Jim Webb on Tuesday picked up his first endorsement from a member of the Virginia General Assembly’s Black Caucus since seven African-American state legislators said they were “troubled” by the U.S. Senate candidate’s anti-affirmative action stance.
State Del. A. Donald McEachin, of Henrico County, announced his support of Webb on Tuesday, saying, “I found someone who I agreed with on the issues, whether it was affirmative action or national security.”
Webb came under fire in April by members of the Black Caucus, including Sen. Henry Marsh III, D-Richmond, for calling affirmative action “state-sponsored racism” in a 2000 Wall Street Journal article.
“[Webb] has never been able to explain his position. He needs to explain why he called affirmative action state-sponsored racism,” said Marsh, a Democrat, who added he knows of no other member of the Black Caucus who is supporting Webb.
All seven legislators who earlier spoke against Webb are endorsing his opponent, Harris Miller.
“Jim Webb is not against affirmative action. … We’ve made that quite clear,” said Kristian Denny Todd, a Webb spokeswoman.
After Miller and Marsh’s April news conference, Webb’s camp contacted members of the caucus “to make sure that delegates and state senators understood exactly what his position was.”
McEachin, who previously said he was going to remain neutral, met with Webb.
McEachin said Webb believes that “affirmative action was originally meant for African-Americans and should be for African-Americans. It doesn’t get any stronger than that. … I think those who suggest Jim Webb is against affirmative action are somewhat misinformed.”
Also Tuesday
» Kate Michelman, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, endorsed Harris Miller for U.S. Senate, calling him a strong advocate for “women’s issues.” Michelman questioned Jim Webb’s use of the word “extremist” when describing abortion-rights groups when he endorsed Sen. George Allen, R-Va., in 2000. Webb has said he is pro-choice and supports the Roe v. Wade ruling.
