Thursday, November 18, 2010

RPV's 2010 Advance has much to celebrate

Cross-posted at the Washington Examiner....

The stars of the Virginia Republican Party will shine at the 27th annual Donald W. Huffman Advance taking place this weekend, November 19-20, at Tysons Corner in northern Virginia.

Republican leaders and activists from throughout the Commonwealth will celebrate victories from the November elections, participate in workshops, and spend time networking with others attending the event named after former RPV Chairman Donald Huffman.

A welcoming reception hosted by Virginia's Top 3 -- Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli -- will kick off the weekend on Friday night. The official events will end Saturday night with a special gala dinner featuring guest speakers Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator, and Attorney General Cuccinelli. Time in between will be filled with everything political.

Saturday's breakfast will be headlined by 7th District Congressman Eric Cantor who is minority whip of the House and in line to become the next majority leader, and 10th District Congressman Frank Wolf. The RPV luncheon at mid-day will feature guest speakers Congressman-elect Robert Hurt who just defeated Democrat Tom Perriello in the 5th District, and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.

There will be an excitement in the air as seminars take place all Saturday with topic discussions to include health care, jobs and the economy, school choice, and taxes. Political workshops will include new media, fund raising, and information for grassroots volunteers.


Hospitality suites often signal that someone is interested in running for office or pursuing higher office, and provide an opportunity to thank activists and leaders for their hard work after a busy campaign season.

This year is no different as Friday night's lineup includes well-known names: Congressman Eric Cantor, former U.S. Senator George Allen, state Senator Mark Obenshain, Delegate Bob Marshall, former Delegate Dick Black, Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, State Board of Education appointee Dave Foster, and state senate candidate Steve Hunt from Fairfax. Organizations hosting hospitality suites include Americans for Prosperity, Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition, 10th District Republican Committee, and the House Republican Caucus.

Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins will host a hospitality suite Saturday night as will Dumfries Councilwoman Kristin Forrester.

After the historic gubernatorial win in 2009 when the GOP swept the top three offices in Virginia, and the nationwide historical wins in 2010 that saw three Virginia Democratic congressmen defeated by Republicans, there will be a celebratory air at this year's Advance. Seasoned political activists, however, know that after the weekend is over it will be time to roll up their sleeves and get back to work. In Virginia, after all, there is an election every year.

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