Tea Party Media Advisory
(Please forward to News)
For immediate Release
December 3, 2009
Contact Mark Lloyd: email: mklloydva@earthlink.net
The VA5th District Tea Parties to sponsor three debates for GOP candidates, Call for District convention rather than primary election
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The three major Tea Party organizations in the 5th Congressional District will sponsor three debates for candidates seeking the Republication nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Thomas Perriello, D-Ivy.
The tea party leaders are also calling for the GOP to hold a district convention to elect the party’s nominee, rather than a primary election.
The debates will be schedule from January to March next year in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, and the Danville/Martinsville area preceding the anticipated 5th District Republican Convention, according to Mark Lloyd, Lynchburg Tea Party Leader.
“We don’t have the debate locations and dates firmed up yet, but we have commitments from six of the seven candidates who are competing,” said Lloyd. “In coming weeks we will nail down the details with the campaign organizations. Our intent to make the process fair and accessible to all viable candidates and give them the opportunity to prove themselves to the citizens of the 5th district.”
Lloyd said the Tea Party members are rather independent, and most are unwilling to say they are members of the GOP, or the Democrat party. “Any survey of the tea party movement will show we are usually as unsatisfied with the Republicans as we are with the Democrats. Nevertheless, as Americans we intend to make our voices heard and we intend to be part of the political process.”
“For obvious reasons we never again want our representation assigned to us from Washington D.C. party elites, with the same old party-favorite, next-in-line, mentality,” Lloyd added. “Tom Perriello must be replaced by a candidate that truly represents our district.”
Nigel Coleman, Danville Area Tea Party leader said “During the next election season people will see the growth of the Tea Party movement and its effect on the political landscape.”
Bill Hay, of the Charlottesville-based Jefferson Area Tea Party, said: “It’s so very important that the grass roots tea party patriots have a role in making this critical choice. We want someone who truly represents us.”
Lloyd said the tea party leaders favor electing the GOP nominee in a convention rather than a primary to eliminate the likelihood of cross-over votes by Democrats seeking to influence the outcome. “In a convention setting the only people who can vote are registered members
of the party. We believe this process will lead to a cleaner election across the board.”
The Libertarians seems to say what party they are a member of… though they tend to be the most upfront and outspoken folks about their beliefs.
It would be a great thing if the Libertarian Party had a candidate for this next Congressional race. I trust them based on the fact that they ARE upfront and outspoken about their beliefs.