My passion as a Republican activist is equipping and motivating the grassroots, so together we can achieve victory for our preferred candidates. If elected to represent the 11th District on the State Central Committee, this is my pledge to you (a pledge which a number of the other 11th District candidates have joined me in making). I will...
- Listen and represent your voice to the state Republican Party,
- Lead by example in contributing my time, talents and treasure to the Party,
- Grow the Party by making participation accessible and rewarding, and
- Always stay focused on winning elections for our Republican nominees.
Primaries versus Conventions
One of the key responsibilities of the State Central Committee is to choose whether nominating contests among Republicans will be decided by primary or convention, or a couple variations of these procedures.
In most cases I would support a primary, because it allows "We the People" to make the decision. Conventions disenfranchise many people who are unable to participate for a variety of reasons, such as military service, working on Saturday, health conditions, family obligations, or pre-scheduled travel. Many recently-energized activists lose out on having a voice because they are not aware of the pre-registration requirements or that the convention is taking place at all.
Primaries provide us with voter data that is the closest thing we have to party registration in Virginia, helping us identify a broad base of Republican voters. Candidates in primaries also have to campaign much the same way that they will in the general election, so it is a good "dress rehearsal" that strengthens them for the general election.
Exceptions may be warranted for local elections (in which case a so-called "firehouse primary" would usually be a good option), or if the nominating process has to be accelerated because a leading candidate dies or drops out well into the contest.
As someone who has recruited and trained hundreds of local Republican volunteers over the past few years, it is NOT my experience that conventions for public offices yield a better list of likely volunteers than other methods, as some convention proponents have argued. Though of course many convention attendees are also volunteers, they often signed up for the convention because they were already volunteers, not the other way around. Recruiting volunteers takes person-to-person contact, whether that be door-to-door canvassing, personal networking, attending events where likely conservative voters congregate, etc. Holding conventions is no shortcut to this critical task. Furthermore, candidates in primaries recruit volunteers to help with knocking on doors, making phone calls, handing out literature, etc.--in other words, they identify and prepare volunteers to do the same things that will be needed in the general election season.
Supporting Candidates in Internal GOP Contests
Personally, I subscribe to the "Buckley principle" of supporting the most conservative candidate who has a fighting chance of winning the general election. Living in a "swing" state and district, I particularly look for candidates who, like President Ronald Reagan--or more recently and locally, Gov. Bob McDonnell--are able to articulate conservative principles in ways that are understandable and attractive to independent and other swing voters.
But as someone holding a leadership position in the local or state Republican party, I believe it is NOT my role to tell other Republicans how they should vote in nominating contests. I trust you to make an informed decision for yourself. If you want my personal opinion I am happy to share it personally. But I am here to get 100% behind whoever wins the nomination, to equip you for effective activism wherever you choose to focus it, and to make sure GOP officials hear your suggestions and concerns about how things get done. I am not here to play power broker or hand out endorsements in nominating contests.
