During photo shoot, Jeb asked and Alex explained Virginia petition requirements

Photo by Jeb Bush for President campaign photographer.

By Lynn R. Mitchell

When Jeb Bush stopped in Bristol Thursday to help raise money for Virginia Republican senatorial candidates (see Jeb brings presidential campaign to Bristol, helps Virginia senate candidates), he addressed a crowd of attendees and as soon as it concluded, a line formed with those waiting to talk with him and pose for pictures. I had my cell phone camera ready and Alex Davis, the Young Republican who is helping to coordinate Jeb signatures in the 9th Congressional District, was standing beside me. Holding his clipboard, he waited so I could take his picture with the governor.

Jeb brings presidential campaign to Bristol, helps Virginia senate candidates

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Governor Jeb Bush. September 24, 2015. Bristol, Virginia.

Governor Jeb Bush (center) with Senators Ryan McDougle and Bill Carrico (right) and senate candidate Nancy Dye and Senator Ben Chafin (left).

Impressive. That was my first thought reflecting on Thursday’s fundraiser with Governor Jeb Bush to help Republican state senate candidates retain their majority in Virginia’s General Assembly. In an election year when all 40 seats are up for reelection, Republicans hold a slim 21-19 lead. Demonstrating the team effort that has been stressed as absolutely necessity, Governor Bush emphasized, “We have to be a team of conservatives that reach out to everybody to win.”

It wasn’t his first time helping Virginia Republicans. Earlier this year he donated $10,000 to the cash-strapped Republican Party of Virginia.

Jeb Bush has Thursday fundraiser in Bristol for Virginia GOP senate candidates

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Java With Jeb. Billed as coffee and conversation with Jeb Bush at Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum, it’s the kind of team effort from a top-tier presidential contender that is welcomed by Virginia Republicans.

The former Florida governor will headline a Thursday fundraiser for the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. As Shaun Kenney noted at Bearing Drift, “[GOP 21st senate district candidate] Nancy Dye has to be pleased. More to the point, this is the sort of team rally that candidates ought to be doing, especially in states where early support matters.” Dr. Dye is in a three-way race with Democratic incumbent John Edwards and independent Don Caldwell.

Governor Bush is paying attention to Virginia and has ties that make those connections even more important in this battleground state that has gone blue the past two presidential elections. President Barack Obama won by 6.3 percent of the vote in 2008 only to see that margin shrink to 3.88 percent in 2012. A Republican could win in 2016.

Bush has friends in high places in the Commonwealth — former Lieutenant Governor John Hager whose son Henry is married to George W’s daughter Jenna, Ed Gillespie who was right-hand man to President George W. Bush and former chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, Kay James who was a member of the George Allen and George W. Bush administrations, and Eric Cantor whose influence and connections run throughout not only Virginia but to the highest levels in D.C. and beyond.

Jeb Bush to fundraise for Virginia state senate candidates at ‘Java with Jeb’ event

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Demonstrating the team spirit that will be necessary for Republican wins in 2015 and 2016, former Florida Jeb Bush is heading to southwest Virginia to fund raise for the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus and their candidates who include Nancy Dye who is running against  incumbent Democratic candidate John Edwards and independent candidate Don Caldwell.

Billed as Java with Jeb, an opportunity for coffee and conversation with the presidential candidate, the event will be held on Thursday, September 24, at the Birthplace of Country Music museum in Bristol at 11:45 a.m. Dye will attend, and others expected to be there include Senators Bill Carrico, Ben Chafin, Ralph Smith, and Ryan McDougle.

Republicans currently hold a 21-19 majority in the Virginia State Senate, a lead they are trying to retain in the upcoming November elections. Jeb’s appearance will help pull in funds for campaigns and increase his profile in our battleground state.