Paul and Laura Jost are moving to Florida

Paul and Laura Jost, who have been fixtures in conservative politics in the region for years, are pulling up stakes and moving to Florida.

"After spending most of our lives in Virginia, Laura and I have decided to move to Florida," Paul Jost wrote in a "Dear Friends" e-mail distributed on Friday. 

No, the Democrats are not chasing him away.

"The turmoil in the real estate market has created a significant opportunity to grow our real estate business, particularly in Florida which is experiencing a downturn greater than most other areas of the country.

"Our goal will be to acquire distressed properties being sold at significant discounts and hold them until the real estate market eventually recovers.  This is very similar to how I got started in the real estate business in the late 80's during the savings and loan crisis.  There were tremendous opportunities then for those with optimism about our economy and our country, just as there are now."

(What was it that George Bailey said to Mr. Potter? Oh yeah, that's right -- "Mr. Potter, I admire your optimism! That's what's been missing at this broken-down old building and loan -- optimism!")

Jost ran for Congress twice in the 1st District, but Republicans chose Jo Ann Davis (2000) and Rob Wittman (2007) as their candidates. Jost was co-chairman of President Bush's campaign team in the 1st District in 2000, and served as a member of Bush's recount team in Florida after the election results there were disputed.

He also lost a bitter GOP primary fight in 2003 to state Sen. Tommy Norment of James City County.

His failed candidacies aside, Jost managed to exert influence by making significant campaign contributions to conservative Republicans. Presumably, he and Laura will continue to send money in the direction of GOP candidates even after they head south.

According to the campaign finance-tracking Virginia Public Access Project, Jost gave $258,815 to GOP candidates in the 2007 election cycle, including $53,000 to state Senate candidate Tricia Stall (who ousted incumbent Republican Sen. Marty Williams), and $50,000 to Jim Gilmore's Gilmore Patriots Committee.

Besides money and elections, Jost was considered a leading spokesman for the low-tax conservative movement in Virginia. We at Shad Plank always knew him as someone who returned our phone calls, which is more than we can say for a few elected officials. (Ahem, you know who you are.)

Comments

[Iamindependent-Moderate]

Wow! Finally some good news for Virginia! Poor Florida, warning, Carpet bagger on his way!

[James Atticus Bowden]

Their gain in Florida is our loss in friendship and stalwart principles - and generous contributions based on conviction.