We recently announced our Virginia Leaders contest, and we asked you to decide who should get a $2,500 contribution. Your response was so tremendous that we decided to up the stakes, and offered a $5,000 to the candidate with the most votes, and a $2,500 contribution to the first runner up. We received thousands of votes from all across the Commonwealth. Today, we’re pleased to announce the winners of the Virginia Leaders contest.

First runner up is a Virginia leader who has a strong record of public service in Virginia. Beginning her career as one of Virginia’s first nurse-practitioners, she soon found herself running for the Nelson County School Board, then becoming the first woman ever to be elected to serve on the Nelson County Board of Supervisors. She was elected to represent Nelson and six other counties on the Virginia Association of Counties Board of Directors, and serve as Chair of that organization’s Health and Human Services Committee, and was a founding member of the Rural Caucus.

Congratulations to our first runner up! District 59, Connie Brennan is a true Virginia leader.

The winner of the Virginia leader contest is a great candidate with a long and prestigious record in her community. A Virginia business owner for 25 years, she has been Treasurer of her church for almost 20 years. She is a respected accountant and a member of the Galax School Board.

Our heartiest congratulations go to the winner of the Virginia Leaders contest – District 5, and their next Delegate, Susie Dixon Garner.

When we decided to hold the Virginia Leaders contest, we knew we were supporting a great slate of candidates. And it’s clear that you agree. Over the past few weeks, we received thousands of votes from across the state. With a Democratic field this strong, we’re excited about the opportunity to change the assembly in the next elections.

I look forward to working with all of these Virginia leaders in the Assembly, and I look forward to working with all of you over the next few years as we continue to bring common sense leadership and prosperity to Virginia.