ROANOKE – One of President Obama’s 2008 campaign co-chairmen will be headlining the Roanoke Republican Victory Dinner at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood this Saturday.

Former Congressman Artur Davis, who served served as a Democratic Congressman from Alabama from 2003-2011, will be speaking at the August 18 dinner about why he supports Mitt Romney’s candidacy and now considers himself a Republican. CNN is reporting Davis will also be campaigning for Romney in Northern Virginia.

“I look forward to delivering a simple message to Roanoke Valley Republicans: there are tens of thousands of disaffected Democrats in the Commonwealth, and millions nationally, who no longer recognize their party. A party that distrusts success, prefers entitlement to responsibility, and picks a different fight with people of faith every few months is not the Democratic Party we used to know,” said Davis.

Davis made news during the 2008 campaign as the first Congressman outside of the Illinois delegation to endorse Obama’s candidacy. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Davis made remarks formally seconding Obama’s official nomination.

Davis will be headlining a list of speakers at the dinner that also includes a life-long friend of Mitt Romney, Dr. Dane McBride, who served with Romney as missionaries in France. Likely 2013 statewide candidates Senator Mark Obenshain, Delegate Rob Bell, and former Senator Jeannemarie Davis will also be at the event.

“This year’s dinner is a rare event that will feature speakers who knew both candidates for President before they were candidates. We are looking forward to a great dinner,” said Roanoke County Republican Committee Chairman David Suetterlein.

Ticket information for the event is available at RoanokeRepublicans.com.

Submitted by the Roanoke County Republican Committee