Republican Party of Virginia

Infobox American State Political Party
party_name = Republican Party of Virginia
party_articletitle = Republican Party (United States)
party_
website = [http://www.rpv.org/ http://www.rpv.org/]
headquarters = 115 E. Grace St. Richmond, Virginia 23219
chairman = Jeffrey M Frederick
houseleader = William J. Howell
senateleader = Tommy Norment
foundation = 1854
ideology = Center-right Conservatism Economic liberalism
national = Republican Party
colors = Red (unofficial)
footnotes =

The Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) is based in Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is affiliated with the National Republican Party of the United States.

Organization and candidate selection

The State Party Plancite web
last = Hager,
first = John H.
coauthors = John Padgett, Charles E. Judd
month = October | year = 2007
url = http://www.rpv.org/PDF/PartyPlanOct2007.pdf
title = "The Plan of Organization of the Republican Party of Virginia"
format = PDF
work = rpv.org
publisher = Republican Party of Virginia
accessdate = 2007-12-20] specifies the organization of the state party and how candidates will be selected. The 79-member State Central Committee sets the policy and plans for the party between larger State Conventions, which gather at least once every four years.

Candidates for elective office can be selected by (1) mass meetings, (2) party canvasses, (3) conventions, or (4) primaries. A mass meeting consists of a meeting where any participants must remain until votes are taken at the end. A party canvass or "firehouse primary" allows participants to arrive anytime during announced polling hours, cast a secret ballot, and then leave. A convention includes a process for selecting delegates, and then only the delegates may vote. Mass meetings, party canvasses and conventions are conducted by party officials and volunteers. Primaries are administered by the [http://www.sbe.state.va.us State Board of Elections] at all established polling places. Because Virginia does not have party registrations, participation in primaries are open to any register voter regardless of party. However, on June 15, 2006, the Plan was amended to redefine a primary:

"Primary" is as defined in and subject to the Election Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, except to the extent that any provisions of such laws conflict with this Plan, infringe the right to freedom of association, or are otherwise invalid.

At the same time, the Plan was amended to require participants in any of the candidate selection methods to "express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required their intent to support all [Republican] nominees for public office in the ensuing election".

The candidate selection process has been criticised as favoring "party insiders" and disfavoring moderate candidates. For example, both Jim Gilmore and the more moderate Thomas M. Davis were seeking the 2008 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. However, two weeks following the decision that the candidate will be selected at a convention instead of a primary,cite web
date = 13 October 2007
url = http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-10-13-0212.html
title = "Va. GOP decision favors Gilmore"
work = InRich.com
accessdate = 2007-12-20] Davis announced that he would not seek the nomination.

Open primary litigation

Virginia does not provide for voters to register by party. Virginia law requires "open" primaries that are not restricted based on party registration:

All persons qualified to vote... may vote at the primary. No person shall vote for the candidates of more than one party.cite web
url = http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+24.2-530
title = "§ 24.2-530: Who may vote in primary"
format = HTML
work = Code of Virginia
publisher = Virginia General Assembly Legislation Information System
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

In 2004, the Republican Party amended the State Party Plan to attempt to restrict participation in primaries to exclude voters who had voted in a Democratic primary after March 1, 2004, or in the last fiveyears, whichever is more recent. In August 2004, Stephen Martin, an encumbent State Senator, designated that the Republican candidate for his seat in the November 2007 election should be selected by primary. The Republicans then sued the State Board of Elections demanding that a closed primary be held, with taxpayer funding of a mechanism to exclude voters who had participated in past Democratic primaries.cite web
last = Hudson
first = Henry E.
coauthors = Duncan, Widener Wilkins
date = 1 October 2007
url = http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/062334.P.pdf
title = "Miller v. Brown", No. 06-2334, pages 4-5
format = PDF
work = ca4.uscourts.gov
publisher = U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

The Federal District Court dismissed the suit on standing and ripeness grounds. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed and sent the case back for a trial on its merits. The District Court then ruled that the open primary statute was constitutional on its face, but was applied in a manner which severely limited the Republicans freedom to associate under the First Amendment of the Constitution.cite web
last = Hudson
first = Henry E.
coauthors = Duncan, Widener Wilkins
date = 1 October 2007
url = http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/062334.P.pdf
title = "Miller v. Brown", No. 06-2334, page 6
format = PDF
work = ca4.uscourts.gov
publisher = U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
accessdate = 2007-12-20] On October 1, 2007, the Fourth Circuit affirmed this holding apparently ending the Virginia open-primary system as unconstitutional.cite web
last = Hudson
first = Henry E.
coauthors = Duncan, Widener Wilkins
date = 1 October 2007
url = http://pacer.ca4.uscourts.gov/opinion.pdf/062334.P.pdf
title = "Miller v. Brown", No. 06-2334, page 18
format = PDF
work = ca4.uscourts.gov
publisher = U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

The Republican State Central Committee dropped plans to require voters to sign a loyalty oath before voting in the February 2008 Presidential primary. The party had proposed to require each voter to sign a pledge stating "I, the undersigned, pledge that I intend to support the nominee of the Republican Party for President." However, there was no way to enforce the pledge, and the proposal caused vocal public opposition.cite news
first = Tim
last = Craig
authorlink =
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/30/AR2007113002348.html
title = Va. GOP Abandons Loyalty Pledge
work = Washington Post
page = B01
date = 1 December 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

Richard D. Obenshain Center

The party headquarters building is named the Richard D. Obenshain Center in memory of Richard D. Obenshain (1936-1978), the State Party Chairman who beginning in 1972, helped lead the party's renaissance in Virginia following 85 years of virtual control by the State's Democratic Party (since Reconstruction when William Mahone and the Readjuster Party coalition dominated affairs for a few years).

In 1978, "Dick" Obenshain had won the party's nomination to run for the U.S. Senate to replace retiring Senator William Scott when the 42-year old candidate and two others were killed in an airplane crash of a twin engine aircraft on August 2, 1978 while attempting a night landing at the Chesterfield County Airport. They had been returning to Richmond from a campaign appearance.

Current leadership

Kate Obenshain Griffin of Winchester became the party's chairman in 2004. Following Senator George Allen's unsuccessful 2006 reelection bid, Griffin submitted her resignation as Chairman effective November 15, 2006. Her brother, Mark Obenshain, is a State Senator from Harrisonburg in the Virginia General Assembly. They are the children of the late Richard D. Obenshain.

Ed Gillespie was elected as the new Chairman of the RPV on December 2, 2006. He resigned on June 13, 2007 to become the counselor to President George W. Bush. Mike Thomas served as interim chairman until July 21 when former Lieutenant Governor of Virginia John Hager was elected chairman. On April 9, 2007 the RPV named Fred Malek to serve as the Finance Chairman and Lisa Gable to serve as the Finance Committee Co-Chair.cite web
date = 9 April 2007
url = http://www.rpv.org/040907Fundraising.html
title = "RPV Announces New Finance Chairman"
work = Press Releases
publisher = Republican Party of Virginia
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

On May 31, 2008, Hager was defeated in his bid for re-election as chairman, by a strongly conservative member of the House of Delegates, Jeff Frederick of Prince William County. Frederick, 32 years old, is the 5th party chairman in 5 years." [http://www.examiner.com/a-1417840~Republican_party_has_new_chairman.html Republican party has new chairman] ," "The Examiner" (Dena Potter, AP News), May 31, 2008.]

Policy positions

While Virginia Republicans take positions on a wide variety of issues, some of the noteworthy ones include:
* Religion - the Party creed states, "That faith in God, as recognized by our Founding Fathers, is essential to the moral fibre of the Nation." [ [http://www.rpv.org/?q=node/23 About the Republican Party of Virginia | Republican Party of Virginia ] ] The Virginia Republicans are allied with the Religious Right. [cite news
first = Kiran
last = Krishnamurthy
title = Prayer led by Fredericksburg council reviewed
date = 20 March 2008
url = http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news/politics.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-03-20-0133.html
work = Richmond Times Dispatch
accessdate = 2008-03-20]
* Immigration - offered legislation to limit government services, such as in-state tuition at state colleges, to undocumented residents.State and local law enforcement should cooperate in enforcing immigration laws. [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb623 Retrieved 2008-03-20.] [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb926 Retrieved 2008-03-20] [http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb440 Retrieved 2008-03-20]
* Transportation - opposed funding transportation needs through increases in taxes and/or fees, offered abusive driver fees as an alternative revenue source; seeks to fund projects through bonds which will be funded from future general funds. [http://www.williamjhowell.org/files/20080312%20-%20Speaker%20News%20Release%20-%20Howell%20Statement%20on%20Budget%20Agreement.doc Retrieved 2008-03-20.] [http://www.williamjhowell.org/files/20080308%20-%20Speaker%20News%20Release%20-%20Howell%20Statement%20on%20Regular%202008%20Session%20Results.doc Retrieved 2008-03-20] The Republican leadership has announced that it will resist any new taxes during the special session called for June 23, 2008 to fund transportation needs.
* Pre-Kindergarten Education - opposed Governor Kaine's initiative to fund Pre-K education. [cite news
first = Christina
last = Nuckols
title = Governor's pre-K plan boils down to money
date = 16 August 2008
url = http://hamptonroads.com/node/311291
work = The Virginia Pilot
accessdate = 2008-03-20]

* Handgun control - expanded the rights to carry concealled handguns and eased the process for issuing concealled weapon permits. [cite news
first = Jen
last = McCaffery
title = Virginia Tech-inspired bills yield few gun law changes
date = 10 March 2008
url = http://hamptonroads.com/2008/03/virginia-techinspired-bills-yield-few-gun-law-changes
work = The Virginia Pilot
accessdate = 2008-03-20]
* Judiciary - blocked judicial appointments in the 2007 legislative session. [cite news
first = Julian
last = Walker
title = Time is running out for judicial appointments
date = 3 March 2008
url = http://hamptonroads.com/2008/03/time-running-out-judicial-appointments
work = The Virginia Pilot
accessdate = 2008-03-20]
* Reproductive Rights - the legislature enacted a ban on "partial birth abortions," which was declared unconstitutional on 2008-05-20 by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On May 30, 2008, Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell announced that he will seek rehearing "en banc" to overturn this decision. [cite news
first = Willaim
last = Flook
title = McDonnell to challenge ruling on ban of partial-birth abortion
date = 31 May 2008
work = Washington Examiner
page = 5]

Current events

Republicans lost control of the State Senate in the 2007 election, and narrowed their majority in the House of Delegates. The Democrats now have 21 Senate seats with one more being the subject of a possible recount. Republicans will hold a 7- or 8-seat majority in the House.cite news
first = Tim
last = Craig
coauthors = Anita Kumar
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/07/AR2007110700553.html
title = Kaine Hails 'Balance' in New Political Landscape
work = Washington Post
page = A01
date= 8 November 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20] In addition, Tom Davis and Jim Gilmore were vying to seek the nomination to run for the United States Senate to succeed John Warner.cite news
first = Bill
last = Turque
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091401171.html
title = Would-Be Candidate Is Taking His Time
work = Washington Post
page = B01
date = 15 September 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20] Following the withdrawal of Davis, State Del. Robert G. Marshall challenged Gilmore for the nomination, as did Bob Berry. On May 31st 2008, Gilmore won the nomination by less than 70 weighted votes (as few as 10 people, depending on location).

Candidates from both parties are now gearing up for the 2009 Governor's race with Attorney General Robert McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, and former Governor and former Senator George Allen apparent candidates.cite news
first = Tim
last = Craig
title = 2009 Governor's Race Will Be State's Litmus Test
date = 22 November 2007
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/19/AR2007111901512.html
work = Washington Post
page = LZ04
accessdate = 2007-12-20] Republican candidates for the 2009 Attorney General's race include Senators Mark D. Obenshain (Harrisonburg), Ryan T. McDougle (Hanover), and Ken Cuccinelli II (Fairfax), as well as Del. Robert B. Bell (R-Charlottesville) and Arlington School Board member David Foster.

cite web
first = Tim
last = Craig
date = 2 December 2007
url = http://blog.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2007/12/a_republican_attorney_generalf.html
title = "A Republican Attorney General From Arlington?"
work = Welcome to Virginia Politics
format = blog
publisher = Washington Post
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

Although it is difficult to measure total fundraising contributions because money is donated to political action committees as well as directly to the parties, public records show that in 2007, the Virginia Republican Party has received $3,376,215 compared with $8,245,806 for the Democrats.cite web
url = http://www.vpap.org/pacs/raised.cfm
title = "PACs: Most Money Raised"
work = vpap.org
publisher = Virginia Public Access Project
accessdate = 2008-02-14]

In 2006, a budget deadlock between the Republican-controlled House of Delegates and the Republican-controlled Senate resulted in the legislative session extending far beyond its normal term as well as a special session.

As a part of the 2007 campaign, two Republican Delegates who are unopposed, C. Tood Gilbert and C.L. Athley Jr., are publicizing their investigation that Democratic leaders support radical Islamic organizations. These delegates report that the Muslim American Society and the Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center, both of which are located in Falls Church, Virginia, are connected to radical Islam, even though federal officials found no such connection.cite news
first = Ed
last = Farrell
title = Athey is seeking info on Omeish
date = 15 October 2007
url = http://www.winchesterstar.com/article_details.php?ArticleID=1806
work = Winchester Star
accessdate = 2007-12-20] House Speaker William J. Howell has not sanctioned the Gilbert-Athley report, but the Speaker's staff has been helping distribute their findings to the media. Gilbert and Athley allege that the mosque is linked to terrorism because two of the September 11, 2001 hijackers had worshipped there in the months before the attack. But the FBI and the Presidential 9/11 Commission both concluded that the mosque had no role in the attacks. In response, Delacey Skinner, Governor Tim Kaine's communications director, stated that "Politics and campaigning have stooped to a new low when the governor of Virginia's efforts to reach out to people of all faiths and races is characterized as an association with terrorists."cite news
first = Tim
last = Craig
url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/20/AR2007102001154.html
title = 2 GOP Lawmakers Allege Democrats Have Ties to Terrorism
work = Washington Post
page = C06
date = 21 October 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

In 2007, the need to fund $1 billion per year for pressing transportation projects resulted in another impass between the House of Delegates and Senate. Rather than approve additional tax increases, the final Republican plan, which was enacted into law, resulted in new fees of up to $3,000 for abusive drivers, which are assessed against Virginia residents in addition to the historic fines assessed on out-of-state drivers convicted of the same driving law violations. The Republican plan also called for issuing general obligation bonds which Democrats claim may reduce funding of non-transportation needs in future years. On 23 August 2007, the Republican leaders of the House and Senate responded to public opposition of the new fees by promising to moderate them in the 2008 legislative session.cite news
first = Bob
last = Lewis
url = http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=1195457&nid=25
title = GOP Plan: Moderate Abusive Driving Fees
work = WTOPNews.com
publisher = WTOP
date = 23 August 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

State Del. Marshall (who is also a Republican U.S. Senate Candidate) challenged the constitutionality of the 2007 transportation plan in court. On February 29, 2008, the Virginia Supreme Court rule the plan to be an unconstitional delegation of the state legislature's powers to a separate transportation authority. ["Marshall v. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority" ttp://www.courts.state.va.us/opinions/opnscvwp/1071959.pdf Retrieved 2006-03-06.] Governor Tim Kaine called a special session of the legislature on June 23, 2008 to consider legislation in response to this decision. [http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=661 Retrieved 2008-05-13.] However, the Republicans in the House of Delegates blocked consideration of Kaine's proposal, and the session ended without any action to replace the revenues lost due to the court decision.

In anticipation of the November 2007 elections, where all of the House of Delegates and Senate seats were up for reelection, Republicans focused on illegal immigration and unveiled a proposal to prohibit illegal immigrants from attending public colleges and requiring sheriffs to check people's immingation status before releasing them from jail.cite news
first = Tim
last = Craig
url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/1329301941.html?dids=1329301941:1329301941&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+2%2C+2007&author=Tim+Craig+-+Washington+Post+Staff+Writer&pub=The+Washington+Post&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=Democratic+Gains+Are+Predicted+in+Va.+Assembly
title = Democratic Gains Are Predicted in Va. Assembly
work = Washington Post
page = A1
date = 2 September 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

On December 11, 2007, Republican state legislator Rob Wittman was elected in the First Congressional District Special Election, defeating Democrat Philip Forgit and independent Lucky Narain.cite news
author = Associated Press
url = http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_121107_elections.606452d.html
title = Wittman wins 1st Congressional District Election
work = wvec.com
publisher = WVEC
date = 11 December 2007
accessdate = 2007-12-20]

2008 elections

On February 12, 2008, a Presidential primary decided which candidate would receive Virginia's delegates to the 2008 National convention. The results were: [https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2008/F88C865B-87AB-494E-8C2E-599FED2DF7C6/Unofficial/1_s.shtml Retrieved 2008-02-14.] The second step is a set of city and county caucuses to elect delegates to Congressional District and the State Conventions. The third step is a series of Congressional District conventions to be held in late April and early May 2008, where some delegates to the Republican National Convention are selected. The Republican State Convention was held in Richmond, Virginia on May 30-31, 2008. That convention selected the Republican Senate nominee as well as twenty-seven (27) delegates and twenty-seven (27) alternatedelegates at large to the 2008 Republican National Convention. [Convention Call, http://www.rpv.org/?q=node/77 Retrieved 2008-03-06.] Because the Republican primary is winner-take-all, all National Convention delegates elected must vote for John McCain on the first ballot, [http://www.rpv.org/?q=node/341 Retrieved 2008-03-06.] so the main criteria for selecting State Convention delegates was their preference for U.S. Senate nominees. James S. Gilmore narrowly captured the Senate nomination from Robert G. Marshall by 70 votes out of 10,378 votes cast. Although Gilmorre outspent Marshall by more than 8 to 1, a coalition of antiabortion activits, libertarians and some moderates from Northern Virginia almost succeeded in nominating Marshall. Later in the day, that coalition elected Delegate Jeffery M. Frederick as state party chair over the encumbent John H. Hager, who is Jenna Bush's father-in-law. [news cite
first = Tim
last = Craig
title = Gilmore Beats Marshall in Nomination Nail-Biter
work = Washington Post
page = C1
date = 1 June 2008]

On June 10, 2008, Republican congressional candidates will be selected in primary elections in the Eight and Tenth Congressional districts. [http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/documents/List_of_Cidates_By_Office_District [RepCD] .pdf] The candidates are:As noted above, the Senate candidate will be selected at the Convention rather than by primary.

As of December 2007, Republicans hold one of Virginia's two seats in the U.S. Senate, eight of eleven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and a majority in the Virginia House of Delegates. Additionally, Republicans serve as Virginia's Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

"Commonwealth Conversations"

In an effort to reach out to more potential supporters, the Republican Party started a monthly newsprint publication called "Commonwealth Conversations." The magazine includes articles written by Republican politicians and feature stories about prominent Republicans. With the third issue published in July 2008, the publication included a disclaimer that it "is no longer affiliated with the Republican Party of Virginia." The content and bias has not changed.

References

See also

* Democratic Party of Virginia

External links

* [http://www.rpv.org/ Republican Party of Virginia]
* [http://vacollegerepublicans.blogspot.com/ College Republican Federation of Virginia]
* [http://www.vpap.org/pacs/raised.cfm Virginia Public Access Project]
* [http://www.hb3202.virginia.gov/ Official website for 2007 Transportation law]