Ninth District Chair to Attend GOP Convention
Lisa Watson McCarty
Publisher
As Jenkins travels to Richmond for the 2009 convention, she boasted the positives of a convention and a good feeling about the party's chances in November.
The Ninth District accounts for 973 votes in this year's convention with Scott County delegates attributing 52 votes. According to Jenkins, this is the largest number of Republican delegates to attend a state convention.
"I think this will be a good year for us," Jenkins said. "We have a strong message to put out. We have good candidates and I feel really good about our candidates."
Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell is unopposed in his bid for the governor's mansion on the Republican ticket. Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is seeking a second term for the state's No. 2 position.
Patrick Muldoon of Giles County is running against Bolling for the Republican nomination. He is a trademark and patent attorney with Duane Morris LLP and previously ran in 1996 against longtime Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher.
Three are vying for the nomination of Attorney General, former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee of Roanoke, State Senator Ken Cuccinelli of Fairfax County and Dave Foster of Arlington.
Jenkins, who has officially endorsed the candidacies of McDonnell, Bolling and Brownlee, expects the attorney general race to take at least three ballots to determine a winner.
"The attorney general race is the hot ticket," she noted. "Each of the candidates is qualified and whoever comes out at the end of the day is anyone's guess."
Virginia Republicans will also choose a new chairman to lead the party. Interim Chairman Pat Mullins of Louisa County is hoping to drop the "interim" part from his title. Mullins was selected earlier this month by the GOP Central Committee after former chair Del. Jeff Frederick was let go from his post.
Bill Stanley from Franklin County is also running for the chairman's position. Jenkins, who is supporting Mullins, noted party rules did not allow any nominations from the floor during the convention.
"Both of these gentleman are very strong candidates with good conservative agendas," she added. "We have two men that act like Republicans while they are in office."
Democrats will select their candidates for statewide office during the June 9 Primary. Jenkins noted that Republicans have traditionally used a convention to choose their candidates.
"I love a convention," she stated. "It makes the party become unified and more excited about your candidates. Regardless of who wins, you feel like you made a difference in the outcome." Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney is the special guest speaker at the Friday night gala and Fox News Channel Host Sean Hannity is slated to speak during Saturday's convention.
The convention officially begins Friday, May 29 at 2 p.m. and concludes Saturday, May 30 at approximately 6 p.m. at the Richmond Coliseum.
Guests are invited to attend the convention but must pay a $10 entrance fee. Online registration is closed and to attend visit the guest registration table at the event.
For more information on the 2009 Republican Convention, visit http://www.rpv.org/events/page/2009-republican-state-convention