Democrat donor endorses McDonnell

A prominent African American Democrat endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell during a news conference in the state capitol Monday afternoon.

(And no, it wasn't former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, whose gubernatorial endorsement has been the source of some speculation.)

It was Sheila Crump Johnson, a co-founder of Black Entertainment Television.

A Middleburg resident, Johnson attributed her support of McDonnell to her belief in his ability to create a climate conducive to business growth and development in Virginia.

"Bob McDonnell is a leader who gets it, and I mean he gets it, and his record shows it," she said.

"As a Virginia resident and business woman, it's important to me that the economic policies of our state help, not hinder, businesses both big and small," Johnson added.

Johnson said Democrat Creigh Deeds -- mispronouncing his name as Cray, which many people do, instead of the correct Cree -- would make "a good governor" but McDonnell "would make a great governor."

Despite the endorsement, Johnson said she remains a Democrat.

Over the years, she has given heavily to Democratic candidates. Records show that 95 percent of her more than $684,000 in political contributions since 2001 have gone to Democrats. More than $611,000 of that amount went to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and his political action committee.

This year, she gave money to Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran, the two men Deeds defeated to win the party's nomination.

More details about the endorsement can be found here.

-- Julian Walker

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