With the June primaries now over, it’s time to look toward the November elections, which include all 100 seats in the House of Delegates as well as the statewide races for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General, and our June meeting included intense discussion of the difficulties the statewide Republican ticket presents to our members and supporters. Statewide, candidates perceived as more socially tolerant did not do well in the primary, and the Republican candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General (Jerry Kilgore, Bill Bolling, and Bob McDonnell, respectively) can be fairly categorized as social conservatives not given to support for equal rights for gay and lesbian Virginians. They deviate little from down the line support for most, if not all, of the political agenda of the Family Foundation. Once again, a tiny percentage of Republican Party voters has chosen statewide candidates who promote an agenda based more on their private religious values rather than the traditional Republican principles of individual rights and limited government. This will certainly pose a problem for the Party, because at just the time when the Republican candidates and Party leaders should be reaching out to more moderate voters and independents across the state, they are by and large playing mostly to a narrow segment in the Republican Party.

That is unfortunate, because this year, Republicans (and others) fed up with the seeming dominance of the religious right over our Party have another choice besides Jerry Kilgore or Tim Kaine, the Democratic candidate (or simply not voting). For better or for worse, Sen. Russ Potts from Winchester is also running for Governor as an “independent Republican,” combining support for higher transportation taxes and spending with a more laissez faire approach to contentious social issues like gay rights and abortion, to name two. While it is traditionally difficult for third party and independent candidates to win, the willingness of Sen. Potts to speak out and criticize both Democrats and Republicans could have great appeal to voters in both parties. Republicans will ignore Sen. Potts at their own peril.

Unless Mr. Kilgore and the Republican ticket wish to go the way of Mark Earley and Jay Katzen four years ago, we believe they had better start putting a more socially tolerant face on the Republican ticket. There is still time for Mr. Kilgore to prove to voters that he is an inclusive Republican in the mold of President George W. Bush rather than simply a spokesman for the religious right’s agenda. We do not believe Mr. Kilgore is a man of hate, quite the contrary. But there are certainly many in the state who do because of his public record of statements and actions opposed to equality of rights for all citizens, not to mention the voting records of his running mates. We stand ready and willing to help Mr. Kilgore fashion a more socially-tolerant message designed to bring in more moderate and independent voters, but so far we have seen little indication of a desire to change course.

As we mentioned earlier, all 100 seats in the House are up for reelection, and there are a number of open seats as well. There are many good Republicans running, both as incumbents and as challengers. The Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia PAC will be evaluating these candidates over the next two months, at which point we’ll be making endorsements and contributions. We want to thank those current Republican House members around the state who have voted for equal rights and fairness in the past, and we encourage all Republican candidates to adopt an inclusive message of equality of rights for all.

Undoubtedly, this year’s election will present our members and supporters with difficult choices, so we will be providing as much information as possible about the public records and positions of all the statewide candidates, as well as the House and local races, so stay tuned.

Speaking of local races, a famous Massachusetts Democrat (aren’t they all?) once said that all politics is local. On a more local level, Bill Barker, candidate for the Arlington County School Board spoke to the Club in June about his candidacy, and what he hopes to bring to the Board. Except for just one member of the Arlington School Board, the County Board and School Board are controlled by one political faction. Candidates for the school board run as independents, but there appears to be anything but “independence” in many of their decisions. Bill gave examples of what he considers to be fiscal mismanagement and misguided priorities, and invited Club members to share our priorities and concerns with him. We may not all have children in public schools, but we all pay taxes, and we have a right to demand value for our money. Bill invited members of the Club to share ideas and concerns with him, and to get involved in his campaign. Find out what you can do to bring some diversity to the Arlington County School Board by logging on to Bill’s website at www.barkerforschools.com.

We’ve invited three Republican candidates for the House of Delegates to visit and tell us about their campaigns. They are

Greg Scoma, running in the 44 th District against the Democratic incumbent, Kris Amundson. In the past two elections, the Republican candidate has lost this race by a slim margin.

Jim Hyland, running in the 35 th District against the Democratic incumbent, Steve Shannon, who is in his first term after beating Rob McDowell, the Republican, two years ago. Log Cabin endorsed Jim two years ago in his unsuccessful race for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

John Mason, running for an open seat in the 37 th District vacated by Del. Chap Peterson, the Democratic incumbent who ran and lost a race for Lt. Governor in the Democratic primary last month. Mason was mayor of Fairfax City for 12 years.

As usual, the meeting will take place at the Boulevard Woodgrill in Clarendon. The social begins at 6:30 and the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.

In lieu of our monthly meeting in August, the Club will be holding its annual summer picnic on Sunday, August 14, from noon until 5 PM at Fort Ward Park in Alexandria. The address is 4301 Braddock Road, and the event will be held, rain or shine. As always, we have a covered picnic area to protect us from the sun or the rain, so plan to attend and bring a friend. This is a great opportunity to discuss the Club’s activities and purpose in an informal setting, and, as in the past, it should also be an opportunity to interact with candidates for elected office. A suggested contribution of $15.00 covers food and beverages (including a beer keg), and any new member who joins at the picnic will get in free. E-mail notices with complete information will be going out soon, and a separate invitation with map and directions will be mailed as well.

Membership renewal notices will be going in the mail soon, and we’re asking for your support. The Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia lobbies legislators, engages the gay and straight communities at Gay Pride events around the commonwealth, provides position papers to legislators and the press, and tells our stories to many who would demonize and marginalize us. When we meet with elected officials, it counts when we can say that we represent the gay, Republican community, and since money talks, it helps that our PAC checkbook opens doors. Please open your checkbooks so that we can open doors. We’re here, we’re gay, and we’re proud Republicans. We ask for no special rights, just equal rights. With your membership, we can speak for you.

Dues remain the same as last year:

Singles: $50.00/year

Couples: $80.00/year

At-large members: $10.00/year

Students: Half-price of the applicable category above.

Kyle Sutton, our Social Director, has been putting together ideas for more social activities, and we want to hear from you. Possibilities include: a bowling night (either as the Club or in competition with other gay/lesbian groups); a Nationals baseball game; a trip to Kings Dominion; and a September pool party, at the home of members who have offered their pool.

These activities would be in addition to our regular monthly meetings, which some people think are too much work and not enough play. If you’re interested in any of these activities, please feel free to talk to any officer at the regular monthly meetings, at the annual picnic, or e-mail Kyle at kyle.sutton@cox.net.

To borrow a line from a classic movie, “It’s alive!” Although the finishing touches are still to be put in place, our new website, www.VirginiaLogCabin.org, is up and running. We, along with many of our members, were disappointed that our old website had fallen into disrepair. This was due to reasons beyond our control, but officers have been meeting to put together a new and better website. Your suggestions and ideas for content and improvement are welcome, and if you would be able and willing to help us maintain the website,we need you! Your total commitment might be as little as a few hours a month, and it would give you an opportunity to help us grow and serve our members better. Please feel free to speak to any Club officer at any event, or easier yet, contact us by e-mail at dclampo@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, July 19 – Regular monthly meeting at the Boulevard Woodgrill in Arlington. As usual, the social period begins at 6:30 and the meeting will start at 7:00. Dinner is available afterwards.

Sunday, August 14 – Annual summer picnic held in lieu of our regular monthly meeting, at Fort Ward Park in Alexandria, from noon until 5 pm. See above for more details.

Tuesday, September 27 – Fundraiser for Bill Cleveland, candidate for sheriff in Alexandria, at the home of Carl Jackson and Si Snow, 6:30 until 9 pm. Bill has been a longtime friend and supporter of Log Cabin Republicans and is a former city council member. More details will appear in the next newsletter.

Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia

P.O. Box 16611, Alexandria, VA 22302