For IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 10, 2009

– CANDIDATES JOIN FORMER AG BOB MCDONNELL ON STRONG REPUBLICAN TICKET FOR GOVERNOR, LT. GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL –

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Republican Paul Sanford pulled out a strong victory tonight in the special election for the Alabama State Senate. Sanford will represent the 7th Senate District and brings his entrepreneurial spirit and small business experience to the legislature – especially important during these challenging economic times. Sanford’s win tonight continues the number of Republicans winning at the state level following the November Presidential Election – demonstrating that limited government solutions and individual opportunity resonate with hardworking families and business owners. The Republican State Leadership Committee, the nation’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders, congratulated Sanford on his election win in Alabama.

“Paul Sanford brings small business experience to the Alabama Senate at such a crucial time of economic challenge. Paul will roll up his sleeves and fight for free market principle and the people of the 7th District in Montgomery,” said RSLC President Scott Ward. “Paul understands that the people of his district want a leader who will spend their dollar wisely – and that’s what they’ll get. As we continue to rebuild the Republican Party by building a farm team for the future at the state level, we are thrilled to welcome Paul Sanford to the team.”

The RSLC implemented a new media strategy focusing on the special elections in state legislatures across the country – including Alabama – to heighten the awareness of the importance of winning these seats. In addition to Sanford’s success tonight, Republicans have won eleven other special elections for the state legislature since November, including: Barry Knight from the 81st House District of Va. in the backyard of DNC Chairman Governor Tim Kaine; Tom Kovach from the 6th District of the Del. House, which includes Vice President Joe Biden’s hometown; Joan Huffman came from behind to win in a run-off election for the Texas Senate; Marilinda Garcia in the 4th House District of N.H.; and Rosa Rebimbas from the 70th House District of Conn.

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is the only national organization whose mission is electing Republicans to the office of Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and State Legislator. The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders in the country – making a national impact one state at a time. During the 2008 election the RSLC helped maintain the number of Republican Attorneys General and Lieutenant Governors across the U.S. In addition, the RSLC was able to deliver new Republican majorities in the Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee state senates, as well as an unprecedented majority in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

The RSLC has over 75,000 donors from all 50 states supporting the RSLC’s goals to pursue a pro-growth agenda, including reforming the tax code, healthcare and legal systems; promoting a better educational system; encouraging sound energy initiatives; and advocating public safety through tough, crime-fighting policies.