Republican Party of Virginia: Moran Comes to Kaine’s Rescue, While Republicans Unite Behind McDonnell-Bolling

FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA

May 07, 2008

CONTACT: Josh Noland
804-780-0111 Office ~ 804-201-1527 Cell
jnoland@rpv.org


RICHMOND – It is no secret that Brian Moran, a liberal Democrat representing Alexandria in the House of Delegates, plans on running for his party’s nomination for governor in 2009. While fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds officially became a candidate months ago, Moran has yet to announce that he is throwing his hat into the ring. The Moran campaign recently shed some light on the reason for the delay.

The Moran campaign said that it is Gov. Kaine’s lack of a legacy that is keeping the Alexandria Democrat from shifting his campaign into higher gear:

Proto-campaign officials say that Moran did not want to overshadow the General Assembly session, which could extend well into the summer. Another concern for Moran is the potential for overshadowing Gov. Tim Kaine…

“He can’t run on the Kaine legacy if he doesn’t help make it happen first," said campaign spokesman Jesse Ferguson.” (Mt. Vernon Gazette, 4/16/08, “What’s the Holdup”)

While Moran comes to Kaine’s rescue and prepares for an intra-party battle with Deeds, Republicans are coming together in support of the McDonnell-Bolling ticket for 2009. Just last week, a long list of Republican elected officials and local party leaders endorsed one of the strongest, most experienced tickets in Virginia political history:

Top leaders of the Virginia Republican Party on Wednesday endorsed Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell's bid for governor in 2009, a major step toward unifying a party that has been deeply fractured in recent elections. Even though the election is 15 months away, 50 elected and party officials signed the letter backing McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), who plans to seek reelection. (Washington Post, 5/1/08, GOP Uniting Behind McDonnell's Run for Governor)