Introducing your Vice Chairman

I got my start in politics out in the "fighting 9th"; Southwest Virginia as a freshman at Radford University volunteering through the College Republicans for Joe Barta for Congress against Slick Rick Boucher in 1998. Volunteering on that race got me hooked on politics. In 2001 I worked on my first House of Delegates campaign as Deputy Campaign Manger for Brett Geisler in the 10th District against Ward Armstrong. Brett's father was Minority Leader of the House of Delegates, serving from 1965-1981, his stories were priceless. Our district spanned the eastern half of Carroll County, all of Patrick County, and the western half of Henry County, including 2 precincts in the City of Martinsville (with an understanding nod to Will Vehrs). Though our campaign wasn't successful, that was the freshman class that Vance Wilkins and Ed Matricardi criss crossed the Commonwealth the get elected, and ushered in our "Super Majority" in the House. It was a very close race that was tough to lose, but from it I gained many great friends and political contacts that have lasted through the years.

I was elected Chairman of the CRFV in 2002 at the infamous convention that nearly split the organization. The CR's truly is a great organization, getting students involved in politics and connecting them with campaigns gives them invaluable experience.

2003 found me going further Southwest to manage Bill Carrico's re-election campaign in the 5th House District. You know you're in God's country in Virgnia when the House Districts have single digits. Carrico lives in the small town of Fries in Grayson County, (Pronounced Freeze). Dispite being outspent by nearly $80,000 (thank you Frank Hall and Mark Warner) Carrico still pulled 55%, being the first republican to carry the seat for more than one term.

In 2004 I left the "fightin' 9th" and came to the Capital of the Confederacy to work with the Virginia Conservative Action PAC. That was the year they linked up with Jerry Parker and finally got substantial funding. We had two fundraisers that year, one with G. Gordon Liddy and one with Ann Coulter. The Coulter dinner was the more successful of the two, but Liddy is definitely the person to sit down and have a beer with. Someone in the audience asked him about being a convicted felon and his love of firearms, I'll never forget his response "While I may not legally be able to own a firearm, I do often admire Mrs. Liddy's collection."

I came on board the Kilgore campaign in February 2005 as the Roanoke Valley Field Director changing regions in July to Southside. It was a heartbreaking loss, but I did meet my wonderful fiancee at a fundraiser in Roanoke.

December brought the McDougle special election and in January I had the opportunity to have one of the most interesting jobs in Virginia politics, the Caucus Assistant with the House Republican Caucus. There I was able to sit in on daily Caucus meetings before session. It is every bit as interesting as you would think it would be to be a fly on the wall with that group.

We've got an incredibly talented executive committee and an active group. The summer holds greta things for the Greater Richmond Young Republicans. Stay tuned, we'll be updating this blog often and keeping you informed as we work to re-elect George Allen, Eric Cantor, Randy Forbes, Virgil Goode and all of our Republican Congressmen, and have a little fun along the way.