Lynchburg Voters League, Virginia Democratic Activists Endorse McAuliffe for Governor

Gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe was today endorsed by the Lynchburg Voters League, a historically African American organization focused on voters' rights. Citing McAuliffe's grassroots campaign and his record or working to involve new and diverse groups in the electoral process, the group named McAuliffe the best candidate to represent the Democratic Party and beat Bob McDonnell in November.

"We have been incredibly impressed by Terry's grassroots focus and his serious effort to listen to and involved Virginians in his campaign," said Rev. Dr. James E. Coleman, Jr., Vice President of the Lynchburg Voters League. "That focus on grassroots campaigning was what put Barack Obama in the White House last November, and a grassroots campaign is the only option for Democrats this year if we want to keep our state blue. Terry is the only candidate with a statewide organization and the only candidate the can beat Bob McDonnell."

Also today, nearly 20 Democratic activists from across the Commonwealth, including Young Democrats, local officials, and Obama volunteers, offered their endorsement of McAuliffe.

"Over the last several elections, I have watched Virginia turn blue, and I have seen all the hard work that Democrats young and old have put into making that happen," said Norfolk City Council Member Daun Hester. "This year, we have to make sure that we don't cede those gains. Virginian families need a common-sense Democratic governor now more than ever. We've got to get Virginia's economy back on track and ensure that we aren't leaving any Virginians behind."

The full list of those endorsing follows below.

Andy Cerillo - Secretary, Sully District Democrats
Ariel Gonzalez - Alexandria Young Democrats, Executive Board Member
Kevin Bailey - Alexandria Young Democrats, Executive Board Member
Gabe Morgan - Sheriff, Newport News
Alexander Palmer - Vice President, Norfolk Area Young Democrats
Curt Hazel - Parlimentarian, Newport News Democratic Committee
Nancy McPherson - Activist Member, Chesapeake Democratic Committee
Andrea James - Executive Board Member, Alexandria Young Democrats
Adam Osterman - Executive Board Member, Alexandria Young Democrats
Patrick Austin - Former Obama Field Organizer, Norfolk
Wally Cotten - Former Chair, Suffolk Veterans & Military Families for Obama
Jen Little - Member, Mathews County School Board and DPVA Central Committee, 1st CD
Tony Barney - Sterling District Chair, Loudoun County Democratic Committee and 10th CDDC Member
Andrea Lyons - Activist Young Democrat, Chesterfield
Marrett Ceo - Vice President, Loudoun County Young Democrats
Rebecca Grandi - Former Chair, Virginia Beach Democratic Committee
Lovely Lall - Loudoun County Democratic Committee, Balls Bluff Precinct Captain
Daun Hester - City Council Member and Former Vice Mayor, Norfolk

Tags: democrats, endorsement, endorsements, grassroots, lynchburg voters league, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, young democrats

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Radio Ad Featuring President Clinton

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new radio ad highlighting his experience and widespread support from Virginia organizations and Democratic leaders, including President Bill Clinton.

"It makes a difference who the Governor is. It makes a difference what the policies are and I am telling you Terry McAuliffe was made for this moment in history," President Clinton says in the ad. "He's got more energy than anybody I've ever met, he's relentlessly positive and he really cares about people like you.

The radio ad will run on adult urban contemporary, gospel, and religious radio stations in the Norfolk and Richmond media markets. It was produced by Potomac Waves, a minority-owned and operated media consulting firm based in Washington, DC.

The ad can be heard here.

Tags: ads, bill clinton, clinton, democratic leaders, democrats, macker, mcauliffe, norfolk, president clinton, radio ad, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

McAuliffe Campaign Releases New Radio Ad Featuring will.i.am

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe released a new radio ad highlighting his support from Grammy award winning hip-hop artist and Democratic activist will.i.am. McAuliffe and will.i.am have known each other since 2004 and have worked together on many Democratic efforts.

"If you know Terry then you know how contagious his energy is, so when he asked me to join him and the Democratic party to reach out to young people, I didn't have to think twice," will.i.am says in the ad.

"Terry gets that families are struggling, that it's tough to pay for college and find a job. That's why his plan will help create thousands of jobs here in Virginia. Now I'm asking you to step up, get out and vote for terry McAuliffe on June 9th. Believe me, I know he's gonna bring the energy and I know your vote for Terry will bring the change we need to Richmond."

The ad "Step Up" will run on stations in the Richmond, and Norfolk media markets. It can be heard here.

Tags: ads, democrats, macker, mcauliffe, radio, richmond, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, will.i.am

McAuliffe Campaign Announces Endorsements from Virginia Blogger, Commonwealth Democratic Leaders

Today, gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe received the endorsement of Virginia blogger Ben Tribbett and former lieutenant governor candidate Jon Bowerbank, as well as Democratic leaders from across the state.

The McAuliffe campaign this morning released a video from Tribbett announcing his endorsement of McAuliffe's candidacy and discussing his support.

That video can also be found here.

Tribbett runs the blog Not Larry Sabato, the most widely read political blog in the Commonwealth. McAuliffe has previously been endorsed by the three co-founders of the Draft Jim Webb movement, bloggers Lee Diamond, Josh Chernila, and Lowell Feld.

Former lieutenant governor candidate Jon Bowerbank, citing McAuliffe's experience and leadership, elaborated on his endorsement in a statement to the campaign. "Terry's got big ideas for Virginia's future and I believe he's got the experience to deliver-- on job creation and making our Commonwealth a leader on green technologies," said Bowerbank. "At a time when so many families across the Commonwealth are struggling, Terry can help bring people from across the Commonwealth together to get our economy back on track. I look forward to working with him, and I strongly endorse his candidacy for Governor."

The full list of those endorsing today follows:

Carol Johanningsmeier - 1st Vice Chair, Suffolk Democratic Committee

Dan Sullivan, USMC LtCol (Ret.) - Virginia Beach Democratic Activist and Committee Member

Juston Hugue - President of the Tidewater Community College Young Democrats, Chesapeake Campus

Princess Maribal - Outreach Chair, Loudoun County Young Democrats

Chris Mayer - Central Committee Member and former chair, York County

Frank Schubauer - Activist Democratic Committee Member, Newport News

Larry Henderson - Former Chair, Hampton Veterans & Military Families for Obama

Sandra Engelhardt - Central Committee Member, Newport News, 1st CD

Donyata S. Washington - Virginia Children's Rights Advocate and Community Activist, Norfolk

Cheryl McNeal - Obama Organizing Fellow, Williamsburg

Tiffany Gibson - President, Old Dominion University Young Democrats

Aaron Lyles - President, Roanoke Valley Young Democrats

Amanda Black McBreen - Co-founder, Blue Star Families for Obama

Tags: ben tribbett, blogger, democrats, endorsements, jon bowerbank, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Virginia Democrats Endorse Terry McAuliffe for Governor

Today, more than two dozen Democratic leaders from Loudoun and across the Commonwealth endorsed Terry McAuliffe for Governor, citing his strong grassroots campaign and his ideas for getting the economy back on track.

"Over the past eight years, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have shown what Democrats can accomplish in Virginia," said Bob Moses, Loudoun County Democrats Vice Chair. "Now, as we work through these difficult times, we're going to need another leader who can infuse new ideas into Richmond and get our economy back on track. Not only does Terry have the experience to lead us, he has the energy to put ideas into action. I saw that energy just this past weekend at the Loudoun Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, and I look forward to seeing that energy behind the governor's desk."

Added Loudoun County Young Democrats President Robert Latham, "As a Young Democrat, I know that Virginians of my generation are looking for someone who will help them to get an education in Virginia, find a job in Virginia, build a home in Virginia, and raise a family here. We are looking for a governor who is going to make this Commonwealth the most opportunity-friendly state in the country, so that we can feel confident building our futures here. Terry McAuliffe will be that governor."

A full list of those endorsing today follows:

Bob Moses - Vice Chair, Loudoun County Democrats
Ellen Heald - Vice Chair, Loudoun County Democrats
Erinn Beckner - Communication and Events Chair, Loudoun County Young Democrats
Eula Tate - Old Mill Precinct Captain, Sully District Democrats
Mari Anne Bowen - Co-Chair, Dulles District, Loudon County Democratic Committee
Mary Lee Cerillo - Chair of the Sully District Democrats, Fairfax County Democratic Committee and national delegate for Obama
Pravin Gandhi - Chair, Broad Run District, Loudoun County Democratic Committee
Robert Latham - President of Loudoun County Young Democrats
Emily Blakemore - Campaign and Party Coordinator for the University Democrats at the University of Virginia
Gordon A. Koerner - Democratic Committeeman, Nelson County
Lena Witek - Development Coordinator for the University Democrats at the University of Virginia
Bob Dotzler - Vice Chair, Chesapeake Democratic Committee
Bob Rawls - President of the Norfolk Federation of Civic Leagues
Brandon Carr - Vice President of the Regent University Young Democrats
Heather Carr - President of the Regent University Young Democrats
Letitia Edwards - Treasurer, Chesapeake Democratic Committee
Linda Dagley - Vice Chair, Norfolk Democratic Committee, 89th District
Pat Okerlund - Chair, Chesapeake for Change
Ron Henderson - Chair of Isle of Wight Committee
Annie Giles - Richmond Community Activist
Otis Mallory - President, Clopton-Broadrock Civic Association
Devontae Green - President, Hampton Young Democrats
Dottie Holtz - Virginia Beach Democratic Activist and Committee Member
Carol Shrader - Virginia Beach Democratic Activist and Committee Member
Stephanie Welch - Former Organizer, Norfolk Veterans & Military Families for Obama

Tags: democratic leaders, democrats, endorsements, grassroots, loudoun, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, young democrats

Weekly Blog Roundup 4/3/09

Welcome to another installment of our weekly blog roundup. This week, bloggers took note of Terry's growing momentum, with new endorsements and the announcement of new ideas. Terry is taking a stand and raising the bar in this race.

Rachel Weiner at The Huffington Post discussed comments made by Mike Huckabee promoting voter suppression tactics. While campaigning for Bob McDonnell this week, Huckabee told a crowd of Republicans that if they know people who aren’t going to vote for Bob, it’s their job to “Let the air out of their tires” and “keep ‘em home.”

McDonnell's fans laughed, but Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe isn't amused. He sent a letter to his own supporters highlighting Huckabee's comments. "People died for the right to vote in this country," he writes, "and we have to protect it."

Lowell at Blue Virginia praised Terry for calling for a ban on payday lenders in Virginia.

In contrast to Moran and Deeds, McAuliffe "wants Virginia to join about a dozen states and prohibit the lenders altogether." On this one, I'm strongly with Terry McAuliffe. This also points out how being in Richmond for a long time can be problematic, as I strongly believe that the entire system in our state's capital is corrupted by money from special interests and big corporations (e.g., Dominion Power, the payday lending industry). I also strongly believe it's time for change in the culture of Richmond, and think we're most likely to see that from someone who hasn't BEEN in Richmond for much of their adult life.

Joel McDonald wrote a great post at Virginia Beach Progressives, highlighting how important it is that Democrats keep their eye on the ball. There is a stark difference between the Democratic candidates in this race, who all want to grow our economy and create jobs, and Bob McDonnell, who wants to roll back the progress we've made with Governors Warner and Kaine.

So let’s come together and focus on each candidates positive qualities that will aid them in beating Bob McDonnell in November. People will respond to the positive more easily than the negative. Let’s generate positive buz in areas that McDonnell can’t. Let’s build up each of our potential nominees so that no matter who wins, a solid foundation for a win in November is built. Let’s focus on winning.

At Blue Virginia Lowell also reported on Terry’s call for prohibiting gifts and trips from lobbyists for legislators and executive-branch officials.

McAuliffe, a McLean resident and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also proposed a state-run "sunshine Web site" -- similar to one operated by the nonprofit Virginia Public Access Project -- as a clearinghouse for data on political fundraising and related legislative activity. It's about time somebody in Virginia proposed these measures. Right now, the amount of money and free goodies from the lobbyists who swarm over Richmond is completely out of control.

At New Dominion Project, Bryan reported on Terry’s endorsement from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Enployees (AFSCME). He noted Terry’s commitment to working families in Virginia.

Since Terry will be leading the state government and have some impact on local governments if he's elected governor, I think this is an endorsement that's worth noting... I'm therefore pleased to see that Terry is reaching out to labor's leadership.

Tags: afscme, bloggers, blogs, business plan, democrats, economy, endorsements, macker, mcdonnell, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia, weekly blog roundup

Unbelievable Enthusiasm

The enthusiasm and excitement for Terry's candidacy at the JJ last weekend was unbelievable, and I wanted to share a short video of the experience with you.

The JJ also marked the formal kickoff of our grassroots operation. We trained nearly four hundred supporters to organize on Terry's behalf - including many who volunteered their time and energy to help Barack Obama carry the Commonwealth in this past year's Presidential Election.

This campaign is about you, and we're counting on your help to make it a success.

Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, economy, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Terry McAuliffe and Supporters at the VA Dems Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, economy, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Video: Jefferson-Jackson Dinner

Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, economy, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia

Video: Jefferson-Jackson

Tags: 2009, democratic, democrats, dems, economic, governor, jefferson-jackson, jj, jobs, macker, mcauliffe, t-mac, terry, terry mcauliffe, va-gov, virginia