Former Lt. Gov. John Hager Honored by Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership

Photo courtesy of Del. Richard Anderson.

Former Lieutenant Governor John Hager. Photo courtesy of UVa Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

The University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership dedicated its Spring Gala earlier this month to honoring former Lieutenant Governor John Hager for his services to Sorensen and to the Commonwealth. The Gala, an annual fundraiser dinner held in Richmond that brought in Sorensen alumni and friends, also included a silent auction and a jazz band.

John Hager, who has worked closely with Sorensen and is the immediate past Chairman of the Sorensen Institute Statewide Advisory Board, is a pillar in the ranks of Virginia Republicans and a supporter of the party for decades who served as Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth from 1998-2002 during Governor Jim Gilmore’s administration.  Throughout the years, John Hager was Director of Homeland Security for Virginia, Assistant U.S. Secretary of Education, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, and served on numerous other boards and organizations. He also served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services from 2004-07, nominated by President George W. Bush in the years before Hager’s son, Henry, met and married the president’s daughter, Jenna, in 2008.

During the program that included remarks from notable leaders, the Lieutenant Governor was presented with an award that was inscribed with the Sorensen Institute logo and the following words:

John H. Hager

In recognition

of extraordinary service to the

Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership

and to the Commonwealth of Virginia

April 3, 2017

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Keeping watch

Photo by Steve Helber/AP.

Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling shared this Washington Post link and noted, “I love this picture from the Washington Post. It was taken on the floor of the Senate. John Hager and I are keeping a close eye on Senator Donald McEachin.”

It is a good picture of the two Republican lieutenant governors overlooking the proceedings.

Welcome to the world, Poppy Louise Hager … congrats, Henry and Jenna Bush Hager!

Mila Hager, Laura Bush, George W. Bush, Poppy Hager

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Mila has a baby sister, and her name is Poppy!

And Virginia has a new grandbaby, sort of. Since Poppy is the granddaughter of former Lieutenant Governor John Hager, maybe the Commonwealth can take a little claim of her, too.

Congratulations to Jenna, daughter of former First Lady Laura Bush and former President George W. Bush, and her husband Henry, son of Maggie and John Hager, on the birth Friday, August 14, 2015, of their baby girl named Poppy Louise Hager.

Poppy’s uncle is former Florida Governor Jeb Bush who is a U.S. presidential candidate for 2016.

Poppy was the nickname of Jenna’s grandfather, former President George H.W. Bush, as a child. What an honor for the proud 91-year-old great-grandpa who was able to meet his namesake via Facetime. Congrats to both George H.W. and his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Jenna and Henry Hager with baby daughter Poppy

A millennial Bush named Barbara

Barbara Bush with her father, President George W. Bush

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura’s daughters are now 33 years old. Many know Jenna who is a correspondent on NBC’s “Today” show and married to Virginia’s former Lieutenant Governor John Hager’s son Henry, but most don’t know as much about Barbara, the dark-haired twin who keeps a lower profile.

New York Times reporter Nicholas Kristof takes a look at Barbara, named after her grandmother and former First Lady Barbara Bush, and the humanitarian work she has undertaken, following in the path of her parents who have worked extensively in Africa (see A Millennial Named Bush):

Virginia Republicans look to the future

Linwood Cobb and Eric Cantor

By Lynn R. Mitchell

It’s the Top 5 state offices: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, two U.S. senate seats. Add to that president.

Virginia Republicans saw all those offices turn over to Democrats the past few years including the back-to-back loss for president that marked the first time Virginia carried a Democrat for president since the 1960s.

Frustrated at the string of losses and looking at the 2016 presidential election looming right around the corner, more than 100 Republican activists gathered Saturday in Richmond from as far away as southwestern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Southern Virginia, and the Richmond area. Representing every congressional district and looking to the future during the day-long event, they met in a casual atmosphere to hear positive messages from respected leaders and to network with fellow activists.  The message was one of how to grow the party and work together, how to reach diverse communities, and how to move forward to once again win statewide and presidential elections.

Former Lieutenant Governor John Hager

Former Lieutenant Governor John Hager and Chesterfield County Sheriff Karl Leonard at Saturday’s Lincoln-Reagan Dinner hosted by the Chesterfield County Republican Committee.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
May 2, 2014ell