The Republican Liberty Caucus of Virginia is gearing up for the 2009 elections, vowing to support State Senator Ken Cuccinelli in his bid to become the next Attorney General. According to the Virginia RLC’s press release, “Over the years, Ken Cuccinelli has been a strong advocate of smaller government and personal liberty” said Bert Mueller, Interim Chair of the chapter. “We are proud to endorse Mr. Cuccinelli and to work with him to bring the Republican Party back to its traditional roots.” Cuccinelli will face two Republican opponents for the GOP nomination, which will occur at the RPV Convention from May 29-30 in Richmond.

In its efforts to help Cuccinelli, the RLC of Virginia will be holding a re-organizational meeting in Richmond on May 30 in conjunction with the RPV Convention. To join the updates list of RLC activists attending this event, please contact Anthony.

In 2007, the Virginia RLC was organized at the RPV Convention due to the influx of Ron Paul supporters, however the chapter became dormant after the Ron Paul campaign. A five-member Committee has been formed to re-active and re-charter the Virginia RLC chapter.

On another note, Governor Tim Kaine has signed anti-REAL ID legislation, making Virginia the 22nd state to rebel against the legislation.

According to RLC member Donna Holt, who runs the website VALibertyDefense.org and has been coordinating the grassroots anti-REAL ID effort, “Eleven organizations came together in coalition during the 2009 legislative session to pass legislation that would prohibit the implementation of the Real ID Act of 2005.” Says Holt, “The grassroots fought feverishly to lobby the House and Senate for support of this important legislation.”

On March 30, Governor Kaine signed HB 1587/ SB 1431, which places limitations on the federal Real ID Act as it applies to Virginia drivers. REAL ID would require DMVs in every state to collect and store background information on every driver; as a result of the Virginia law, DMVs cannot collect financial data (such as tax returns or personal investment information) or biometric samples or data (such as DNA, fingerprints, or retinal scans) from drivers, even if the federal law requires those collections.