On Monday, August 25, Jon was on the road again, traveling from Southwest Virginia to Northern Virginia. On his first day of a four-day trip, Jon met with political leaders in Alexandria and Haymarket. Jon then tuned in to the 2008 Democratic National Convention to watch Michelle Obama’s inspiring speech.

Jon spent the day on Tuesday, August 26, meeting with Northern Virginia political leaders from Fairfax County and Alexandria. Jon also attended a meeting with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), of which he is a member. The ASCE shares Jon’s concern with the state of infrastructure in Virginia and the nation, particularly the congested nature of our highways and the deteriorating status of our bridges, utilities, and flood control systems. With an engineering background, Jon is uniquely positioned to use his professional experience to find real solutions to the challenge of investing in (and upgrading) Virginia’s infrastructure.

Jon concluded the day with 75 dedicated Democrats at State Senator Chap Petersen’s convention watch party at the Uptown Sushi Bar. The highlight of the evening was watching former Virginia Governor Mark Warner share with the nation how Virginia Democrats have demonstrated that they are the party that knows how to govern for results…and for the future!

On Friday, August 22, Jon attended the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Finance Steering Committee meeting. There was discussion of the Association’s 2008 Legislative Program, which can be viewed here. VACo’s priorities include the following important items: “aid to localities,” “increased funding in the provision of mental health services for children,” “development of broadband internet services,” “education funding and re-benchmarking the Standards of Quality,” “substantially increas[ing] revenues for transportation,” and “health and human resources funding.”

On Thursday, August 21, Jon attended the Central Appalachian Leadership Forum at the Breaks Interstate Park. The forum included panel discussions on infrastructure, energy, transportation and economic development. According to WKYT:

Some eastern Kentucky leaders spent the day with southwest Virginia leaders at the Central Appalachian Leadership Forum at the Breaks Interstate Park.

The group says they want to work together to solve common problems.

The two groups of leaders say they have a lot in common.

They say eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia have similar problems that they’re looking for solutions to.

They mapped them out and discussed how to solve them together.

More meetings are planned, with a focus on “working together will improve life for everyone in Appalachia.”

Earlier today, Jon attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Cedar Bluff, Russell County with Congressman Rick Boucher (D-9th) on a project aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plant smokestacks. This will represent the first test in the central Appalachian basin of the storage of carbon dioxide in unmineable coal seams. According to Congressman Boucher, this is necessary because - as he said at the groundbreaking ceremony - “Carbon dioxide controls are coming.” Dr. Michael Karmis, Director of the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, also spoke at the ceremony.

On Saturday, August 16, Jon and his family spent the day traveling along the Route 58 corridor in Southwest Virginia, stopping in Galax, Independence, and Damascus. Jon spoke with local residents and business owners about the current state of the Commonwealth. High on the list of people’s concerns were jobs and the state of the economy. Not coincidentally, the top three priorities for Jon when he becomes Lieutenant Governor will be economic development, infrastructure, and energy. The latter two items on that list are crucial, of course, to maintaining a strong economy and good jobs. Jon understands this extremely well, and has the expertise from his business experience to make a real difference in these areas.

Last night, Jon attended the Virginia Victory Coordinated fundraiser at the Science Museum of Virginia to benefit Mark Warner’s U.S. Senate campaign. In attendance were supporters of Mark Warner from across the Commonwealth, as well as many elected officials. There was a small private reception, followed by a dinner, with some of the former Governor’s largest donors. Jon enjoyed talking to people, introducing himself, and explaining why he’s running for Lt. Governor.

Governor Kaine spoke briefly to the crowd, noting that $90,000 had been raised that evening. Jon then made his way to the general reception where he spent time chatting with many Democrats excited for the November elections and Jon’s candidacy for 2009. There was a short speaking program, including Delegate Jennifer McClellan, Congressman Bobby Scott, Governor Tim Kaine, and former Governor Mark Warner. The crowd was pleased to hear from each of them and especially excited to hear about Warner’s selection as keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Denver at the end of the month.

All in all, the event appeared to be highly successful. Jon was pleased that he could help support Mark Warner as well as other fine 2008 Democratic candidates!

On Monday, Jon joined Buchanan County Democrats for their committee meeting at the Courthouse in Grundy. Jon spoke to the crowd of 40 regarding the lessons he has learned in Southwest Virginia about creating jobs, building infrastructure, and finding energy solutions. Jon noted that these three issues, economic development, infrastructure, and energy, are statewide concerns that impact all Virginians, whether they live in rural, urban, or suburban areas. The members of the Buchanan County Democratic Committee meeting voted unanimously to make Jon an honorary member of their committee.

Following the meeting, Jon took time to view the US Army Corps of Engineers’ progress on the Grundy flood control project and redevelopment site in the downtown area.

Jon spent Wednesday, July 30, meeting with Richmond Democratic Party leaders, elected officials, and education advocates. Stopping for coffee with 7th Congressional District Democrats from Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield Counties, Jon took time to detail his thoughts on measures Virginia can take to address critical issues facing the Commonwealth, including job creation, investing in infrastructure, and facing the energy crisis.

Jon began his day on Thursday by meeting with Richmond City leaders and labor officials. He then headed down Interstate 64 to Newport News. Jon spent the remainder of the day meeting with Newport News community leaders before stopping to admire the ongoing expansion of Christopher Newport University.

Friday morning, Jon had breakfast with Newport News elected officials. Jon then returned home along the southern border of Virginia, crossing the James River Bridge into Isle of Wight County, then traveling through Suffolk, Southampton County, Greensville County, and into Emporia where he visited with local residents and travelers at the Love’s Travel Stop on Interstate 95.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
July 29, 2008
Brian K. Patton, Deputy Campaign Manager
Bowerbank for Lt. Governor
brian@jonbowerbank.com

Bowerbank Announces Key Hires for 2009 Lt. Governor’s Race

ROSEDALE, Virginia—July 28, 2008—Businessman and Russell County Board of Supervisors at-large member, Jon Bowerbank, announced today key campaign advisors to his 2009 Virginia Lieutenant Governor campaign. They include veterans of several national and statewide Virginia campaigns.

“I am pleased to have this impressive group of campaign professionals as part of my run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,” said Bowerbank. “With their help, I look forward to a rewarding and successful campaign.”

Key Bowerbank campaign advisors include:

* Maverick Strategies (www.maverickstrat.com) will provide strategic advice, communications and direct mail services to the Bowerbank campaign. Members of the Maverick firm include: Jessica Vanden Berg, who managed General Wesley Clark’s 2004 primary victory in Oklahoma (the only state General Clark won in 2004) and Jim Webb’s victorious primary and general election campaigns in Virginia in 2006; and Kristian Denny Todd, a highly experienced communications professional and veteran of several Democratic campaigns including U.S. Senators Ernest “Fritz” Hollings, Patty Murray, John Edwards, Bob Graham, and Jim Webb. Highly respected political strategist, Steve Jarding, who engineered Virginia Governor Mark Warner’s gubernatorial victory in 2001 and Webb’s upset victory in 2006 is also a partner at Maverick Strategies.

* Peter Brodnitz is a veteran of several successful Virginia campaigns, most notably Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s victory in 2005 and Jim Webb’s U.S. Senate victory in 2006. Brodnitz has also served as pollster for Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA). He will serve as pollster for the Bowerbank campaign.

* Lowell Feld served as netroots coordinator on the Webb for Senate campaign, has consulted on netroots strategy to the Judy Feder for Congress campaign and the South Dakota Democratic Party, runs the largest Democratic political blog in Virginia (”RK”), and is co-author of “Netroots Rising: How a Citizen Army of Bloggers and Online Activists Is Changing American Politics.” He will serve as netroots coordinator and strategist on the Bowerbank campaign.

The Bowerbank campaign has also has hired Jamie Nolan, a former fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Virginia to head up the state fundraising operation. In addition to other funds raised, Bowerbank has already invested over $250,000.00 of his own money into his campaign and the campaign has a very aggressive fundraising plan in place with the commitment that it will have all necessary resources to mount a winning campaign.

This past Thursday, Jon attended the Richmond City Democratic Committee meeting at the Science Museum of Virginia. Before joining the committee’s Sustaining Donor program, Jon spoke to the 70 people in attendance about the importance of working to elect the 2008 Democratic ticket. Jon also spoke and took questions about the three issues he will work on as Lt. Governor: economic development, infrastructure, and energy.

On Friday, Jon met with Virginia labor leaders, learning more about labor issues in Virginia. Returning home to Southwest Virginia, Jon stopped to inspect the new artificial field turf his team is installing at EMATS Field at Richlands High School.