The co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, Sheila Crump Johnson, endorsed Virginia Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell on Monday.
“We need bold and innovative leadership to move our state forward, and that's why I've chosen to support Bob McDonnell for governor,” said Johnson, a Democrat, during remarks in Richmond, Va. “He has shown me that he has the right vision and the executive leadership skills that will guide Virginia through these challenging times.”
McDonnell, a former state attorney general, told POLITICO that he was “thrilled” to have the support of someone with Johnson’s record as a “supporter of free enterprise.”
“That’s exactly the message I’ve been trying to foster,” he said.
His opponent, state Sen. Creigh Deeds, was plagued with questions throughout the Democratic primary about his ability to rally black voters, despite cruising to a win over former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe and former state Del. Brian Moran.
McDonnell, though, insisted on Monday that the timing of Johnson’s endorsement did not reflect an early attempt to siphon black support from Deeds.
“Obviously by being a strong leader in the African-American community and co-founder Black Entertainment Television, she is well known within the African-American community,” McDonnell said, adding that the timing of her endorsement had more to do with her schedule than campaign strategy.
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