Chichester endorses Deeds for governor: Former GOP legislators back Deeds

Jul. 23--Former Senate Finance chairman and Stafford Republican state senator John Chichester is endorsing the Democrat for governor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Sen. Creigh Deeds yesterday announced endorsements from Chichester and seven other Republican former legislators who will help form "Virginians for Deeds."

Several of the former legislators sided with Chichester in budget battles against House Republicans in past years. They include former senators Russ Potts, Marty Williams, Brandon Bell and Warren Barry, along with former delegates Panny Rhodes, Jim Dillard and Katherine Waddell, an independent.

Candidates regularly tout any support they receive from their opponent's political party; Republican candidate Bob McDonnell has previously announced the endorsements of several people who supported former governor Mark Warner or worked in his administration.

Chichester, who retired in 2007 after nearly 30 years in office, said in a telephone interview that he's backing Deeds over his own party's candidate because of Deeds' support for Chichester's budget plans during tough fiscal times earlier this decade.

In 2003 and 2004, Chichester -- the powerful leader of the Senate Finance Committee -- pushed the passage of a package of tax increases and cuts. Chichester credits that package with saving the state's bond rating and strengthening the stability of the state budget.

Many House Republicans -- including McDonnell -- opposed it.

"Creigh Deeds was there the entire time with fortitude and backbone to stand with us to accomplish that," Chichester said. "I simply can't turn my back on someone who's stood with me during those not-so-pleasant times."

Chichester's push for that tax package helped make him something of a pariah among anti-tax Republicans, who felt the state should rethink its spending priorities instead of bringing in more revenue.

Chichester said Deeds is "more in the mainstream" of how Virginians think.

Chichester donated $3,000 to Deeds during the Democratic primary last month, and said he may give more. He still has more than $260,000 in his campaign account.

In an interview, Deeds said the endorsement of the eight former legislators is a strong statement about his own ability to work across party lines.

"This year there's a lot of talk about bipartisanship, a lot of talk about reaching across the aisle. These guys know a little bit about that," Deeds said. "I'm proud as I can be to get the support of people who know it's not always about Democrats and Republicans it's about exercising independence."

In a statement, McDonnell spokeswoman Crystal Cameron said that McDonnell "respects and understands" the former legislators' decision.

"They are backing the candidate, Creigh Deeds, who agrees with their support of greater government spending and higher taxes on the people of Virginia," Cameron wrote. "It's a basic philosophical disagreement. Bob believes we will create jobs and grow our economy by keeping taxes on Virginians low and exercising much needed restraint in government spending."

To see more of The Free Lance-Star or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://fredericksburg.com/flshome . Copyright (c) 2009, The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com , call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.