Newsroom Archive for 11/, 2009

Based on the still un-official results from yesterday's election here in Virginia, the Sorensen Institute is  proud to report that we had 27 Sorensen graduates win office (of the 49 running). We are looking at the potential for a pending canvass and possibly even a recount in two House of Delegates races involving alumni (see below), but for now, it looks like we have 27 alumni victories in election 2009!

* 27 Sorensen alumni won office on November 3, 2009: 10 Republicans, 14 Democrats, and 3 Independents.

* We are looking at 5 new Sorensen graduates elected to the Virginia General Assembly— four of whom are alumni of this year's Candidate Training Program!

* A total of 23 Sorensen graduates have now been elected to the Virginia General Assembly over time. Assuming the potential recounts don't change any results, 18 Sorensen graduates would serve in the GA once their terms begin in January 2010.

According to the un-official results from the Virginia State Board of Elections, Sorensen alumni who won office in yesterday's election are:

Robin Abbott (CTP Spring 2009, D): House of Delegates, 93rd

Kenny Alexander (PLP 2002, D): House of Delegates, 89th

Richard Anderson (CTP Winter 2009, R): House of Delegates, 51st

Priscilla S. Bele (CTP 2007, D): Commissioner of Revenue, Newport News City

Connie Brennan (PLP 2005, D): Board of Supervisors, Nelson County, Central District

James Brown (CTP Spring 2009, D): Sheriff, City of Charlottesville

David L. Bulova (PLP 1997, D): House of Delegates, 37th

Steve Clinton (PLP 2000, R): Board of Supervisors, Botetourt County

John A. Cosgrove (PLP 1998, R): House of Delegates, 78th

Adam P. Ebbin (PLP 2000, D): House of Delegates, 49th

Scott Garrett (CTP 2006, R): House of Delegates, 23rd

Tag Greason (CTP Winter 2009, R): House of Delegates, 32nd

Charniele L. Herring (PLP 2006; CTP 2008, D): House of Delegates, 46th

James O. Icenhour (CTP 2005, D): Board of Supervisors, James City County, Powhatan District

Kaye Kory (CTP Winter 2009, D): House of Delegates, 38th

Lynwood W. Lewis (PLP 1995; CTP 1999; D): House of Delegates, 100th

Daniel W. Marshall (CTP 2001, R): House of Delegates, 14th

Jennifer L. McClellan (PLP 2001; CTP 2005, D): House of Delegates, 71st

Michael Mondul (Danville 2004, I): Sheriff, City of Danville

Joy Moore (CTP 2005, I): Treasurer, City of Colonial Heights

Gabe Morgan (CTP 2005, R): Sheriff, City of Newport News

Dave Norris (CTP 2006, D): City Council, City of Charlottesville

David A. Nutter (CTP 2001, R): House of Delegates, 7th

Christopher Peace (PLP 2004, R): House of Delegates, 97th

Mark D. Sickles (PLP 1998, CTP 2001, D): House of Delegates, 43rd

Eric J. Strucko (PLP 1999, I): School Board Member, Albemarle County, Samuel Miller District

Rodney S. Thomas (PLP 1999, R): Board of Supervisors, Albemarle County, Rio District

*This list does not include Sornensen alumni Bobby Mathieson and Margie Vanderhye, who may seek a canvass or recount in each of their House of Delegates races, depending on the certified vote returns. 

The Sorensen Institute extends its thanks and congratulations to everyone who had the courage and conviction to stand for office, as well as all of our alumni who worked long hours for many months on a number of campaigns across Virginia. Democracy in Virginia is stronger because of you!

The Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program was founded in 1999 to teach aspiring political candidates in Virginia the fundamentals of a winning campaign for office. Participants explore the nuts and bolts of building a strong campaign from the ground up—all within the context of ethics and principled public service.

In this, its 10th anniversary year, the CTP celebrates a particularly impressive achievement. A total of seven CTP graduates of the 2009 program alone were elected to office this year: 2 to city council, 1 as sheriff, and a whopping 4 to the Virginia General Assembly: 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 1 Independent.

Of the four CTP 09 alumni who were elected to the GA, 2 are Republicans and 2 are Democrats. All of them were brand-new to state-level campaign politics.

We can say without any equivocation that the Sorensen Institute's Candidate Training Program is one of the very best programs of its kind in the world.

The 2010 Candidate Training Program is now accepting applications. Click here for more information.

Sorensen's Bob Gibson was a guest on WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show yesterday discussing the results of Election 2009. Click here or photo above for video and audio.

Applications for the Political Leaders and Candidate Training Programs Classes of 2010 are due today by 5pm.

Click here for more information and to access the online applications.

This morning's edition of the Staunton News Leader spotlights the success of Sorensen graduates in the recent elections.

The University of Virginia's Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership offers two political training programs to those interested in becoming more active in public service in Virginia – be they Republicans, Democrats or independents. In the wake of Tuesday's elections, it's clear that the programs are working.

Click here for the full article.

The University of Virginia's Cavalier Daily has a story in today's issue about the successes of Sorensen graduates in the recent elections. The article includes interviews with Bob Gibon and James Brown (CTP Spring 09), who was elected Sheriff in Charlottesville last week.

Click here for the article.