The event was held at The Dock in Lansdowne Monday morning.
Film producer and part-owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards and Mystics, Sheila Johnson, a self-described “staunch Democrat,” headlined the event in pledging her support to Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell. Johnson said she got “hammered” by deciding to endorse McDonnell, but she did not care.
After interviewing all of the Democratic candidates in the gubernatorial primary, Johnson said that she found herself disappointed with their inability to convey what they stood for, or how they planned to move Virginia forward. Johnson described McDonnell as the most intelligent politician she has ever met, and was impressed with how he really listened and was able to get to the heart of every issue, particularly sex trafficking and education.
When Johnson told McDonnell that she supported him, he responded, “You’re kidding,” Johnson said.
“I wanted this to be a teaching moment for me and for everyone,” said Johnson, adding that voters cannot let political parties take advantage of them and assume they are getting votes.
She told the crowd, consisting of mostly Republican women in Loudoun, that she thought Deeds was taking advantage of women’s emotions by manipulating McDonnell’s thesis, which described working women as “detrimental” to society. “I am about women’s empowerment… Bob McDonnell is about women, employs women, and respects women. That issue should be over,” Johnson said.
Also speaking at the rally were Republicans Tag Greason, candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates (32nd district), Del. Bob Marshall (13th district) and Del. Joe May (33rd district). They urged the group to continue to pound the pavement, make phone calls and place yard signs to gain support for each of the state’s upcoming races.
The event was sponsored by the Loudoun County Republican Committee.
Election Day is Nov. 3.
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Johnson doesn't actually own the Wizards or the Capitals.