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from email:
October 25, 2006 Doug Wilder Endorses Jim Webb for United States Senate
(Richmond, Virginia)—Former Governor of Virginia and current Mayor of Richmond, L. Douglas Wilder today endorsed Jim Webb for United States Senate.
“I am going to vote for Jim Webb on November 7th, and I am going to ask Virginians to support me in doing that because I think that Jim Webb is the right man for Virginia. He deserves our support. I think he can win and I think he will win. I am very proud to be here today to say publicly: not only do I intend to vote for Jim Webb, but I endorse him wholeheartedly,” said Mayor Wilder.
In 1990, Wilder, a native of Richmond, became the first African American Governor in the United States. He remains the only African-American in the country to have held that title. Wilder, whose political career began in 1969 when he was elected to the Virginia Senate, also served as Lt. Governor of Virginia from 1986 to 1990. Most recently, Wilder earned 79% of the vote in 2004 to win Richmond’s first direct mayoral election in sixty years.
“What we need are independent thinkers who will do the right thing when it comes to foreign policy and this country's image abroad. On the domestic side, we continue to see a pattern of inefficiency, ineptitude and scandal. Funding is not directed to the working class families as much as it should be. We continue to see efforts that will take away individual freedoms rather than attempt to preserve them. We hear messages that divide rather than unite people,” said Wilder.
“We need someone who will look out for individuals of all walks of life, for the common good. We need someone who will work hard to reduce unfair tax breaks and loopholes that benefit the special interests,” said Wilder. “I believe the time is now to take the action necessary to help to turn around the ill-fated direction that this country has taken. For that reason, I will support an individual who served in combat to defend this nation, is familiar with veterans affairs, has served in federal government as Secretary of the Navy, is familiar with – and will fight for – representing the needs of the common man as Virginia's junior senator, and who understands the need to begin to put this country back on course.”
Wilder, who is a veteran of the Korean War, served in the U.S. Army and earned the Bronze Star for heroism in combat while rescuing wounded GIs and capturing enemy troops.
“Mayor Wilder understands Virginia as well as any living American. He is an historic figure who is a true pioneer in breaking down barriers in the American political system. I admire and respect him as a soldier who performed bravely in the Korean War. I’m honored and grateful to have his support,” said Jim Webb.
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