mark Warner and, in the gridlock that is Washington politics, Mr. Gillespie brings fresh ideas with his proposed EG2 economic plan for Virginia. He is positive and optimistic, and has carried that upbeat attitude on the campaign trail with his belief that “the old normal is the new mediocre. We can do better.”  (continue reading here)

Gillespie runs ad during Monday Night Football, suggests jobs, economy more important than Reid’s bill to change Redskins name

Boom. The Gillespie for U.S. Senate campaign ran a great ad during Monday night’s football game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys.

In a smack-down to Senator Mark Warner’s rubber-stamping of....(Video, continue reading here)

Sabato: ‘This is not a good development for Mark Warner’

Since Monday night’s debate between Mark Warner and Ed Gillespie that the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin called Warner’s debate from hell and noting that Gillespie had drawn blood, Warner has ducked from reporters and is keeping a low profile while Puckettgate continues to grow.


On Wednesday night.... (continue reading here)

October surprise for Mark Warner? Game changer for Virginia?

Fallout from the former Democratic State Senator Phil Puckett case in the Virginia General Assembly seems to have now hit U.S. Senator Mark Warner (see Warner discussed job for Puckett’s daughter by Laura Vozzella in the Washington Post).

October surprise? Game changer for Virginia’s.... (Continue reading here)

Mark Warner, Ed Gillespie meet at Shad Planking ... and Bob Brown catches it in classic political photo

One of the best photos taken during Wednesday's historic Shad Planking showed Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner laughing as he greets a laughing Republican Ed Gillespie who is seeking to boot him out of the seat, so to speak. Under the pines in Wakefield, Warner was wearing a blue long-sleeve Oxford shirt while Gillespie was dressed in a blue shirt and navy jacket. No ties on either.

The picture was captured by photographer Bob Brown who has done it again with his photography  magic. Classic. Kudos to Brown and the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The photo can be found on page B-1 of the Metro section in hard copy. The online version can be found here.

It wasn't unusual to hear that the two senate candidates kept it "clean and cordial, " according to RTD political reporter Jim Nolan who has an account of the day's activities and sightings ("Politicians walk the Shad plank").  That's what the Shad planking is all about:

In its early days the event functioned as a political Miss America pageant for the Byrd Democratic machine, where groups of white men in coats and ties would gather to look over candidates and decide the slates for local and statewide offices.

Over the years, the shad has stayed the same — cooked over a fire on wooden planks by members of the Wakefield Ruritan Club. But the event has evolved to be more inclusive and bipartisan, reflecting a diversity that has Democrats in U.Va. baseball caps sipping red Solo cups next to cigar-smoking Republicans.

“It’s much more relaxed,” said [former Governor George] Allen. “It’s not pretentious. People from all over Virginia go to it and they get together, and you can talk to people and they can look you in the eye and ask questions, and follow up questions,” he said. “It’s the way politics ought to be.”

Politics and fish and beer, and a way to remember it. Love that photo, Bob Brown....

Ed Gillespie announces campaign finance committee

Press release from the Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate campaign....

The Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign announced today its Virginia finance committee and co-chairs. A full list of the finance committee membership is available below. Bill Goodwin, Fred Malek, Senator Jeff McWaters and Steve Smith will serve as co-chairs.

Speaking about the announcement, Finance Committee Member Juan Pablo Segura said, “Ed Gillespie has the right ideas for creating opportunities, spurring job growth and letting our private sector businesses reach their potential. The members of his finance committee are committed to making sure he can share his message with Virginians.”

Jane Abraham said, “The finance committee will seek support from Republicans, Independents and Democrats who are ready for a change in course from the last five years. Ed Gillespie’s experience working his way through college, serving as a policy and communications aide in Congress and going on to serve as a White House counselor will let him be effective from the start in getting things done in the Senate.”

Bill Goodwin said, “Many Virginians believe that the United States Senate has not demonstrated the leadership necessary for our country in order to provide balanced financial stability, economic growth and, in particular, jobs for our citizens. I believe Ed Gillespie possesses the leadership capabilities to help the Senate find solutions to many of the issues that face our country today.”

Virginia Finance Committee Co-Chairs
William H. Goodwin, Jr., Richmond
Fred Malek, McLean
Senator Jeff McWaters, Virginia Beach
Steve Smith, Abingdon

Virginia Finance Committee Members
The Honorable and Mrs. Spencer Abraham
Stan F. Baldwin
Charlie & Mari Ann Banks
Honorable and Mrs. William P. Barr
Kirk & Kristen Blalock
Tom and Carol Boyd
Reg Brown
Jim Carter
Hon. Thelma Drake
John and Anne Hazel, Jr.
Everett and Robin Hellmuth
William B. Holtzman
Marc and Emily Lampkin
Leonard Leo
Marlene Malek
Steve McMillin
Dan and Ellen Meyer
David & Laurie Norcross
Jon Peterson
Dan & Sonia Runde
Juan Pablo Segura
Tom Snead
Pete Snyder
John Tickle
John D. Whitlock
Wyatt Winslow

www.EdforSenate.com

Gillespie rakes in record $2.2 million in first quarter fundraising

Ed Gillespie's Facebook message said it all: "More than $2.2 million raised." It's a monumental milestone for the Republican going up against incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Warner for a number of reasons.

• 3 out of 5 individual donors are from Virginia.
• The median donation amount was $500.
• There were 827 donations of $100 or less totaling nearly $40,000.
• Donors reside in 89 of Virginia’s 133 counties and independent cities.
• The $2.2 million raised by the Gillespie Campaign in part of the first quarter is more than any other non-incumbent Republican Senate campaign
• 15 Gillespie donors had previously given to Mark Warner

Today's numbers prove that not only is Gillespie capable of raising impressive amounts of money but he is also able to chip away at Warner's polling numbers, holding him beneath 50 percent in the last two polls. Gillespie's high name recognition in political circles is playing out in his quest for the Republican nomination and confirms he is the only one in the field of four candidates who can make a serious run against Warner.

Gillespie's campaign manager Chris Levitt commented about the fundraising total:

“In less than a full quarter, the Gillespie campaign raised more money than any other Republican Senate challenger in the country. Virginia voters know that they have an opportunity not only to replace a Senator who’s voted 97 percent of the time with President Obama, but to replace Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader. Our first quarter report shows strong support from across the Commonwealth and reflects enthusiasm for Ed Gillespie’s plans to put Virginians first and unleash job creation.

“In addition to having the funds to take our message to all Virginians, the Gillespie campaign has absorbed an overwhelming amount of support from grassroots activists, college students, and even independents who supported Mark Warner in 2008. Ed has been publicly endorsed by 49 of the 83 voting members of the RPV State Central Committee members and 51 unit chairs from around the Commonwealth. With unemployment among 20-24 year-olds continuing to be in the double digits, we have seen young people and college students flock to Ed’s message of growth and opportunity. Over the last five years, Virginians have seen a stagnant economy with work hours cut, too few jobs, higher energy prices, skyrocketing health care premiums and policy after policy from Mark Warner and President Obama that makes the problem worse. They know that Ed will be effective on day one to take us in a better direction.”

The Republican state convention to determine the U.S. Senate candidate will be held in Roanoke on Saturday, June 7.

Ed Gillespie holds Warner below 50 percent in second poll

Ed Gillespie last week on the campaign trail in Roanoke.

In the latest poll, this one from PPP/MoveOn.org, there is more good news for Republican Ed Gillespie as Virginia Democratic U.S. Senator Mark Warner once again polls below 50 percent.

Political strategist Glen Bolger commented that "while we do not typically highlight PPP polls, these results are noteworthy for what they say about Mark Warner’s rapidly eroding standing with the Virginia electorate."

A March 27 Quinnipiac Poll came up with similar results and noted that the political atmosphere in Virginia is toxic this year for Democrats. Mark Warner's Achilles heel has been, and continues, to be his vote and support for Obamacare.

Bolger pointed out the following from the Public Policy Poll which traditionally leans Democratic:

Mark Warner continues to operate in the danger zone for a well-known incumbent by failing to capture 50% on the ballot. He is additionally underperforming among several key groups. Warner trails among Independents (39%-41%), 30-45 year olds (35%-48%), and even among Hispanics (34%-39%). Twenty percent (20%) of Independents are undecided, and historically, Independents tend to break for the challenger.

 Bolger concludes:

The political environment continues to look bleak for Senator Mark Warner. He is struggling on the ballot among several key midterm groups versus a challenger who is not yet well-known. The Democrats have also overestimated their hand on Medicaid expansion. Not only do the numbers prove less than inspiring for Democrats in Richmond, they are hampering Mark Warner's re-election as well.

Last week's Quinnipiac poll elicited a similar response from the political strategist:

Senator Mark Warner faces a tough political environment in his fight for a second term. Frustration with the president and his administration are significant factors in Warner’s underwhelming showing on the ballot test, as is Warner’s support for Obamacare, which a majority of Virginia voters oppose. In an already-difficult year for Democrats due to those factors and more, Warner’s 46% on the ballot is a dangerous baseline heading into the November election.

Gillespie continues to crisscross Virginia on his campaign to become the Republican nominee, stopping last week in Roanoke before continuing on to Virginia Beach and the Republican Women's convention. It is generally expected that he will win at the upcoming GOP state convention although last year's free-for-all convention proved anything can and will happen in these closed events. Considered by UVa's Dr. Larry Sabato as a long shot for beating Warner, the polling numbers show that Warner is vulnerable, something Republicans plan to take advantage of in their question to chip away at Democratic office holders.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 4, 2014

Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate ... Roanoke stop on the campaign trail

 Ed Gillespie and Trixie Averill 

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ed Gillespie was in Roanoke Friday delivering remarks to about 65 Republicans who gathered at the Plantation on Sunnybrook to hear about his candidacy for the nomination at the state GOP convention that will be held on Saturday, June 6, in Roanoke. Many thanks to Trixie for organizing the lunch.

 Wendell Walker, 6th Congressional District Chair, and Roger Jarrell, Lexington-Rockbridge Unit Chair.

Fred Anderson, former 6th Congressional District chair (left).

Delegate Greg Habeeb with the beard he's growing until the budget impasse is resolved in Richmond.

Trixie Averill, Ed Gillespie, and Dr. Ed Lynch at lunch talking about cruises. Dr. Lynch teaches at Hollins College in Roanoke.

Fred Anderson offered the invocation.

Roger and Trixie

Tucker Davis with the Gillespie campaign in the 9th Congressional District.

Dan Webb with Congressman Bob Goodlatte's staff.

As Ed spoke, Trixie clicked and posted to Facebook. I did a bit of posting on Facebook, too, throughout the event.

Many familiar faces were there ... Molly and Larry Koon, Tucker Davis, Dr. Ed Lynch, Pete Larsen, Wendell Walker, Kathy Hayden, Roger Jarrell, Fred and Ann Anderson, Greg Habeeb, several elected officials, and many others.

The Plantation on Sunnybrook

Ed Gillespie is living the American dream. His father came to this country from Ireland because he found work here as a janitor. Ed grew up working in his parents’ grocery store. He went to college, is married, and has three children.

"I got to grow up to be Counselor to the President of the United States of America!" he said at Friday's lunch, and the words seemed incredulous to him even as he said them. After serving as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, he had been called to the White House during the administration of President George W. Bush.

Gillespie is a political consultant who has served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, worked with Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, worked with Dick Armey, Newt Gingrich, John Kasich, Elizabeth Dole, George Allen, and Bob McDonnell. He also worked with Karl Rove to get Republicans elected. Read more about his background here.

He highlighted issues and opportunities, noting that years ago he started out parking cars in the congressional garage in D.C. -- running now gives him the chance to go from the parking lot to the Senate floor in the Capitol. He emphasized he is interested in seeing policies that will make life better, that he wants to be a candidate for all Virginians, a servant for all Virginians.


Gillespie became chairman of RPV while I was on State Central Committee; he advised George W. Bush, Bob McDonnell, and other men that I have admired throughout the years. I like what he's done. His leadership has helped Republicans win ... he has advised elected Republicans ... he has been very effective at raising money. He has my vote.


Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
April 4, 2014

Former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Armey endorses Ed Gillespie, Quinnipiac poll shows Warner is vulnerable

Conservative leader Dick Armey has joined the growing list of those endorsing Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate. The former Texas Republican Congressman, who served as House Majority Leader from 1995-2003, publicly came out for Gillespie on Thursday: I first met Eddie Gillespie in 1985 when he came to work for me in my first month in office as a newly-elected member of congress. His hard work and leadership were critical to the success of the 1994 Republican Revolution and our subsequent legislative victories, like balancing the budget and passing welfare reform. I know Ed will bring those same skills to the table as Virginia’s next senator, which is why I’m supporting him all the way. With a nod to Gillespie's longtime leadership in the Republican Party, Armey continued: If you take a look at conservative victories of the last twenty years, you’ll see the fruits of Ed’s labors. From the groundbreaking Contract with America to President Bush’s historic re-election in 2004 to the Republicans winning control of state legislatures in 2010, Ed has been at the center of these successes. Conservatives in Virginia have a real opportunity this November. Ed has the principles and the experience necessary to defeat Mark Warner, who has gone to Washington and voted 97% of the time with President Obama, including his critical vote for Obamacare. Since leaving Congress in 2003, I’ve been working on advancing conservative solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges. This has included founding Freedom Works, one of the nation’s top conservative grassroots organizations. Trust me, I know conservatives--and Ed Gillespie is one of us. Quinnipiac just released a new poll that shows Virginia's Senator Mark Warner ahead by only 15 points when in a head-to-head contest with Gillespie, numbers that show the very popular Warner is vulnerable because of the unpopularity of Obamacare. With a little over seven months left until the November election, the poll showed Warner at 46 percent, Gillespie at 31 percent, and Robert Sarvis at 6 percent. An analysis of the poll by Glen Bolger with Public Opinion Strategies can be found at www.edforsenate.com.

Eric Cantor's Young Guns of the GOP ride into Richmond: 2014 breakfast draws 1,700 to annual event

Congressman and House  Majority Leader Eric Cantor at Tuesday's annual breakfast where he hosted 1,700 attendees in an exhibition hall at the Richmond Center. The popular breakfast, a who's who of Virginia Republicans and the third largest Republican event in the Commonwealth, has grown in size over the years and will no longer fit in the ballrooms. The only two events larger are the Republican Convention and Eric Cantor's annual Republican Roundup held each fall in Henrico.

Congressman Cantor was joined by another of the GOP's Young Guns, Congressman Paul Ryan, who brought his conservative ideas to breakfast. The Congressional Young Guns -- Cantor, Ryan, and Kevin McCarthy -- came together in 2000 to help recruit and pull in new candidates and people to bring in fresh ideas. Those candidates believed in a small federal government, economic freedom, encouraging small business without additional government oversight, individual freedom -- supporting Americans as they pursue and build their dreams -- with common sense solutions to America's problems. Campaigning and working hard, 62 of their Young Gun recruits won seats in the House, flipping it to a Republican majority.

Congressman Paul Ryan, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, joked, "The 2012 election didn't go quite as we planned," to laughter from the crowd. He went on to say that Republicans cannot just be the party of "no" ... they have to be the party of new ideas and ways to implement those ideas. Republicans, he said, need to show they belong in leadership. He noted that, while Obamacare is not the answer to the nation's health woes, the GOP has an alternative that would prove to be more affordable. In a nod to the Commonwealth, Ryan said, "A Virginian gave us the Declaration of Independence ... that has made us the most free society on earth."

Ryan was complimentary of Cantor. "Eric Cantor is more than just your Congressman," he said. "He's a conservative who knows how to lead. It's easy to be a sayer ... it's harder to be a do-er. He's a do-er who can actually move our country forward. Eric Cantor is an effective conservative. He's such an effective conservative that 233 people in congress unanimously reelected him to be Majority Leader in Congress. We know his principles. He's smart and can get things done." Quite an endorsement from a fellow congressman, and quite a compliment for Virginia.

Linwood Cobb, Chairman of the 7th Congressional District, opened the event, welcomed everyone, and introduced his friend, Congressman Cantor. Linwood, one of the most successful Republican Congressional District chairmen in Virginia, is running for re-election at the 7th District Convention on May 10, 2014. I would urge those in the 7th to become a delegate to support Linwood who is a proven fund raiser, organizer, and works extremely hard for the Republican Party. He does what many cannot -- he has candidates who WIN.

Delegate Barbara Comstock, candidate for the 10th Congressional District, offered the invocation.

Linwood with former Lieutenant Governor John Hager.

Andrew Vehorn and Jim Hoeft

Jason Kenney

The Virginia College Republicans were there including Kelly Myers and Matt Wertman. There was also a large group of students from Henrico's Deep Run High School.

Jason and Jim hard at work.

Plates of hearty breakfast foods were wheeled out while waiting for Eric Cantor and Paul Ryan to speak.

Aaron Gulbransen of Cigar Association of Virginia fame.

Ed Gillespie was surrounded by enthusiastic supporters after festivities wrapped up. Mr. Gillespie is running for the Republican nomination to take on U.S. Senator Mark Warner in November.

Delegate Comstock was also surrounded as she greeted those in the crowd after breakfast.

Mike Thomas, Linwood, former Lt. Governor John Hager (Milas granddad!).

Linwood, Judi Lynch, John Hager, and friends.

Jon Comer, chairman of the Page County Republicans.

There were many familiar faces including Kristi Way, Judi Lynch, Mike Wade, Melissa Nelson, Marie Quinn, and a number of elected officials in town for the 2014 General Assembly session. More than 80 businesses sponsored tables including some of the most recognizable names in Richmond and the Commonwealth. Media was represented as well as bloggers Jason Kenney, Jim Hoeft, Flint Engleman, and myself.

More coverage can be found at:
- Lynn R. Mitchell: The Young Guns of the GOP
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: GOP must do more than oppose
- Bearing Drift: Cantor calls for Va to resist Obamacare expansion

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
February 25, 2014

Four GOP candidates file to seek nomination to run against Mark Warner

Four candidates filed by the 5:00 p.m. deadline on Saturday, February 1, 2014, to seek the Republican nomination for U.S Senate. The election, to be held in November, will pit the Republican against Democratic incumbent Mark Warner.

Besides submitting the necessary paperwork, a filing fee of $6,900 was required.

The four candidates, in order of filing, are:

- Edward "Ed" Gillespie, of Alexandria, a communications consultant, former White House aide, and former chairman of the Republican National Committee.

- Anthony "Tony" DeTora, of Fredericksburg, a senior policy adviser for a member of Congress.

- Wayshak "Shak" Hill, of Centreville, retired Air Force pilot and financial planning consultant.

- Charles "Chuck" Moss, of Nokesville, owner of a small network consulting business.

The Republican Convention will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2014, in Roanoke. Go to the Republican Party of Virginia website for more details.

Ed Gillespie responds to Howie Lind's decision to withdraw from GOP U.S. Senate race

Howie Lind removed his name from the Republican race for U.S. Senate to challenge the seat now held by Democrat Mark Warner.

Republican front-runner Ed Gillespie issued the following statement upon that news:

“I’ve enjoyed spending time with Howie Lind over the past few weeks as we’ve both pursued the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Mark Warner.  I’m proud to call him a friend, appreciate his service to our nation and our party, and hope all the best for him in the future.”

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Ed Gillespie joins Mitt Romney campaign

It was announced last week that Mitt Romney's presidential campaign added Ed Gillespie as a senior advisor.

Gillespie has worked with many campaigns over the years. He served as Republican National Committee Chairman as well as taking over as Republican Party of Virginia chairman in 2006. He left that position in 2007 to join President George W. Bush's administration. In 2009, he was part of the team that helped Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell lead the Republican sweep one year after Barack Obama took over the White House.

Mitt Romney is the Republican front runner in the presidential campaign, seeking the nomination to go up against Barack Obama in the general election in November.