Anthony Bedell to Step Down as Fairfax GOP Chair
Bedell has served two terms; increased membership, giving and participation.
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Fairfax County Republican Committee Chairman Anthony Bedell will not seek a third term.
Bedell's official announcement came one day after the November 8 General Election, but Braddock District Supervisor John Cook says it's been known for several years. "This [high pressure] thankless job is not the type most people stay in for a long time," said Cook. "When Anthony announced he'd serve a second term, he made it clear that would be it."
"Anthony has done an outstanding job," said Cook. "When he started as chairman of the committee, it was right at the end of the 2008 presidential election when Republicans had been beaten and the county committee had pretty much hit bottom," said Cook.
"Under Anthony's leadership, membership has more than doubled to over 600, money has been raised, and our influence has increased," said Cook. "Anthony created a leadership team which now has a lot of people active and invested."
Two members of the Fairfax County Republican Committee have declared their candidacy for the chairman's position. Jay McConville has served two years as vice chairman for budget and finance on the committee. He ran for delegate in the 44th district (Mount Vernon, Alexandria and Fort Hunt) in 2009.
Matt Ames currently serves as the vice chairman for operations and Providence District chairman for the Fairfax County Republican Committee.
“It’s a very time-consuming job, especially with a wife, three children and a full-time job,” said Bedell to the Sun Gazette. “It’s a perfect time to hand it off to the next generation of leaders."
The election for a new chairman will occur at the 2012 Fairfax County Republican Committee Convention at a date and site to be determined in the spring of 2012.
Bedell, 43, is a graduate of West Springfield High School (1986) and Virginia Commonwealth University (1996). He has worked on more than a dozen Republican campaigns including George Allen’s 1993 gubernatorial campaign, Allen’s 2006 senatorial race, and Bush-Cheney 2000 and 2004. He is a United States Air Force veteran. He lives in Falls Church with his wife and two children.
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West Springfield High School
6100 Rolling Rd, Springfield, VA -
Fairfax County Government: Braddock Hall - Office of Braddock District Supervisor
9002 Burke Lake Rd, Burke, VA
Will Radle
4:11 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Anthony Beddell, thank you for your service as a volunteer and for remaining an active, important part of our community.
A. Will Radle, Jr.
Creating a Culture of Listening
FairfaxAdvocates@gmail.com
Linda Bartlett
5:11 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thank you, Anthony. You have been a huge asset for the Fairfax County Republicans and therefore for the county as a whole. Just a few weeks ago the Post ran a story about government corruption and a comment that blamed one party rule over an extended period of time. Even in the Democrat Party bastion of Philadelphia one newspaper exhorted citizens in their city election on November 8 to vote Republican as the city council is beyond corrupt, and therefore ineffective. Gerald Connolly and Sharon Bulova would rather not have to bother with differing opinions, but your efforts will help keep them honest and at least less trouble, so on their behalf, and on behalf of other right-minded citizens like me, again I say, thank you, Anthony.
Mary Bell
5:32 pm on Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Anthony Bedell has done an outstanding job as chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee. He even makes the meetings fun--which is saying a lot for him!Best wishes in your future, Anthony.
DC Tillson
11:29 am on Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Anthony Bedell is truly the greatest thing to happen to the FCRC in over a decade. He turned the organization into a fundraising machine, delivered a crucial Fairfax victory for Governor McDonnell in 2009, and grew the committee from 300-637 members in one year. He is nothing short of a living legend.
Marta D. Saltus
3:41 pm on Friday, November 25, 2011
Daniel and Susan Falconer are to be commended as well! Their efforts and energy were crucial in the Committee's membership increase, fundraising and overall enthusiasm! Kudos are due to all the FCRC staff!
April Lyman
11:59 am on Saturday, November 26, 2011
Anthony Bedell is truly an amazing chairman! He will be sorely missed.
Gerrie Smith
1:57 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
The leadership that Anthony Bedell has provided has been vitally important to our candidates as well as to our party. Wise beyond his years, his enduring legacy will resonate throughout the county as we move forward into the next election year cycle. He will be sorely missed as a confidant and stalwart champion for the GOP in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Matt Genkinger
8:06 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
Anthony Bedell took the reigns of the FCRC at the worst imaginable time. Faced with adversity, Anthony has not only righted the ship, but kept the ship from sinking! Under his leadership, the GOP field in 2011 was populated with more candidates than memory serves. Job well done, Anthony! You have the set the bar extremely high for your eventual successor.