Misrepresentations and Endorsement Issues
My Good Friends,
I wanted to clear up an incredible misrepresentation.
By now some of you have received a letter designed, written and mailed by my opponent Gary Byler. This letter is an endorsement from Governor Bob McDonnell. However, if you look closely at the envelope, you will realize quickly that it is not official stationery but rather a store bought envelope with a stick-on return address label mailed not from Richmond, but from Norfolk.
Here is the catch: The Governor gave the endorsement over 10 months ago, long before anyone had considered running against Gary and told him he could write his own endorsement letter.
After communicating my concerns to Governor McDonnell and his staff, the Governor emphatically stated that his letter was not against my candidacy for 2nd District Chairman. He appreciated my long time friendship and work in the Republican Party. Unfortunately, the Governor had promised Gary he would lend his endorsement 10 months ago, long before I had entered the race for Chairman, and felt he had to honor his word.
I have known the Governor for twenty years and he is a man of his word and I respect him for it.
The Good News! Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli have both agreed to remain neutral in the 2nd District Chairman's race. This is significant since they have both endorsed other incumbent District Chairmen in other parts of Virginia.
It Gets Better! Most of the elected officials in the Second District have also agreed to remain neutral as well. No other Incumbent District Chairman has failed to receive the endorsement of their own local elected officials.
My Good friends, you do the math. When so many elected officials refuse to endorse the incumbent Party Chairman, Gary Byler, a strong message is being sent.
I really do not like to focus on the negative; however, since Gary took advantage of the Governor's generosity, I felt compelled to set the record straight.
Stay tuned for more ideas from me to help rebuild the Republican Party in future emails and letters.
I appreciate you for taking time to read my letter and I hope I can count on your vote at the May 8th 2nd District Convention!
- Bruce
|