GOVERNOR ROBERT McDONNELL OF VIRGINIA TRUMPS ALL OTHER GOP CANDIDATES
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/
71st Governor of Virginia
Robert F. McDonnell – Short Bio
Bob McDonnell was sworn in as the 71st governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia on January 16, 2010. In his campaign for the office he received nearly 59% of the vote, and the most votes of any candidate for governor in Virginia history.
As Virginia’s Chief Executive, he has built a record of results.
He reduced state spending to 2006 levels by cutting $6 billion out of two budgets, and defeating attempts to levy a $2 billion increase in the state income tax. The governor has focused on job-creation and economic development and has enacted bold new policies to help spur economic growth in the Commonwealth. Since February 2010, the state unemployment rate has fallen from 7.2% to 6.5%, the ninth lowest unemployment rate in the nation.
The governor’s 2011 transportation package passed the General Assembly with broad bipartisan support. It creates a framework to put nearly $4 billion into transportation over just the next three years and is the largest investment made in Virginia’s roads, bridges and transit in a generation. Also in the 2011 session, the governor was successful in moving forward his bold higher education plan that creates the pathway to 100,000 more degrees being awarded in the Commonwealth over the next 15 years. The plan will make college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students. McDonnell has also led on major education reforms to bring more charter schools to the Commonwealth and expand virtual learning programs.
The governor has dedicated his life to public service. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1997.
Upon graduating from law school in 1989 he served as a Virginia Beach prosecutor. McDonnell was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1991 and served 14 years representing Virginia Beach. He was elected as the 44th attorney general of Virginia in 2005. As attorney general, McDonnell kept all seven of his campaign promises and successfully passed 92 of his 105 legislative proposals, with strong bipartisan support.
McDonnell was raised in Fairfax County. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame (BBA), Boston University (MSBA) and Regent University (JD and MA). He and his wife Maureen have been married for 34 years. They have 5 children, ages 19-30. Their oldest daughter, Jeanine, served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Baghdad, Iraq in 2005-2006.
Key Bio Points
- Received the most votes of any candidate for governor in Virginia history
- Closed two budget shortfalls of $1.8 billion and $4.2 billion without raising taxes
- Reduced state spending to 2006 levels
- McDonnell’s transportation package will put the most new funding into Virginia roads, rail and transit in a generation
- Married 34 years to Maureen McDonnell
- Father of 5 children
- Oldest daughter, Jeanine, was Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and is an Iraq War veteran
- McDonnell served 21 years in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and reserves
- Retired as a Lt. Colonel
- Has a master’s degree in business administration and public policy, as well as a law degree
- Worked for a Fortune 500 company
- Is a former prosecutor
- Served 14 years in the Virginia House of Delegates, serving as Chairman of the powerful Courts of Justice Committee and Assistant Majority Leader
- As attorney general, 92 of his 105 legislative proposals were passed into law
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell for President?
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is enjoying a 66% approval rating in the latest Roanoke College poll that was released on Thursday, up from 57% in December. After a landslide win in November 2009 and after more than a year in the top position, he has been highly praised for his leadership ability.
Often mentioned as a rising star on the national stage, McDonnell continues to lead as the 71st Governor with the same high energy, hands-on work ethic he has applied to his life.
Balancing the budget without raising taxes during the 2010 General Assembly showed he was willing to work on both sides of the aisle while keeping a campaign promise to bring jobs to Virginia, something he has continued during his fourteen months in office.
At the conclusion of this year’s 2011 legislative session, 92% of his agenda passed the General Assembly as he worked to solve transportation issues, make higher education more accessible, and streamline state government. On Thursday, he signed the first part of his “Opportunity at Work” legislative package designed to help attract new businesses to Virginia and help existing businesses grow and expand.
As vice chair of the Republican Governors Association and set to become chairman in 2012, McDonnell has been looked at from a leadership perspective and his name has been mentioned and added to the mix for Vice President in 2012. In February 2011, Anita Kumar with the Washington Post wrote, “Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday morning he would run for vice president on the Republican ticket in 2012 if asked, but that he was not seeking it out.”
Because of McDonnell’s leadership accomplishments in Virginia, his respect among business and community leaders as well as grassroots supporters, and his willingness to work with those on both sides of the aisle, I have to agree with Jim Hoeft at Bearing Drift blog and ask, “Why is this man not in the discussion for President?”
Bob McDonnell for President 2012? With Republicans looking for someone to lead, a McDonnell presidential run may not be out of the question.
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