Virginia's Lt. Governor Race Heats Up

August 4, 2009
Contact: press@jodyforva.com

WAGNER CALLS ON BOLLING TO DENOUNCE MULLINS REMARKS
REPUBLICAN CHAIR SAYS SW VIRGINIANS "PREFERRED TO BE ON WELFARE"

Yesterday Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor Jody Wagner called on Bill Bolling to denounce Republican Party of Virginia State Chairman Pat Mullins' comments last week about residents of Southwest Virginia, who Mullins said "preferred to be on welfare," instead of having a job.

Said Wagner: "Pat Mullins' comments are another example of how out of touch Republicans in Virginia really are. As I've travelled throughout the Commonwealth, I've met with and spoken to hundreds of Virginians who strive day in and day out to find a job that can provide quality pay and benefits, so they can support their families. Southwest Virginians have been amongst the hardest hit by the global economic downturn, and yet just months ago, Bill Bolling and the Republicans rejected $125 million from the federal government that would have gone to helping displaced workers in the Commonwealth find new jobs and receive training. If Bill Bolling really believes any Virginian would rather receive a handout then take pride in the dignity of work, then he's simply not qualified to serve another term in state government. If he doesn't, he should join us in denouncing Pat Mullins' remarks."

According to The Recorder newspaper on Thursday, in a discussion with supporters in Monterey, Republican Party of Virginia State Chairman Pat Mullins "…ended his talk with a story about a Wise County insurance office that had to close two offices, not due to lack of work or the economy, but because it couldn't find employees. He said the employer tried to recruit employees at a nearby college campus. 'They preferred to be on welfare,' Mullins said." (The Recorder, 07/30/