Thanks to Eric Cantor, Childhood Cancer Research Receives Funds Spent in Past on Political Conventions

A good example of actually getting something done in Congress was highlighted in Sunday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial about Virginia’s Eric Cantor, former congressman from the 7th District who in 2014 was the majority leader and in line to become speaker of the House.

A ten-year-old girl from Leesburg, Virginia, named Gabriella Miller emotionally touched some of the most powerful politicians in America in 2013, including Cantor.  Diagnosed with an inoperable form of brain cancer, she had a desire to find more money for children’s cancer research and, though she lost her eleven-month battle with cancer, her quest was taken up by then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor who formed a bipartisan coalition to get the bill passed.

Cantor’s ability to pull together a bipartisan effort was a testament to his leadership considering at the time there was a line drawn on the floor of the Capitol and the government had been forced into a shutdown in the fall of 2013 causing strained working conditions and constant stalemates.

Jeb Bush has national organization and momentum on his side

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Thursday, the Jeb Bush for President campaign showed the national organization that has been put together for this huge endeavor. Coming out of New Hampshire with momentum on his side, Governor Bush hit the ground running in South Carolina on Wednesday,  that has the momentum on his side going into South Carolina, Nevada, Super Tuesday, and beyond.

Leaders in the March primary states agree: Gov. Bush is the proven conservative in the race with a national organization built for the long haul.

See below for statements from leaders in Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Puerto Rico. Virginia former Congessman Eric Cantor is one of the state co-chairs along with former Lieutenant Governor John Hager and Kay Coles James, formerly with the administrations of President  George W. Bush and Governor George Allen.

Virginia:

“As president of the United States, Jeb Bush will rebuild our military, destroy ISIS and protect our veterans who have sacrificed to keep our homeland safe. Jeb’s commitment to the military and his solid conservative reforms to grow our economy are exactly what we need from the next Commander-in-Chief. This is why Jeb ran strong in New Hampshire and this is why he will be successful in Virginia on March 1.” – Former Congressman Eric Cantor

Jeb Bush’s Virginia campaign announces 60 additional heavy hitter supporters

By Lynn R. Mitchell

From the Jeb Bush for President 2016 campaign:

Today, the day before the deadline to submit signatures for the Virginia ballot, the Washington Post reported, “Republican heavy hitters join Jeb Bush’s campaign in Virginia.”

This strong show of support for Jeb Bush comes after he submitted over 10,000 signatures on November 18, twice the amount needed to qualify for the Virginia ballot. The full list of support is below.

“Jeb Bush is the leader this country needs, and the Commander in Chief I want in the Oval office to protect my family and this nation,” said State Senator Ben Chafin, of Russell County.  “Further, Jeb understands Southwest Virginia and the challenges our families are facing.  He has an energy plan that embraces domestic coal production and will put people back to work.”

Governor Bush has been to Virginia three times in the past few months, including an appearance in Bristol in September to help raise money for the Senate Republican Caucus.  He also recently attended a candidate’s forum hosted by Pat Robertson at Regent University in Virginia Beach.

“When the primary is over, there is only one candidate who is capable of defeating Hillary Clinton, and that is Jeb Bush,” said State Senator John Watkins, from Chesterfield. 

This support comes in addition to Jeb’s previously announced Virginia Co-Chairs: Kay Coles James, former Virginia Secretary of Health; Eric Cantor, former House Majority Leader; and John Hager, former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, and other lawmakers including Jerry Kilgore, former Attorney General of Virginia.

I am proud to be part of the Jeb Bush for President team of supporters in Virginia.

Additional Jeb Bush Supporters in Virginia:

·      Veronica Angulo, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Graves Anthony, Chair, Hampden-Sydney College Republicans

·      Peggy Armentrout, Chair, Charlotte County GOP

·      Barbara Bowie-Wittman, Grassroots Activist, Alexandria City

·      Conrad Brinkman, College Republicans, Longwood University

·      James Burton, College Republicans, UVA

·      Victor Cabral, Business Leader, Arlington County

·      Brenda Campbell, Fmr. President, Virginia Federation of Republican Women, Henry County

·      Delegate Jeff Campbell, Virginia House of Delegates, Smyth County

·      Senator Ben Chafin, Virginia Senate, Russell County

·      Spencer Chaplain, College Republican, Ferrum College

·      Maggie Cleary, Vice President, Federalist Society, UVA Law

·      Linwood Cobb, Fmr. Chair, 7th District GOP Committee; Fmr. Member, State Central Committee, Henrico County

·      Ray Connor, Commissioner of Revenue, Chesapeake City

·      Chandler Crenshaw, Fmr. Chair, William & Mary College Republicans

·      Richard Cullen, Business Leader, Richmond City

·      Alex Owen Davis, Grassroots Activist, Radford City

·      Tom Farrell, Business Leader, Henrico County

·      Peter Finocchio, Former Chairman, UVa College Republicans, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      David Fonseca, College Republicans, Liberty University

·      Renee Fonseca, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Heywood Fralin, Business Leader, Roanoke City

·      Dennis Free, Ret. Undersheriff Virginia Beach City; Ret. VBPD Police Captain, Virginia Beach City

·      Marvin Gilliam, Business Leader, Washington County

·      Bill Goodwin, Business Leader, Henrico County

·      Barbara Greiner, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Marianne Horinko, Fmr. Acting Administrator of the EPA under President George W. Bush, Fairfax County

·      Tyler Johnson, Fmr. Chair, William & Mary College Republicans

·      Rear Admiral Jack Kavanaugh, Ret. USN; President, Downtown Norfolk Republican Club, Norfolk City

·      Harry Kelso, Grassroots Activist, Henrico County

·      Jay Lacano, Fmr. Chair, ODU College Republicans

·      Caroline Lane, Ret. USN; Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Ethan Lane, Grassroots Activist, Alexandria City

·      Anna Lee, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Jorge Lozano, Grassroots Activists, Fairfax County

·      Shirley Miles, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Elizabeth Minneman, Immediate Past Chair, College Republican Federation of Virginia

·      Lynn Mitchell, Fmr. Member, State Central Committee, Grassroots Activist, Augusta County

·      Tim Nank, Grassroots Activist; Fmr. Candidate, Virginia House of Delegates, Fairfax County

·      Sheila Noll, Member, Board of Supervisors, York County

·      Nina Ovieda, Community Leader, Arlington County

·      Eric Philipkosky, Grassroots Activist, Richmond City

·      Susan Ralston, Fmr. Special Assistant to President George W. Bush, Culpeper County

·      Dan and Sonia Runde, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Isabel “Izzy” Santa, Fmr. RNC Hispanic Communications Director, Arlington County

·      Colin Sapko, Treasurer, George Mason College Republicans

·      Don Scoggins, Fmr. Candidate for Occuquan Supervisor, Prince William County

·      John Scott, Immediate Past Chair, Young Republican Federation of Virginia

·      Kathy Simmons, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Gerrie Smith, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Mark Smith, Grassroots Activist, Loudoun County

·      The Honorable John Snow, Fmr. Secretary of the Treasury, Richmond City

·      Theresa Speake, Fmr. Assistant Secretary, Department of Energy, Fairfax County

·      Phillip Stucky, College Republican, UVA

·      Mauricio Tamargo, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      The Honorable Nick Taubman, Fmr. U.S. Ambassador to Romania, Roanoke City

·      Breccan Thies, College Republican, University of Mary Washington

·      Greg Thies, College Republican, UVA

·      Tamara Thies, Grassroots Activist, Charlottesville City

·      Thomas Turner, Chair, Western Tidewater Young Republicans; Vice-Chair, Suffolk City GOP, Suffolk City

·      Rick Valentine, Grassroots Activist, Fairfax County

·      Adam Washington, 1^st CD Young Republican Representative; Fmr. Chair, Fredericksburg-Area Young Republicans, Stafford County

·      Senator John Watkins, Virginia Senate, Chesterfield County

·      Kristi Way, Member, State Central Committee, Henrico County

·      Rick West, Member, City Council, Chesapeake City

·      Fay Williamson, Fmr. President, Virginia Federation of Republican Women

·      Neb Yegezu, College Republican, NVCC, Fairfax County

Previous Endorsers

• State Co-Chair, Eric Cantor, Fmr. Majority Leader, United States House of Representatives
• State Co-Chair, Kay Coles James, Fmr. Member of the Virginia State Board of Education
• State Co-Chair, John Hager, Fmr. Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
• Jerry Kilgore, Fmr. Attorney General of Virginia
• Delegate David Yancey, Virginia House of Delegates
• Delegate Terry Kilgore, Virginia House of Delegates
• Delegate Will Morefield, Virginia House of Delegates
• Delegate Bobby Orrock, Virginia House of Delegates
• Sheriff Ken Stolle, Virginia Beach City
• Debbie Ritter, Member, City Council, Chesapeake City
• Stephanie Zemanek, College Republican, University of Richmond

 

*titles for identification purposes only

Jeb2016.com

Governor Jeb Bush to file double the needed signatures for Virginia

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Showing his strong support in Virginia, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush will officially file twice the necessary number of signatures today to qualify for the Virginia Primary ballot. To qualify, presidential candidates for 2016 must file a minimum of 5,000 signatures statewide and a minimum of 200 signatures in each of Virginia’s eleven congressional districts by the December 10 deadline.

The Bush campaign is submitting more than 10,000 signatures weeks before the deadline.

Alex Davis with Governor Bush. (Photo by Jeb Bush for President campaign photographer)

Volunteers fanned out across the Commonwealth including Alex Davis in the 9th Congressional District who single-handedly collected over 500 signatures while attending dozens of events throughout the summer and fall, receiving overwhelming positive response. In September when Governor Bush addressed supporters in Bristol, he noticed Alex’s clipboard of petitions and talked with him about the process and personally thanked him for all his work.

Governor Bush was grateful for the effort of so many and commented, “I am humbled to have the support of so many grassroots activists here in Virginia.  The Commonwealth will help decide the next president, and I plan to compete here.  Thank you to all of the Virginia volunteers that spent countless hours gathering signatures.  I will not let you down.”

Eric Cantor talks 2016 to packed UVa Hall

Eric Cantor, January 2015 (photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Eric Cantor still has it.

Garrett Hall was tightly packed Friday as former House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor discussed the upcoming presidential election with students from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Sitting in an informal armchair on a small stage, Cantor …  spoke about the presidential election and economic growth strategies, while addressing several questions from students.

He still has that capacity to draw a crowd.

Last January I had the opportunity to listen to Congressman Cantor in a similar informal setting as he relaxed in front of a crowd (see Virginia Republicans look to the future), displaying his depth of understanding the complex and difficult issues that face our country.

This time he was discussing 2016.

Facebook cultivates bully keyboard activism

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Wednesday news began circulating that former U.S. Senator Bob Dole had endorsed 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush. It didn’t take long for the disparaging remarks to begin showing up on Facebook and other social media.

Like most campaign seasons, this one is becoming very toxic as people defend their chosen candidates. I get it. But where do we draw the line of courtesy versus rudeness, and respectful defense of our candidates?

One Virginia blogger posted a link Wednesday to an article announcing Dole’s endorsement, with the comment, “THAT’S what Jeb! was missing! The comeback starts now!”

It was followed by mocking comments that expanded the negativity. “How many loser endorsements does that make? Romney, Dole, Cantor…” wrote one. Another added, “James Baker.. haha.”

Would any of those commenters say that to the faces of those they disparage?

Bully keyboard activism.

Not so fast on counting Jeb Bush out of 2016 – UPDATE: Jeb endorsed by Rubio’s former chief-of staff, newspaper doubles down

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Not so fast on the calls for Governor Jeb Bush to step aside for 2016. He’s not going anywhere especially since many of those calls came after the former Florida governor had a whopping four minutes and fifty-eight seconds to present his case to voters during a dysfunctional, chaotic CNBC two-hour event that they tried to bill as a debate.

None of the candidates had much time to express anything serious; Governor Bush had the least:

Debate clock:
Rubio: 8:44
Fiorina: 8:37
Kasich: 8:06
Trump: 7:44
Cruz: 6:52
Christie: 6:30
Huckabee: 5:47
Carson: 5:28
Paul: 5:03
Bush: 4:56

One call for Jeb to drop out came from a young fellow blogger who bemoaned the fact that Jeb talked about “boring policy positions.” Interesting … because that’s what Washington is all about. Maybe that’s why the young blogger’s chosen candidate, Marco Rubio, doesn’t like being in the U.S. Senate. Too boring. After all, understanding policy discussions is perhaps what separates the adults from the children in D.C.

For a little perspective, Jeb’s brother faced similar doubts sixteen years ago, and then lost Iowa and New Hampshire. We all know how that turned out.

Eric Cantor NYT op-ed: ‘The GOP, after John Boehner’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former Virginia Congressman and Majority Leader Eric Cantor wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times (see Eric Cantor: The GOP, After John Boehner) about U.S. House Speaker John Boehner’s decision Friday to step down at the end of October, giving up not only the speaker role but also his congressional seat:

Richmond, Va. — LIKE so many others, I was stunned by Speaker John A. Boehner’s announcement on Friday that he would step down at the end of October. For nearly six years — first as Republican whip and then as majority leader — I met with John on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis as we worked to lead the House Republican Conference. It is no secret that we had different styles and personalities, but he was always selfless, a man who put the nation, his constituents, the House of Representatives and the party before himself.

Friday was another selfless act. By stepping down amid the tumult in the House conference, he has given my former colleagues in the House, fellow members of the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement a chance to demonstrate to the American people that we are prepared to govern and worthy of their trust.

But the next part of his op-ed speaks volumes, even above the clamor of those celebrating Boehner’s decision to leave:

Happy Birthday, Lt. Governor John Hager

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Hager with then-7th Congressional District Chairman Linwood Cobb … 2014.

Birthday greetings to one of the hardest working Republicans in Virginia — former Lieutenant Governor John Hager! He travels all over the Commonwealth to events and supports candidates, something he continues to do. He’s everywhere! Together with wife Maggie, they are in-laws to the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and former First Lady Laura Bush. Their son Henry is married to the Bush’s daughter Jenna. Here are just a few of the many photos I have taken of the LG at GOP events throughout the years with a sincere thanks for all he has done to advance the causes we all believe in. Happy Birthday, John Hager!

2016: Eric Cantor, John Hager, Kay James endorse Jeb Bush … will head up Virginia campaign

By Lynn R. Mitchell

“Governor Bush is a true conservative leader with a long-term vision for this country and the practical know how to implement it. After eight years of anemic growth and declining international relevance, America needs a President that can re-energize our nation and recapture our greatness — Jeb Bush is that man. I look forward to working closely with the Governor and his team as they chart a course to the White House.” – Former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor

In a move that excited many Virginia Republicans on Thursday night, former Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor joined the Jeb Bush for President team and endorsed the former Florida governor  (see Cantor endorses Bush at Richmond fundraiser and on Twitter). Also endorsing Governor Bush were former Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Hager and former Secretary of Health and Human Resources Kay James. Bush has tapped Cantor, Hager, and James, a diverse group of Virginians, to be his co-chairs for the Virginia campaign.

Eddie Cantor, 82, father of Eric, has passed away in Richmond

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The father of former U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Eric Cantor passed away Saturday in his hometown of Richmond (see obituary in Richmond Times-Dispatch).

“Mr. Eddie,” as he was fondly known, was 82. He was the son of Jewish immigrants who escaped Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century and moved to Richmond where his parents settled in downtown Jackson Ward and lived above the grocery store they owned. His mother was widowed at an early age but she was determined that her sons would be educated.

A 2011 Jewish Times article wrote of Eddie Cantor:

Bill Howell receives endorsements from five Republican Stafford supervisors

By Lynn R. Mitchell

During college, Eric Cantor interned in the office of then-Congressman Tom Bliley, then attended law school and served time in the Virginia General Assembly before running for his mentor’s congressional seat after Bliley announced his retirement.

Susan Stimpson, who was mentored by Speaker Bill Howell and served three years on the Stafford Board of Supervisors — leaving in 2013 to unsuccessfully pursue the lieutenant governor position — chose not to wait for her former friend to retire from the House of Delegates. In a hard-hitting campaign, she is running against Howell for the 28th House District seat.

Eric Cantor remains an imposing political presence

Jeb Bush, Eric Cantor

By Lynn R. Mitchell

A friend sent over this article about former Congressman Eric Cantor, and I’m glad he did (see Eric Cantor Is Back — But He Never Really Left). Nice article from Jim Geraghty at National Review.

 

Jon Ward: ‘Eric Cantor’s old political group regroups as a policy shop for the right’

Eric Cantor (photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Eric Cantor’s Young Guns have rebranded and become the Conservative Reform Network (CRN), as reported by Jon Ward at Yahoo News:

It has endured — and this month it hired Neil Bradley, Cantor’s former top policy adviser, as chief strategy officer to bring more policy depth to the organization and help it reposition itself for the 2016 presidential cycle.

Their mission will continue, with leaders noting:

Jon Ward: ‘Eric Cantor’s old political group regroups as a policy shop for the right’

Eric Cantor (photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Eric Cantor’s Young Guns have rebranded and become the Conservative Reform Network (CRN), as reported by Jon Ward at Yahoo News:

It has endured — and this month it hired Neil Bradley, Cantor’s former top policy adviser, as chief strategy officer to bring more policy depth to the organization and help it reposition itself for the 2016 presidential cycle.

Their mission will continue, with leaders noting: