I am out of town and unable to attend today’s event in Harrisonburg in support of Senator Creigh Deeds’ candidacy for governor, but I want to add my endorsement.  My endorsement comes for three main reasons:

1. I think he will be an effective governor, able to stay true to Democratic ideas and values while working with both Democratic and Republican leaders to make progress on economic, educational, energy and environmental priorities.  We need a governor who puts aside strict partisanship and works collaboratively for sensible solutions.
2. Creigh will be most competitive in a statewide race.  To build on the Warner-Kaine tradition, we must field the most electable candidate we can.
3. On a local level, Harrisonburg and the central Shenandoah Valley can benefit from a governor with an innate knowledge of our concerns and people. Creigh has that. And that bodes well for our local transportation and infrastructure needs, as well as our business and environmental concerns and opportunities.

I believe Brian Moran’s dedicated work for women, civil rights and open government are inspired and I believe Terry McAuliffes’s emphasis on economic development is timely and informed – and all three candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor would make us proud and keep building the traditions established by Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.  However, for reasons stated above, I believe Creigh Deeds is the right candidate for this race.

For Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley, I endorse Creigh Deeds for governor and urge all local Democrats to turn out on the June 9 primary to vote for him in the primary.