Vice President Mike Pence joined Ryan McAdams, the Republican candidate for Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, in his campaign rally on Saturday, Oct. 22, in the SunTrust Center in downtown Richmond.
“I can tell, talking to so many supporters backstage, that you’ve already figured out what people across the district have figured out," Pence said, "that Ryan McAdams is a man with character and integrity and vision that we need in the new Republican majority.”
Pence’s appearance on McAdams' campaign trail is a part of a presidential effort to increase Republican voter turnout for the midterm election and boost fundraising for Republican candidates. During the first half of the rally, Pence took photos and shook hands at a private meet-and-greet backstage with people who had donated money to the campaign.
“They would not be here if they did not believe that we could win this, so it means a lot to get their endorsement," McAdams said. "I’m telling you, the momentum is building, and the momentum is for a win on Nov. 6.”
A former social worker in Williamsburg and a small business owner, McAdams pledged to represent farmers and work with Ben Carson, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to improve public housing in the Richmond area.
“We’ve seen the disgraceful thing that it’s been to spend trillions of dollars on a broken [welfare] system that hasn't moved the dial at all or fulfill the purpose it was intended to," McAdams said. "But I have a heart to work with our state, our local officials, to work with the private sector, to work with the nonprofit sector and try to come up with innovative designs to couple workforce training, career development, life skills training.”
McAdams criticized his main opponent, the incumbent Donald McEachin, for being an absentee congressman.
“Right now, the Democrat Donald McEachin will not lift a finger for those that are hurting in the 4th District, but he will do everything he can to support the leftist, Democratic agenda," McAdams said. "That needs to change, and we need to take back the 4th District.”
McAdams is also a senior leader of Agape Mission Church and volunteer state director for the Virginia Prayer Caucus, a nationwide movement of praying legislators and citizens. He and the other speakers appealed to Christian voters.
McAdams also evoked Trumpist rhetoric in speeches and campaign slogans, one of which said, “Take back the 4th,” referring to the 4th District.
“We know what the president is doing," McAdams said amid cheers. "He’s making America great again. And it’s time to make the 4th District great again.”
Pence urged voters to elect a Congress that aligns with a conservative president to continue achieving Trump’s goals for the country.
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"We’ve actually passed the largest increase in our national defense since the days of Ronald Reagan," Pence said. "We’re rebuilding our military. After we passed the largest tax cuts in American history, repealed more regulations than any president, unleashed American energy and we’re exporting as never before, now not 2 percent growth, but 4.2 percent economic growth.”
Two prominent African-American preachers in the community also spoke at the rally, urging the African-American community in the 4th District to get out the vote.
“Don’t ever say, especially among my people African Americans, that it doesn’t matter who’s in office," said the Rev. Leon Benjamin Sr., a Richmond pastor recently elected chairman of the city Republican committee. "Yes, it does. Elections have consequences.”
Former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell also made an appearance to introduce the vice president and urge people to get involved in campaigning.
“I want to ask you to get out there, donate, hop on board, make phone calls, do what you can and be all in,” McDonnell said.
Contact news writer Nancy Lam at nancy.lam@richmond.edu.
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