From the McAuliffe for Governor campaign:
Republicans Dwight Schar and Earle Williams, leading Virginia businessmen and long-time Republicans endorsed Terry McAuliffe for Governor on Monday.
Schar, who served as RNC Finance Chair from 2005-2007 and was a major supporter of Republican Governor Bob McDonnell in 2009, cited McAuliffe’s commitment to finding “mainstream solutions” to the challenges Virginians face as reason for the switch. Schar urged Republicans and Democrats alike to join him in his support McAuliffe.
Earle Williams, who ran for the GOP nomination for Governor of Virginia in 1993, a supporter of Republican Bob McDonnell's gubernatorial candidacy, and who formerly was the President and CEO of BDM International, announced his support for McAuliffe because he knows that McAuliffe will work with both sides of the aisle as Governor. He stated, the “future of Virginia depends on this election and transcends matters of Party preference” and commented that Virginia “cannot afford to have a new Governor who will continue to use his political office to obstruct vital transportation and infrastructure improvements because of his personal ideological agenda” in reference to Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli.
Statement from Dwight Schar:
“As a Republican and especially as a Virginia businessman, I am supporting Terry McAuliffe for Governor. Terry is going to work with both parties to enact mainstream solutions that reduce traffic, improve our schools, and develop our workforce for the global marketplace. Ken Cuccinelli's ideological agenda has divided Virginians and blocked progress on education and transportation for long enough. Cuccinelli's focus on extreme social issues will distract from urgent economic matters and make Virginia less welcoming to business. Virginia's economic challenges require Terry McAuliffe's leadership and I call on all Virginians–Republicans and Democrats–to join me in supporting Terry for Governor.”
Statement from Earle Williams:
“I am supporting Terry McAuliffe for Governor because he has pledged to work with Republicans and Democrats alike to make sure that Virginia's economy remains resilient in the 21st century. As a businessman and Republican, I care that Terry will focus on attracting and keeping the most innovative companies in Virginia. We cannot afford to have a new Governor who will continue to use his political office to obstruct vital transportation and infrastructure improvements because of his personal ideological agenda. We need a leader who will hear all sides of the issues and work with the Legislature to find solutions that will move Virginia in the right direction for the benefit of all Virginia citizens. The future of Virginia depends on this election and transcends matters of Party preference. That is why I urge all Virginians to join me in voting for Terry McAuliffe for Governor–a vote for a bright future for the Commonwealth.”
“I am honored to have the support of so many Virginians from both parties who realize that we have to focus on mainstream compromise in order to grow Virginia's economy in the 21st Century. As Governor, I'll always work with both parties to find solutions on the issues Virginians care about, like education, transportation, and economic development,” said Terry McAuliffe.
Background on Dwight Schar:
Schar, the founder and Executive Chairman of NVR Inc, a Fortune 500 company that is the fifth-largest home builder in the United States, has been a long-time supporter of Republican candidates across the nation and in Virginia. From 2005-2007, Schar was the National Finance Chair of the Republican National Committee, and has been an ally of Republican Governor Bob McDonnell. During McDonnell’s bid for governor in 2009, Schar was a major supporter of his campaign, and hosted a fundraiser at his McLean home for McDonnell that was headlined by Bobby Jindal.
Background on Earle Williams:
Earle Williams is the former President and CEO of BDM International, and in 1993 ran for the Republican nomination for Governor of Virginia. Williams also endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell during his gubernatorial campaign in 2009. Williams previously worked at the Standard Oil Company before joining BDM International in 1962, which he grew into an over $1 billion company, and is currently a Senior Advisory Board member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
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