News

Payne Chaired Mark Warner’s Campaign in 2001
Joined by Charlottesville Business leader Susan Payne

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Today L. F. Payne, the former Congressman from Virginia’s 5th district and former chairman of Mark Warner’s successful 2001 gubernatorial campaign announced his endorsement of Delegate Brian Moran for Governor in 2009. L. F. Payne was joined by his wife, Susan, a prominent small business owner in Charlottesville, in making today’s endorsement. Payne cited Moran’s proven record of leadership in Virginia, his commitment to economic competitiveness, and record of results in partnership with Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

This is the fourth major endorsement during Moran’s “Virginia Values Tour” which included major endorsements in Martinsville last week.

“Brian Moran has a proven record of fighting for Virginia families,” L. F. Payne said. “He has a two-decade long record of public service to Virginians and was a chief partner of Mark Warner and now of Tim Kaine.”

Payne is the former Congressman from the 5th Congressional District which includes Charlottesville, Virginia, and was Chairman of Mark Warner’s gubernatorial campaign in 2001. He is currently the President of McGuireWoods Consulting. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and former officer of the U.S. Army. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia and currently serves on the University of Virginia Board of Visitors.

Susan Payne is a partner at Payne Ross and Associates, a Charlottesville based marketing agency and has been recognized by the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce as Small Business Person of the Year. Susan is a member of the Virginia Tourism Commission and other non-profit groups as well.

“I am proud and honored to have L. F.’s and Susan’s support,” Moran said. “L. F. knows Virginia and knows what we need to move forward. I stood with him when we elected Mark Warner, and now I’m proud to have him standing with me.”

In 2001, Mark Warner was elected Governor and Brian Moran was chosen to chair the House Democratic Caucus. Under his leadership, Democrats have picked up more seats than at any point in a generation and are within striking distance of the majority.

MARTINSVILLE – Today, local Democratic leaders and officials in Martinsville endorsed Brian Moran for Governor during an event at Jefferson Plaza. They highlighted his commitment to rural economic development, support of the New College Institute in Martinsville, and plans to re-energize Virginia’s economy. The endorsers also cited Moran’s ability to win all over Virginia – including rural Virginia. Yesterday Moran laid out his vision for Virginia agriculture in a speech to the Farm Bureau Annual Convention.

Moran received the support of Delegate Ward L. Armstrong, House Minority Leader, Sheriff Steven Draper, President of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, and Martinsville Democratic Committee Chair Lorene Martin.

These endorsements represent important support for Moran across rural Virginia. They demonstrate that Moran, a candidate from Northern Virginia, is in touch with the needs of rural Virginians as well.

Moran visited Martinsville eight years ago to support the Textile Workers Relief Act, legislation that supported unemployed workers after the closing of the Tultex plant. He has worked to expand incentives for job creation, raise wages for working families and expand access to rural healthcare. Moran grew up in a middle-class family and understands the financial struggles families are facing in today’s weak economy.

“I am honored to have the support of these community leaders,” said Delegate Moran. “I plan on being a champion of rural Virginia in the Governor’s office just as Mark Warner has always been. I know that Virginia needs a leader with a record of fighting for the hard-working men and women of rural Virginia.”

Warner first suggested that Moran run for the House of Delegates. They both live in Alexandria.

The endorsement event was the third in a series of announcements of support for Moran. Earlier this month, Moran announced the support of a majority of Democratic local elected officials in bellwether Loudoun County and majority support from the Democratic Party of Virginia’s executive committee as part of his “Virginia Values Tour.”

“As the leader of House Democrats, I know that Brian has a real record of fighting and winning for Virginia Democrats all over our Commonwealth. He can win in every region and I know that Southside will have a friend in the Governor’s office with Brian Moran. I’ve been proud to serve with him and I am proud to support him.”

      - Delegate Ward Armstrong (D-10), House Minority Leader

“Virginia’s next Governor needs to be a proven fighter for Virginia Democrats in every region of the Commonwealth and have a record of working with Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. I’m proud to support Brian Moran because he can lead our region and our Commonwealth through these tough economic times. He has worked for Democrats all over Virginia, and now we’re ready to go to work for him.”

      - Lorene Martin, Chair, Martinsville Democratic Committee

"Brian Moran has a strong record in support of public safety and first responders. I'm proud to support this former Prosecutor in his bid for Governor because he understands what it takes for front-line responders to keep our neighborhoods safe. Brian has already demonstrated his interest in our region by numerous visits and his work in the General Assembly."

      - Steve M. Draper, Sheriff, Martinsville

Speech is fourth in a series on future challenges
Leadership needed to protect farms and grow agricultural economy

HOT SPRINGS – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Moran, a candidate for Governor, outlined his approach to agricultural policy in a speech today at the Virginia Farm Bureau’s annual convention. Moran highlighted his commitment to local agricultural production, agriculture research, global marketing of Virginia farm products, and energy-generating crops.

The speech was the fourth in a series of remarks in which Moran has outlined his experience, values and vision for the difficult challenges facing Virginia’s future. He has previously outlined his approaches to fiscal responsibility, environmental leadership and public safety.

“Virginia has the chance to lead the way toward a new energy future,” Moran said. “Biofuel crops are the equivalent of being able to grow fuel – to create a renewable resource that drives the 21st century economy in the same way that tobacco and other crops drove our economy in centuries past.”

Moran noted that Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industry is the single largest industry in Virginia, employing one out of every 10 Virginia workers and creating $79 billion in annual economic activity. “This is a success story that more Virginians need to know,” he said.

“We ought to be looking at ways to increase our opportunities to sell agriculture at home as well, with a better emphasis on buying local,” Moran said. “We’ve spent so much time figuring out how to get Virginia produce to market on the other side of the country that sometimes we forget that it’s easier to sell it on the other side of the county.”

The theme of this year’s conference is “Safe, Fresh and Locally Grown.”

Download the complete text of his remarks (pdf).