Thank you Shawn Walters - thank you!

The best ideas are usually the simplest - click here to read about the 3/50 project and help your local businesses and communities.

Below is part of an article from The Virginian Pilot regarding the quality of our waterways:

"Environmental groups have long pointed to the report as proof that Virginia must do more to clean up its waterways and prevent future pollution. And [in June, 2008], the Chesapeake Bay Foundation declared that the 2008 report indicates "a statewide water pollution crisis." The foundation urged state leaders to dedicate $100 million per year to clean-water programs. The General Assembly considered such a request earlier this year but balked because of economic hardships, budget cuts and other spending priorities."  Click here to read the full article.

The point I want to make as a candidate, is that as a first step we don't need to spend taxpayer money to start fixing the problem - what we need to do is enact strict legislation that prevents making the problem worse.  Elected officials have priorities in serving; the first priority is to protect citizens from tyranny and maintain liberty, the second is to spend taxpayer money wisely and tax fairly, and the third is to respect and protect our natural environment so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.  Everything else comes next.  If our representatives fail at their first three responsibilities then they should be voted out and replaced - our system of government is designed so that those who fail to adequately represent the basic duties of legislating can easily be voted out.  It's a very simple and concise system that works well when used properly.  I am asking you, regardless of district, to really consider what the basic things you ask of your legislatures are.  Are your current representatives fulfilling these duties or have they skipped the first priorities of leadership? 

The first "Grill the Candidate Night" will be Thursday, October 1st at 6pm at Raven's Nest in Culpeper, Virginia - 254 E Davis St - free coffee. Come with your questions/comments and meet the candidate.  Signs and stickers will be available and we'll be giving away tshirts to the question askers.  We look forward to meeting you.

The tshirts are in and available with a $50 campaign donation.  Click here to place your order.

Excerpt from a speech at Virginia Free by Virginia Senator John H. Chichester, December 2008

"...Unfortunately, the mindset began to change in the late 80’s and into the 90’s as political parties became more inward focused and installed “professional” political staff whose primary goal was to accentuate differences rather than bring people together. Words like control and discipline replaced reason and compromise. No longer were business leaders asked to help find the best candidates – they were only asked to help pay for the political apparatus. We saw fewer and fewer grass roots candidates whose motivation was public service and loyalty to Virginia’s citizens; rather we saw a wave of candidates who were hand-picked by the political apparatus based on loyalty to the party rather than to the people.

This shift has made all the difference in terms of where we find ourselves today and our inability to put Virginia’s future first.

Next year will bring statewide elections and elections for the House of Delegates. Now I know that some of you will say – “John, you’re meddling.” But, I must respectfully suggest that as we approach these elections, you should not allow yourselves to be used as a blank check with no assurance of a return on your investment. You are taking that risk when you make donations to a PAC that is established for general “Party building” as opposed to a PAC that is established for a specific purpose that you support. Let’s face it, a lot of that general PAC money goes wayward. After the political consultants are paid, PAC dollars can flow down to the most inept candidates, just to increase the Party numbers. These could be people who you would never choose to support.

As successful business leaders, you are an integral part of the process and don’t have to accept this empty role. Instead of writing a $5,000 check to a general-purpose PAC, why not write $500 checks to candidates of your choice. And before you write that check, make the candidate sit down with you and explain what he is all about. This path would serve a twofold benefit. It would help to reduce the outlandish cost of political campaigns -- what better time to do that than these lean economic times. But, more importantly, it would ensure that your dollars are supporting an individual who will focus on the priorities that you think are important for Virginia. Quite frankly, I don’t see an exit from the morass we are in until we elect a sufficient compliment of reasonable, independent thinkers to each chamber of the General Assembly so alliances crucial to good governance can be formed. Only then will we move away from governing by caucus and explaining away our failures through perfumed press releases.

You are in a unique position to find these candidates who can make the difference – be they Democratic, Republican or Independent. Your reach of power and influence extends to every corner of this Commonwealth, and you witness what is happening “on the ground” in your communities. Our citizens need for you to become proactive in the recruitment process.

There is only one litmus test that a candidate for the General Assembly should pass – the test of loyalty and dedication to Virginia and her future. That test can be met only by leaders who: (1) listen and seek input from all quarters; (2) share knowledge with one another; (3) base decisions on facts and careful analysis; (4) think independently and tell the truth; (5) act with civility; and (6) embrace reasonable thinking and bipartisan action in the interest of all Virginians. The “D”, “R”, or “I” behind the candidate’s name is not important – it is the essence of the man or woman and his promise to serve for the right reasons that makes all the difference.

I implore you to help find such people. There is no greater contribution that you can make to our great Commonwealth."

click here to read full speech (pdf)

Click here to become a fan of the campaign - by doing so you can help us push the issues we've targeted as crucial choices for Virginia over the next few years.  This is a true grass-roots campaign, we do need your help and we truly appreciate everything you're doing to help us spread the message.