Richmond, VA - Today, Kaine for Virginia launched Realtors and Developers for Kaine, the latest constituency group to join former Governor Tim Kaine’s coalition to ensure his election to the U.S. Senate. The group of nearly 60 housing professionals represents diverse backgrounds and regions of the state and decades of experience in the housing market.
“After reckless policies nearly tanked the housing market, I’m encouraged by the increase in construction and ownership levels both here in Virginia and across the country, but we face serious challenges like the impending fiscal cliff,” said Jeremy Caleb Johnson, a realtor from Virginia Beach. “To solve these challenges we need more leaders like Tim Kaine who will lay out a specific plan to avert this threat to our economy and who will be open to compromise in order to move Virginia forward. Solving our economic challenges will take tough leaders like Tim but it’s absolutely necessary to continue our recovery and increase growth.”
In April, Kaine released his economic plan, including specific proposals to improve the housing market like reassessing the federal government’s role in housing finance, strengthening Freddie Mae and Fannie Mac, and supporting the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).
“We’ve seen strong gains in the housing market lately and need to put leaders in place who will put partisanship aside to do what’s best for the country and for our commonwealth,” said Jennifer Johnson, a licensed realtor from Reston. “Tim Kaine has a strong track record of pro-business, pro-housing market policies as governor and I know he’ll make a great U.S. Senator. What’s most important though, is that Tim is always willing to listen to a new idea or suggestion and won’t be another politician whose rigidity makes compromise impossible. That’s why I’m proud to support him in this race.”
“Tim Kaine has always been a strong supporter of economic policies that increase the ability of Virginians to purchase homes and expand their economic potential," said Pete Foster, a small business owner and realtor from Richmond. "We can’t go back to the practices that caused the housing crisis but instead must find a regulatory balance that ensures protections for homeowners and bolsters the market. I am confident Tim Kaine will work with members of both parties to find that balance in the U.S. Senate.”
“I am honored to have the support of dozens of realtors from across Virginia. The rebound of our housing market is critical to our economic success and I am committed to pursuing policies that bolster home ownership and foster robust construction and renovation,” said Kaine. “These professionals have unique expertise in this area and an important perspective on housing policies. I hope to tap their wisdom and knowledge for the good of the Commonwealth.”
A list of realtors and developers who announced their support for Kaine today is below.
Lawrence Barnett
Willis P. Blackwood
E. Derwin Booker, Jr.
Pat Brosnan
Raymond Brown
James A. Bryant
Pat Bryant
Koontz Campbell
Debra Coombs
Paul Donaldson
Debbie Donour
John Edelmann
Nancy Fahy
Sasha Finch
Pete Foster
Blaise de Franceaux
David Wayne Goodman
Alan Hahn
Archie Harders
James Haverty
Carol Hooks
Anna Wilson Hudson
Joan Jay
Carl Johansen
Jennifer VE Johnson
Ralph Johnson
Thomas G. Johnson, III
Jeremy Caleb Johnson
Mike Kane
Don King
William Lauer
Eugene M. Levin
Paul Lewis
Harvey L. Lindsay
Nancy Macklin
Mark R. Merhige
Dave Millard
Barbara Miller
Genie Nguyen
Sandi Poole
Nancy Jo Powers
Ellen Pritchett
Tamara Purvis
Kerry Riley
Doug Rogers
Wanda Ruffin
Ron San Severino
Jay Shah
Lynn Shapiro
Thomas C. Shooltz
Juliani M. Sidharta
Bruce Slater
W. Carter Snipes
Jeremy Stewart
Judith R. Thaler
Diana H. Wahl
Ellen Young
Louis G Zindel III
Eileen Casamo
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