From the McAuliffe campaign:
Republican Marty Williams and Independent Brandon Bell, a supporter of Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General in 2009, joined “Virginians for McAuliffe” today, a coalition of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats supporting McAuliffe because of his commitment to finding mainstream solutions to issues Virginians care about.
Williams, the former Chairman of the Virginia Senate Committee on Transportation, commented that McAuliffe is focused on finding “mainstream compromise on issues that are critical towards growing our economy.” Williams also contrasted McAuliffe’s vision with that of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, and noted that during his tenure in the Senate of Virginia, he saw that Cuccinelli is “focused on a divisive social agenda.”
McAuliffe is only the second Democrat Williams has supported throughout his career.
Brandon Bell, who served as a Republican Senator from 1992-1996 and 2004-2008 and later became an Independent, endorsed McAuliffe today after supporting Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli in 2009. Bell said he is endorsing McAuliffe because he “will support bipartisan policies that ensure our economy remains competitive in the 21st Century” and will “create more educational and economic opportunities” for Virginians.
Background on Senator Marty Williams:
Senator Marty Williams served in the Senate of Virginia from 1996-2008 and was the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation from 1999-2007. Prior to that, Williams served in the Newport News City Council. A lifelong Republican, Williams has only put his support behind two Democrats since entering Virginia politics and was a supporter of Bill Bolling in 2009.
Quote from Senator Marty Williams:
“I am supporting Terry McAuliffe because he is committed to working with members of both parties to find commonsense solutions to issues that are important to all Virginians, like creating jobs and improving our education system. My experience with Ken Cuccinelli has been that he is focused on a divisive social agenda. Terry McAuliffe’s top priority is to find mainstream compromise on issues that are critical towards growing our economy. As the former Chairman of the Virginia Senate Committee on Transportation, I was glad to see Terry support the bipartisan transportation compromise that our legislature passed earlier this year. As governor, Terry will support policies that will keep the Commonwealth moving forward and encourage more businesses and entrepreneurs to locate here.”
Background on Senator Brandon Bell:
Senator Brandon Bell served as a Republican in the Senate of Virginia from 1992-1996 and 2004-2008 and later switched to an Independent. Bell was a supporter of Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli in 2009. Previously, Bell was appointed to the State Board of Education by former Governor George Allen in 1996 and served through 2001. He was Vice Chairman of the Board in 1998.
Quote from Senator Brandon Bell:
“I am joining Virginians for McAuliffe because Terry has shown that he is focused on issues that Virginians of all parties care about, like creating more educational and economic opportunities for our communities, and investing in our transportation systems. Terry will support bipartisan policies that ensure our economy remains competitive in the 21st Century and that will again make Virginia the best state for business.”
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