Lieutenant Governor’s Race Notebook

- Signer gets the endorsement of the Mudcat
- Wagner calls on Bolling to support expansion of health care, unemployment benefits
- Bowerbank pushes school funding

Signer gets the endorsement of the Mudcat

National Democratic strategist Dave “Mudcat” Saunders endorsed Mike Signer for lieutenant governor at a new conference today at Center in the Square in Downtown Roanoke. Saunders’ endorsement adds to the growing roster of prominent Democratic leaders advising Signer, including Sen. John & Elizabeth Edwards, John Podesta (President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton) and former Congressman David Bonior.

Saunders is a Roanoke County native who has been active in local and national politics for years. Most recently, he served as a senior strategist for John Edwards’ Presidential campaign. He also served as rural strategist for Mark Warner’s gubernatorial campaign, where he met Signer. “I’m from the ‘other part’ of Virginia, Southwest Virginia, and for too long it and Southside and the lower Shenandoah have been seen by many folks as a liability. Well, Mike considers us as an asset,” Saunders said.

“I’ve known Mike for many years,” said Saunders, “and I’ve worked with a lot of good people to get Democrats elected; and I know of no single person who better understands the dynamics of policy and the intricacies of the political process. He really understands the needs of rural Virginia and is determined to slow the flow of the pied piper of greed that has taken our children from our homes into areas where that actually provide them with the opportunity to live the American Dream.”

The Roanoke event was part of Signer’s week-long barnstorm of every Congressional district in Virginia, including stops in Arlington, Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Franklin, Petersburg, Wise, Bristol, Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Hot Springs, Covington, Martinsville, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Richmond, South Boston, Halifax, Charlottesville, Farmville, Campbell and Lynchburg.

For more information on Mike Signer, please visit the campaign Web site at www.mikesigner.com.

Wagner calls on Bolling to support expansion of health care, unemployment benefits

Former Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner called on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling to support the expansion of health care and unemployment benefits that will help Virginia families get through these trying economic times.

“With the unemployment rate in the Commonwealth climbing to 7 percent and over 1 million Virginians lacking health coverage, it seems unconscionable not to support an expansion of benefits – an effort which would be paid for with $125 million from the federal government,” said Wagner, a candidate for the Democratic Party lieutenant-governor nomination.

“Gov. Kaine has fought hard to keep Virginia moving forward during the economic downturn, and we need to support his efforts. As someone who helped craft balanced budgets with governors Warner and Kaine, I know that the long-term fiscal impact of such a measure pales in comparison to the effect on families struggling without a paycheck or adequate medical coverage. The unemployment provision will specifically help displaced workers who are looking for part-time jobs or participating in job training programs, and provides a critical bridge until full-time employment can be found. The expansion in health care coverage will benefit small businesses by expanding COBRA coverage for recently laid-off workers. It’s time for Bill Bolling to put partisanship aside and support Virginia’s families,” Wagner said.

Bowerbank pushes school funding

Jon Bowerbank, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor and Russell County Board of Supervisors At-Large member, secured passage of $1.6 million in General Obligation school bonds for the purpose of financing capital projects for education at last night’s Russell County Board of Supervisors meeting. One of the areas the funding will go to is improving school buildings and making them more safe, modern, and energy efficient.

“As the parent of three children, two who currently attend Russell County Public Schools, I am pleased to approve these bonds which will provide funding for education projects that our schools so desperately need. Like so many other parents, I depend on the public education system to prepare my children for the future, and nothing is more important to me. In fact, my son, Sean Thomas, currently attends Elk Garden Elementary school, which is one of the oldest continually used public school buildings in Virginia. Our children are competing in a modern global economy, and they should be learning in a 21st century educational environment. This money will help ensure our children have that chance,” Bowerbank said.

Bowerbank also advocated for an increase in teacher pay for Russell County Public School teachers.

“I am proud that we were able to raise teacher salaries by double-digits in Russell County last year. This year is going to be more difficult. With the economy struggling and revenues down an increase this year is no guarantee. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. It is my priority, and the priority of all of our board members, to improve our schools and that means paying the people who teach our children the salary they deserve.

Russell County should be a leader in the effort to raise teacher pay and I am running for Lieutenant Governor because I want to be able to reward teachers across the Commonwealth for their service and commitment to my children and all of our children,” said Bowerbank.

“I am grateful that Jon Bowerbank and the rest of the Board were able to secure so much funding for our schools, especially given the economic climate,” said Richard Hess, a Russell County public school teacher and former President of the Russell County Education Association. “I also appreciated Jon’s speech in favor of increasing teacher pay; Jon is fighting hard to get that in the budget. It shows that Jon understands the value of teachers and our struggle to stay in the profession while also making ends meet and providing for our families. This is a huge win for educators, parents and children in Russell County.”