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Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert F. McDonnell's most prized supporter was by his side Tuesday for an appearance before a women's group in Northern Virginia. Billionaire BET Networks co-founder Sheila Johnson attended a Women for McDonnell event in Tysons Corner, delivering a scripted speech to a crowd of about 100 and a handful of reporters. The longtime Democrat who campaigned for President Obama and Gov. Tim Kaine crossed the aisle earlier this year to support Mr. McDonnell. "Bob's message resonated with me from the moment I met with him," Ms. Johnson said. "For me, it isn't about party. It's about...

RICHMOND, Va. - The billionaire co-founder of the Black Entertainment Television mocked Democrat Creigh Deeds' occasional stuttering at a fundraiser she held for Deeds' Republican opponent in the governor's race, Bob McDonnell. In a YouTube video, Sheila Johnson says Virginia needs a governor "who can really communicate, and Bob McDonnell can communicate." Then she tells a small crowd of wealthy donors, "The other people I talk to, especially his op-op-op-o-opponent, di-di-did this all through my interview with him." After muted laughter among the guests, she adds, "He could not articulate what needed to be done."

The mocking of Creigh Deeds' occasional stuttering by the co-founder of the Black Entertainment Network is a "cheap shot and a new low" in the gubernatorial race, a spokesman for the Democratic candidate told FOXNews.com.

Johnson said she favors McDonnell over his Democratic opponent, R. Creigh Deeds, because she thinks the Republican can turn around the state's ailing economy. "From the beginning, Bob McDonnell has been very concerned about the economy," she said. "He has really laid out a roadmap for solving these problems."

RICHMOND, Va. — A billionaire co-founder of the Black Entertainment Television network who is also a key Democratic donor has endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for Virginia governor. Sheila Johnson joined McDonnell at a Monday appearance in Richmond. She says she thinks the Republican can turn around the state's sluggish economy and prefers him over his Democratic opponent, R. Creigh Deeds. Deeds' campaign did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Johnson and her former husband, Robert Johnson, sold BET in 2000 to Viacom for $3 billion. She backed Barack Obama for president, but has given some money to GOP candidates...

Sheila Crump Johnson Endorses Bob McDonnell for Governor Middleburg Resident is Co-Founder of Black Entertainment Television, a Local Business Owner and Noted Philanthropist and Entrepreneur RICHMOND- Sheila Crump Johnson, co- founder of Black Entertainment Television, local Middleburg business owner and noted philanthropist and entrepreneur, today endorsed Bob McDonnell in his campaign for governor. The announcement was made at a mid-afternoon press conference in downtown Richmond. Speaking about the endorsement, Johnson said, “Make no mistake, these are tough economic times for all Virginians. Unemployment is on the rise and families are struggling to stay in their homes. We need bold and...