Va. GOV: BET co-founder Sheila Johnson endorses McDonnell

Virginia billionaire and the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television Sheila Johnson endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell's run for governor in Richmond on Monday, giving the GOP a prominent black female supporter in therace against Democrat Creigh Deeds.

This has to be a warning shot to Deeds' team especially because the Bath County Democrat did not perform well with black voters during the primary against Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran. Johnson, a Middleburg resident, and her husband founded the African-American televison channel are retain a powerful amount of clout within the black community. 

Once again McDonnell is working to show that his campaign is a different animal then the GOP statewide candidates who have run - and lost - recently in Virginia. While Deeds probably doesn't have to worry about McDonnell winning over the black caucus anytime soon, folks will take notice that a prominent black woman is endorsing the GOP standard-bearer. 

Deeds knows that he is going to be able to rely on President Barack Obama on the campaign trail, which ought to help him make up ground in urban areas like Hampton Roads and Richmond. In fact it ought to help him get much better numbers in U.S. Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott's rambling district which Deeds lost during the primary. 

I have to confess a certainly lack of knowledge about Johnson's story, but here's a great story from the Washington Post about Johnson's wedding in 2005 - which sounded likeome sort of barbie fantasy taken to extremes.

UPDATE: Interesting to check out Johnson's donations over the years. The self-described life-long Democrat has given generously to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine - to the tune of $600,000 over the past eight years. But it's more interesting to get a look at her 2009 report which lists two checks for $1,000 - one for Brian Moran and one for Terry McAuliffe. If this an anybody-but-Deeds endorsement by the co-founder of BET?

And click below the jump to read the full release from Team McDonnell:

Speaking about the endorsement, Johnson said, "Make no mistake, these are tough economic times for all Virginians. Unemployment is on the rise and families are struggling to stay in their homes. We need bold and innovative leadership to move our state forward and that's why I've chosen to support Bob McDonnell for Governor.  He has shown me that he has the right vision and the executive leadership skills that will guide Virginia through these challenging times. He understands that we have to help businesses in our state - both big and small - thrive so that we put Virginians back to work. I'm proud to endorse Bob McDonnell to be our next governor."

Bob McDonnell noted, "Sheila Johnson is known worldwide for her business acumen, artistic talent, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to helping others. Here in the Commonwealth she is one of our leading citizens as a businesswoman, employer, developer, charitable donor and passionate advocate for her many causes. I have gotten to know Sheila, and I know she takes her political endorsements very seriously. We share a mutual commitment to revitalizing Virginia's economy, getting Virginians back to work and ensuring that the same opportunities that we have both been blessed by will still be there for future generations."

McDonnell continued, "We are running a positive campaign dedicated to bringing people together to create new jobs and more opportunities in Virginia. Today's announcement speaks to the growing support for our effort. I am tremendously honored to have received Sheila's endorsement. I look forward to working with her in the years ahead as we get Virginia's economy back on track and our citizens back to work."

About Sheila C. Johnson

Sheila C. Johnson is the CEO of Salamander Hospitality, a company she founded in 2005. As CEO, Ms. Johnson oversees a growing portfolio of luxury properties including Woodlands Inn in Summerville, South Carolina and Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club (a 900 acre, 72-hole resort) in Innisbrook, Florida.  In 2008, Salamander Hospitality began construction on Salamander Resort & Spa, located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Middleburg, Virginia. When the resort opens in spring 2011, it is poised to become one of the most unique and sought after retreats in the world. Ms. Johnson presently owns Market Salamander and Salamander Touch also located in Middleburg. 

As a partner in Lincoln Holdings, Ms. Johnson is the only African-American woman to have ownership in three professional sports teams: the WNBA's Washington Mystics, the NBA's Washington Wizards and the NHL's Washington Capitals. Ms. Johnson serves as President and Managing Partner of the Mystics.  Ms. Johnson is also a partner in ProJet Aviation, a comprehensive aviation service company specializing in aviation consulting, aircraft acquisitions, management, and charter services based in Winchester, Virginia.

Ms. Johnson has long been a powerful influence in the entertainment industry as a founding partner of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and most recently as a film producer. In partnership with other investors, her first film, Kicking It, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT. She served as sole executive producer on her second film, A Powerful Noise, which premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. As a philanthropist, she has been a strong advocate of CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. An avid supporter of the arts and an accomplished violinist, Ms. Johnson serves as Chair of the Board of Governors of Parsons The New School for Design in New York, a board member of the Americans for the Arts, and a supporter of VH1 Save the Music Foundation.   She sits on the boards of the Tiger Woods Foundation, The Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia, and the University of Illinois Foundation. Johnson is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in music from the University of Illinois, as well as honorary degrees from numerous other institutions. Ms. Johnson lives in Middleburg, Virginia.

Comments

[arlenearmy]

Im actually proud of Sheila Johnson for supporting & campaigning for McDonnell. It's a refreshing sign that blacks don't have to be stigmatized as being democrats. And to boot, another long-life black democrat : Doug Wilder - rebuffed Obama, when Obama asked Wilder to endorse Deed (democrat). Wilder refused. Wilder indicated that black vote has been taken for granted too long by the democrat party.

Finally.... some blacks are seeing the light. Thank YOU very much Sheila & Wilder.

[Buy term papers]

Blogs are so interactive where we get lots of informative on any topics...... nice job keep it up !!

[laura]

could not be any worse than bobby scott endorsing mcawful.

[Dean Cockrum]

Maybe they are not typical, they maybe tired of broken promises and people like Barb Boxer's the racist Senator. In fact your post calling here a typical black is racial and offense.

[Ken Cutts]

I think she is an inspiration to the possible!

[MyOwnMind]

It's typical of Black people who have "arrived" to want to further divide the Black community. As I sit and listen to republicans sprout racial slurs at Blacks, and President Obama, and most recently, Jude Sonya Sotomayor and hispanics, I wonder what is really going on here. I just phoned Ebony magazine because I received a renewal notification. I asked if this was the same Sheila Johnson who is backing this republican in VA. The response was "I don't know", however, google her name to find out. I did and I will not be renewing my subscription. I did the same and cancelled for a year when her ignorant husband went on his rant about then candidate Barack Obama. This is the ignorance that gets us nowhere. Take notes, Bob and Sheila. You may have money and power but you don't think or speak for this Black American woman. I wonder how many other Black communities will see the light.