Edwards Campaign Press Release - Edwards Gains Support Of More Than 40 Prominent Virginia Democrats

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Senator John Edwards continues to gain support from people across the country, and today the John Edwards for President campaign announced that more than 40 Virginia Democratic leaders endorsed Edwards for president. These prominent leaders include state House Democratic Leader Ward Armstrong, numerous state legislators, a former President of the NAACP's Virginia State Caucus and a number of Virginia Democratic Party officials. These leaders join Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Dick Cranwell, who endorsed Edwards in February, in supporting Edwards for President.

"John Edwards will restore our standing in the world and lift up all Americans and Virginians," said Armstrong. "As we work to take back the Virginia state House, I am proud to have Senator Edwards as a partner in bringing hope and prosperity to all Americans."

"When I endorsed John in February, I said that it was because Democrats need to put our best candidate forward in 2008, and that John Edwards was the fastest horse in the race," said Cranwell. "I am proud to see that so many strong Virginia Democrats agree."

State Senator Janet Howell endorsed Edwards saying, "He has specific plans to end the war, provide universal health care, fight global warming and strengthen the middle class. Edwards is exactly the kind of leader we need."

The Virginia Democrats endorsing Edwards for president are:

Members of the Virginia General Assembly

Democratic Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates Ward Armstrong

Delegate Bill Barlow

Delegate Chuck Caputo

Delegate Bud Phillips

Delegate Jim Shuler

Delegate Vivian Watts

Senator John Edwards

Senator Edd Houck

Senator Janet Howell

Senator Phil Puckett

Senator Roscoe Reynolds

Former Delegates and Candidates

2006 11th Congressional District Democratic Candidate Andrew Hurst

Former Delegate Marian Van Landingham

Former Delegate Barnie Day

Virginia House of Delegates Candidate Eric Ferguson

Local Elected Officials

Arlington County Treasurer Frank O'Leary

Arlington County Board Member Chris Zimmerman

Arlington County School Board Chair Libby Garvey

Arlington County School Board Member Ed Fendley

Arlington County School Board Member Frank Wilson

Mayor of Charlottesville David Brown

Hampton City Treasurer Molly Joseph Ward

Smyth County Clerk of the Court Jimmy L. Warren

Washington County Treasurer Fred W. Parker

Former Arlington County School Board Chair & Current Arlington County Board Candidate Mary Hynes

Community & Party Leaders

Former Virginia State Conference of the NAACP President Emmitt Carlton

5th Congressional District Democratic Committee Chair, DPVA Steering Committee Member & Albermarle County Democratic Committee Chair Fred Hudson

8th Congressional District Democratic Committee Chair & DPVA Steering Committee Member Margo E. Horner

Accomack County Democratic Chair Frank Moore

Arlington County Democratic Chair Peter Rousselot

Bath County Democratic Chair Joe Wood

Carroll County Democratic Chair Jonathan McGrady

City of Buena Vista Democratic Chair Wilford Ramsey

Fairfax City Democratic Committee Chair Dan Drummond

Fairfax County - Lee Magisterial District Democratic Chair Hugh Robertson

Fairfax County - Mount Vernon Magisterial District Democratic Chair Scott Surovell

Fairfax County - Providence Magisterial District Democratic Chair Linda Byrne

Fairfax County - Sully Magisterial District Democratic Chair Mary Lee Cerillo

Floyd County Democratic Chair Kimberly Chiapetto

Franklin County Democratic Chair Joe Stanley

Matthews County Democratic Chair Jen Little

Lancaster County Democratic Chair Donna Thompson

Former Chair, Falls Church Democratic Committee Edna Frady

Immediate Past Chair, Charlottesville Democratic Committee Lloyd Snook