http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14239621&BRD=2271&PAG=461&dept_id=462946&rfi=6Cox kicks off reelection campaign with annual breakfast
By: Julie Buchanan, Staff Writer
COLONIAL HEIGHTS - Neither rain nor lack of parking space could stop supporters of Del. M. Kirkland Cox yesterday morning.
More than 250 people gathered at the Swift Creek Mill Playhouse when the eight-term delegate announced his candidacy for another term in the 66th House District.
Cox, a Republican, has held the office since 1989 but says announcing plans to run never becomes a "formality."
"I still have a burning desire to serve," he said.
Cox made a brief speech to the crowd, filled with state GOP leaders and constituents.
He promised to continue to work on cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay while saving taxpayers money.
"I will scrutinize every program that comes before me," Cox said. "I understand that every dollar you earn is precious."
The guest speaker for Cox's annual "legislative breakfast" was Paul Galanti, a retired U.S. Navy commander who spent seven years as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam conflict. Cox, a strong supporter of veterans and the military, said Galanti was one of his earliest supporters.
"There's no one I admire more than Paul Galanti," Cox said. "The word 'hero' is thrown around a lot. But this man is truly an American hero."
Galanti's speech focused on the work of today's Republican Party. According to him, changes made by President Bush will eventually be "more important than changes by George Washington."
"Fifty years from now, people are going to look back and see a major sea change," Galanti said.
He then compared former presidential candidate and Democratic Sen. John Kerry's vision to that of the Communists.
"I got to spend six years and eight months looking at the kind of government John Kerry would like us to have," he said. "We still have some people who want to socialize our society."
Cox, a teacher at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, was introduced to the stage by a former student, Omar Rajah. Rajah called Cox a "mentor" for his life.
"I will always embrace him as he has embraced me," Rajah said.
Also in attendance were: Sen. Bill Bolling, R-Hanover, a GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, and Del. Bob McDonnell, R-84th, a GOP candidate for attorney general.
Tickets to the event were $35 per person and $50 per couple.
Virginia's Republican primary is June 14.