page_title: Draft Mark Warner movement
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Draft Mark Warner movement / History
context_page_description: The Draft Mark Warner for President committee was an effort to promote the candidacy of former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner. It was founded the day after the 2004 presidential election by Democratic Party activist Eddie Ratliff of Virginia. On October 23, 2007, the Draft Warner for President Committee received a letter from the Federal Elections Commission in response to the committee's declaration of intent to cease operations, dated October 2, 2007, and was allowed to terminate its affairs and cease filing with the FEC. Warner had announced his intent to become a Senate candidate prior to the committee's letter to the FEC.
context_section_description: Ratliff created the 2004 Virginia for Wesley Clark network and was a lead organizer for Clark’s Virginia ballot initiative. Clark was the last to enter the democratic primary in Virginia and the first on the ballot. Soon after the website, https://web.archive.org/web/20060706010552/http://www.draftmarkwarner.com/ was created, Ratliff was joined by Steve Deak and Eddie Hartman who were also initial Co-Founders of the draft movement. Steve Deak was a Loudoun County Democratic Party Chair and County Coordinator for Governor Warner’s 2001 campaign, and became the Southern Regional Director for Draft Mark Warner committee. Hartman, a partner at LegalZoom, worked on efforts in Southern California. Delegate Onzlee Ware, of the Virginia House of Delegates and PR professional Mike Smith served as the Official DMW Spokespersons. 
  After the election of Governor Tim Kaine in November 2005, the committee  had activity in dozens of states, conducting events nationwide. On March 9th, 2006 the Draft Mark Warner filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission and officially became the Draft Mark Warner for President PAC. Terry Frye, the Bristol, Virginia Commissioner of Revenue serves as the PAC's Treasurer along with Virginia Democratic Activist Joan Baker Washburn as the Assistant Treasurer. 
  Draft Mark Warner started its on-the-ground operations at the West Virginia Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on April 27th, 2005. Since that time, the group has organized dozens of events nationwide publicizing the candidacy of  Governor Warner and helping to up his name recognition.
  When Governor Warner announced his decision to not run in 2008, the Draft committee had state & congressional directors in 39 states, along with affiliated groups such as Young Americans for Warner, Veterans for Warner, and Americans Abroad for Warner.
  After becoming a political action committee, Draft Mark Warner raised the funds necessary to conduct events nationwide, attending such events as the National Young Democrats Convention, the National Federation of Democratic Women Convention, the National College Democrats Convention, the first Yearly KOS Convention (Las Vegas), and many others. 
  The PAC started its fundraising campaign in Virginia, by gaining the endorsements of key business and legislative leaders to serve as Honorary Chairs in each region of the Commonwealth. These key officials lent credibility to the PACs goals and were instrumental in hosting events, raising money, making news, and promoting Governor Warner's run for the White House.
  Former State Senator Madison Mayre served as Honorary Chairman of the Draft in Southwest Virginia. Northern Virginia Honorary Chairs included Delegate Brian Moran (46th District), State Senator Richard S, Saslaw (35th District), and State Senator Mary Margaret Whipple (Chair of the Senate Democratic Causus). Richmond businessman and former Delegate R.S. (Major) Reynolds III, State Senator Henry Marsh III, and Delegate Frank Hall were named Honorary Co-Chairs of the greater Richmond Area.  Delegate David E. Poisson served in Central Virginia.
caption: A map of the group's early initial activities charts its progress as it started to gain momentum. Blue indicates states (15) where Draft Mark Warner had already attended a national, statewide, or regional event. Gray indicates states (4) where the group was committed to attend other functions in the near future
exif: {}