RPV Convention: Day 2

My Top 3

Wow. Lots of news out of the Republican Party of Virginia State Convention at the Richmond Convention Centre today.

Congratulations to Jim Gilmore on his nomination to be the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat. It was a narrow win … the Marshall supporters were louder and I thought Gilmore had possibly lost … but he eeked out a win in the end with 66 votes over Marshall.

Congratulations to Jeff Frederick on his win as RPV Chairman. The vote count was not released but was a substantial win. Jeff worked hard. He was all over the Commonwealth. He was in the 6th District and we got to know him and his campaign worker, Matt Kandrach, well. He listened. When he spoke it was of a plan to win again for Republicans. He’s young. He’s enthusiastic. He’s got a proven winning record against the odds in his Northern Virginia House seat.

To those who would quickly dismiss Jeff, I would say to give him a chance. Sometimes to be effective you must step on toes. It sounds as if he has stepped on toes … but he has also delivered when pushing the envelope.

He may be the Democrats’ worst nightmare because he is going to go after their candidates with a vengence. The winds of change are in the Republican air these days.

I would like to thank John Hager for all he did for RPV. We are very much appreciative.

Bloggers were all over the place. Met Jim Hoeft who live-blogged from the press table. Saw Shaun Kenney often … met Alton Foley of I’m Not Emeril … saw Catherine Dickson of Powhatan Life and United Conservatives … Maxfield was there … Chris Green of Spank That Donkey was there … I met DJ McGuire of Right-Wing Liberal … also met Ron from Isophorone. Talked with James Atticus Bowden at length about various conservative issues. I missed other boggers who attended, from what I’ve read on the blogs. Spent too long in the Bolling-McDonnell “birthday suite” Friday night and missed the blogger hospitality suite.

Augusta Chairman Kurt Michael, Staunton Chairwoman Anne Taetzsch, and Waynesboro Chairman Chris Darden were there working the floor to pass out and count ballots.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Delegate Steve Landes, Delegate Chris Saxman, and Delegate Ben Cline were all there as was Sen. Mark Obenshain.

Saw many familiar faces and had fun with everyone. It was a productive convention and shapes the Party in a different way than many thought it would be.

Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work for the Fall elections.

More to follow with lots of convention photos….