CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - I write this article as a private citizen. I am convinced that the Nation we love is in a political decline which must be reversed. I remind our readers that Catholic Online is a for profit company. There are no restrictions on political speech except those we embrace because of our fidelity to the teaching office of the Church.

This article reflects my personal opinion and position. I believe that with the correct men and women in public office we can move this Nation on a path toward recovery. We can build a future of authentic freedom for my children and grandchildren. However, to do so, we need to find those men and women, urge them to run for public office, defend them against the onslaught which will follow, and then get them elected.

I recently opined in an article I wrote for Catholic Online concerning the question "Should Catholics Even Bother with Politics?" I answered my own question in that article with a strong " Yes" - rooted not in naiveté, but a steely conviction borne from years in the trenches at the intersection of faith and culture. I was pleased that many of you agreed.

I promised at the end of that article I was going "to do everything I can to encourage morally coherent people run for public office and help to get them elected." Well, I have begun those efforts. I have some news to report to my readers - and an invitation to my fellow Virginians.

I also recently reread a speech given by one of the great prophetic voices of the last part of the twentieth century, Alexander Solzhenitsyn. The speech was delivered to members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives on July 15, 1975. In it that great Russian Christian made this observation:

"Very soon only too soon, your country will stand in need of not just exceptional men but of great men. Find them in your souls. Find them in your hearts; find them in depths of your country." We are in the time that great man spoke of. We are in need of "great men" - and women.  I believe I have found one - and I intend to help the people of my home State and Nation find him and benefit from his gifts.

On Monday, January 14, 2013, my friend of over twenty years, with whom I have worked on some of the major human rights concerns of our age, filed his paperwork as a candidate for the Republican Nomination as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. His name is E.W. Jackson. This gubernatorial election in Virginia will be significant on many fronts. The National political pundits are already watching and pontificating concerning those implications.

The nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia will be chosen by delegates at the May 18th at the Republican Party State Convention. I have decided to be one of the delegates for my friend EW Jackson, and to do everything I can to help him become the nominee for the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth. Then, I will do everything I can to help E.W. Jackson and Ken Cucinelli, the sincere and morally coherent Catholic who is the nominee for Governor, be elected to lead Virginia.

At his filing E.W. Jackson made these comments: "This morning I filed the documents required by RPV to become an official candidate for the Republican Nomination for Lt. Governor. I also paid the required fee and the voluntary fee of $10,000.  While we all wish these kinds of financial barriers were not necessary, conventions cost money, and my campaign is proud to join with Ken Cuccinelli and the other candidates to do our part. I am grateful to the many contributors who have helped us reach the next phase of our campaign."

"As I travel across Virginia speaking with individuals, small businesses, churches and groups of every kind, I see the signs of new unity, a new Republican Party, based on common sense conservative principles that appeal to all Virginians and broad outreach to those who share our values but have been misinformed about who we are."

"Black, Hispanic and other minority citizens are finding out that we are not against them, but for them and they are receptive. We share a common commitment to our Constitution, to liberty and to equality of opportunity for all Virginians. If I become the nominee, the seeds I am sowing now will bring a harvest of inspiration and unity that will help carry Republicans to victory in November."

My readers know I believe this is no time to retreat from culture. Rather, we must work for its conversion by working with the men and women who can influence it. Culture includes politics. What is needed are men and women of courage who are morally coherent and do not separate their faith from their political participation.  EW Jackson is such a man. I know this because I know him. I know what he believes. I know how ...