Press Releases

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on President’s Visit to the Commonwealth

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell released the following statement this evening regarding the visit of President Barack Obama and United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to the Commonwealth earlier today. McDonnell has pledged the full support of his administration in the President’s effort to expand the number of high-quality charter schools in the United States. McDonnell has previously noted that the Commonwealth’s application for the President’s $4.35 billion Race to the Top grant program was submitted last Thursday, a joint effort of the outgoing Kaine Administration and the McDonnell transition office. The Commonwealth requested $350 million in federal funding to promote charter schools.

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

	RICHMOND- Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today in celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday:
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Governor Bob McDonnell’s Cabinet Sworn-In

RICHMOND – The Cabinet of Governor Bob McDonnell was sworn in this morning during a ceremony held in the State Senate chamber at the Virginia State Capitol. Two members of McDonnell’s Cabinet, Secretary of the Commonwealth-designate Janet Polarek and Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness-designate Terrie Suit, will be sworn in on the 24th as stipulated by state code. In addition, McDonnell announced that Bob Sledd will serve as his Senior Economic Advisor, an unpaid, senior-level position. Sledd will advise the Governor on job-creation and economic development matters. Jim Cheng was sworn in as Secretary of Commerce and Trade.

Governor McDonnell Signs First Executive Orders

	RICHMOND – Immediately after taking the Oath of Office today as 71st Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Governor Bob McDonnell signed Executive Order Number One and Executive Order Number Two. The complete text of both executive orders can be found below.
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McDonnell Appoints Dr. Bill Hazel as Secretary of Health and Human Resources

	RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell made the final appointment to his Cabinet today, announcing Dr. Bill Hazel as Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Dr. Hazel is involved with numerous healthcare related associations and societies. He is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon and is a founding partner of Commonwealth Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation.
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Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell Announces Parade Participants

	RICHMOND- Governor-elect Bob McDonnell today announced that 47 groups from across the Commonwealth will be participating in Virginia's Inaugural parade on Saturday, January 16th. The parade will take place immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, starting at approximately 1:15pm.
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Statement of Bob McDonnell on the Election of Dave Marsden to the Virginia State Senate

	RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell issued the following statement tonight regarding the election of Delegate Dave Marsden to the Virginia State Senate:
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Statement of Bob McDonnell on the Election of Jeff McWaters to the Virginia State Senate

	RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell issued the following statement tonight regarding the election of Jeff McWaters to the Virginia State Senate:
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Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell to Volunteer at Central Virginia Foodbank Tomorrow

	Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, along with First Lady-designate Maureen McDonnell and two of his daughters, will continue Inaugural Week volunteering at the Central Virginia Foodbank tomorrow, Wednesday, January 13th at 2:30 p.m. He will be joined by members of the General Assembly and their spouses. The Central Virginia Foodbank is located in Richmond.
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McDonnell Names Secretary of Education; Announces Senior-Level Administration Appointments

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell continued making appointments to his Cabinet and Administration today in a morning press conference at the State Capitol. At the event McDonnell announced Gerard Robinson as the Commonwealth’s next Secretary of Education. Robinson currently serves as the President of the Black Alliance for Educational Options, and began his career as an educator in Los Angeles. He is a nationally recognized expert on the modern charter school movement and serves on the Policy Advisory Council at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and on the board of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Charter School Resource Center.

Statement of Bob McDonnell on Election of Teresa Sullivan as President of The University of Virginia

	VIRGINIA BEACH- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today following the election of University of Michigan Provost Teresa Sullivan as the next President of The University of Virginia:
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McDonnell Announces Additions to Communications Staff of Incoming Administration

RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell today announced additions to the communications staff of his incoming gubernatorial Administration. Stacey Johnson will serve as Press Secretary. Taylor Thornley, currently Deputy Director of Communications for the McDonnell Transition, will join the Administration as Deputy Press Secretary. As previously announced, J. Tucker Martin will be serving as Director of Communications.

McDonnell Announces Three Additional Cabinet Appointments

	RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced three additional appointments to his administration this morning in a press conference at the State Capitol.
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Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell Announces Inaugural Week Activities

	RICHMOND- Governor-elect Bob McDonnell today announced his full Inaugural Week schedule and unveiled the official theme of the Inauguration during a morning press conference at the State Capitol.
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