On Saturday, March 26, Steve Knotts was elected to a second term as chairman of the Fairfax GOP. His message to delegates and attendees of the 2022 Fairfax GOP Convention follows:

Welcome to the 2022 Fairfax GOP Convention!

Before we get started, how many of you were at the convention in 2020?  

Isn’t this place much nicer?  

It’s great to actually be warm this year. 

If you weren’t there, our 2020 venue was cancelled due to the COVID shutdown. We held the convention outside near the Government Center in windy, 20-degree weather. 

This is definitely much nicer!

There are so many people that I want to thank. That list is so long — so I will have to generalize today.

First, thank you all for being here. Your continued support means the world to me.

Thank you to our convention chairs and their teams. They made today possible.

And thank you to the Fairfax GOP leadership team who made us so successful over the last two years.

In recent years, we have really seen the curtain pulled back on our government. Nationally, statewide, and locally, we have seen leftist politicians openly promote racism in our schools; cover up sexual assault; put criminals ahead of victims; and refuse to prosecute crime. They continually smear our great nation as inherently evil, founded on “white supremacy.”  Too often, the so-called “news” is nothing more than left-wing propaganda.

The Left has endeavored to intimidated, censor, and cancel us. They demonize conservatives for believing in individual liberty, personal responsibility, and self-determination.

Personally, I have been called all kinds of vile names.

I have been threatened online and to my face. My public stance against the blatant anti-Semitism of a Fairfax County School Board member led to her “affiliates” using my name for fundraising — which I consider a compliment.

Even when not directed at us personally, the leftist machine can beat good folks down. Many of us are no longer comfortable discussing our beliefs in public for fear of ridicule, humiliation, or violence. The “woke” agenda has become so normalized now that many of us are concerned about losing our livelihoods should we voice our disagreement.

All of you, though, are the conservative faithful. You are here. You have given your time, your talent, and your treasure to a cause larger than yourself. You understand that by standing up, coming together, and pushing back, we will again drive conservative reforms that will empower our fellow citizens to flourish.  

Together, we will influence the laws that are made. We will elect Republicans nationally and statewide. And yes, we will win in Fairfax County!

This is a proven fact — when we come together, we can shine a light on the Left’s hypocrisy for all to see. When we field candidates here, behind “enemy lines” so to speak, we force the Left to fight here, in their so-called “safe territory.” We force them to spend their resources here and not in other races downstate. 

When we unite behind our nominees, as we did last year, we win. Glenn Youngkin proves that; Jason Miyares proves that; and the absolutely fabulous Winsome Sears proves that!

Soon, we will choose our 2022 Congressional nominees. Reflecting our party’s revitalization here in Northern Virginia, we have many candidates in each race: five here in the 11th District; somewhere in double digits for the 10th; and believe it or not, five candidates in the 8th!

Our task is straightforward, but not easy. Who is the best candidate to win this November? I ask that when you vote, think about November. Choose who represents our values; choose who fights for you; and most of all, choose a winner.

Also: 2023 is right around the corner. We are recruiting now for the 52 races we’ll have to contest. Look to your left; now to your right. Those are the two people that you must convince to run. Fundamentally, elections are not about the egos and ambitions of individual candidates. They are about values. They are about people. 

The two on either side of you know about values and they know about people. In all likelihood, they are well-suited to run. If you can’t convince them, there is one last option. Step up. Stand Up. Run. 

The Fairfax GOP will help. The people in this room will help.  Many that didn’t make it today will help. I will help. 

You are not alone. None of us are alone. 

In closing, THANK YOU for the faith you have once more placed in me. Thank you in advance for your continued support. Thank you for the honor of being your Chairman.

God bless you all, and God bless America — on to victory!

Steve Knotts is chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee, the Republican Party of Virginia’s largest political unit. Follow him on Twitter: @stevenmknotts.