On June 13, 2017, Democrats living in Virginia’s 64th District of the House of Delegates, will vote in their primary. The election of Donald Trump and the GOP campaign to dismantle healthcare, environmental protections, human rights protections and other liberal policies has invigorated interest and support for Virginia Democrats. The 64th District in particular, is prime for a Democratic takeover, which is already on the brink of a Republican super majority. These last weeks before the primary, find candidates actively seeking donations to reach the finish line.
Current 64th Delegate, Richard L. Morris, R-Suffolk, announced in March he will not seek re-election to a fourth term. Del. Morris’ term has been plagued with scandalous allegations of child cruelty and assault and battery of a family member. Morris faces a felony hearing to answer the allegations. These extraordinarily distasteful charges highlight an increased opportunity to return the 64th blue which prior to Morris, was held for ten terms by William K. Barlow. Additionally, Morris served on the Courts of Justice committee whereby he was tasked with vetting a judge who would serve in the district hearing his case. This reeks of impropriety at the very core and coupled with anti-Trump sentiment, leaves residents of the district deserving better representation.
The Republican primary contenders Emily Brewer, Suffolk, and Rex Alphin, Isle of Wight, are campaigning vigorously to retain the red seat. Brewer, a small business owner never holding public office, champions her activism in pro-life and constitutional carry rights in Virginia. Alphin, a third generation farmer and current Chairman for Isle of Wight, pushes an agricultural agenda. Both have promised to impede any pro-choice legislation or gun rights restrictions.
Virginia’s Democratic Governor, Terry McAuliffe, has held steadfast against a Republican controlled General Assembly. However, on the cusp of a super majority, it is critically important to flip the 64th. Fortunately, Democrats have three good choices for primary contenders: Jerry A. Cantrell from Tidewater, Rebecca S. Colaw from Suffolk, and John Wandling from Isle of Wight.
Cantrell wants “to fight for livable, thriving, safe, and sustainable communities.” As a lifelong educator, he has twenty-five years of college and university teaching experience in Political Science and Public Administration. Currently, he works for Central Texas College’s Atlantic Division office in Norfolk. Since 1988, Cantrell has worked in a supporting role as an educator for our military working on Air Force bases throughout Europe and the Middle East, as well as over fifty naval ships. He hopes to bring tax relief incentives to new micro-businesses (employing no more than twenty-five people), via a five-year tax moratorium, offer tax reductions to medium-sized businesses (no more than one hundred people), if they agree to wage increases as company profits rise. Additionally, he plans to present legislation to increase Office of Farmland Preservation funding to assist struggling family farms. Cantrell has been married to his wife Anna, for seventeen years and has three sons. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he was born in West Virginia. He attributes his strong values and work ethic to his hard working, coal miner father, who was also a small acreage farmer. Furthermore, his mother who taught him to have charity for others.
Colaw never planned to be a politician, but became angry with the status of government today. This frustration evolved into a decision to make a real difference in her community and district. A Suffolk resident for twenty years, she has practiced law there for fifteen years. A retired counterterrorism Air Force officer, she served in the Persian Gulf. She describes herself as a Constitutionalist and believes “politicians should be an open book.” Colaw, a proud public school graduate, juggled military responsibilities while working at Burger King and attending night school to obtain her law degree. She feels workers, voters, and small businessmen need to be listened to by their Delegate. Additionally, she supports women’s rights, better education for our children, fair compensation for teachers, tax relief for small businesses with twenty or fewer employees, the right to purchase arms unless a person is mentally ill, and affordable health care. “I am passionate about the rights of everyone regardless of nationality, color, religion, creed, gender or sexual orientation,” she says. Her approach to serving as Delegate, is treating constituents as if they are clients in her law practice. “I’m not looking for a part-time job. I’m looking to represent,” states Colaw.
Wandling believes the region has a need for skilled workers and states, “the most effective war on poverty is jobs.” Retired from Hampton City’s IT department, he is also an Army veteran and Coast Guard Captain. Having fifty years of firsthand experience automating backoffice government agencies, he has knowledge of how government works best for its citizens, which benefits everyone. Unhappy with results of the last election, along with a partisan redistricting which led to gerrymandering, he felt the current representation in his district was inadequate. So, he decided to run for office. A key component necessary for the district’s success, is his desire for high-speed internet for businesses and citizens. Also critical to attracting future businesses, are good roads. Wandling is especially interested in workforce development by retraining workers in obsolete occupations. Since the district is home to some of the world’s largest ship building and pork suppliers, opportunities for skilled workers exist. He says the State has good workforce development centers, however his district needs more of these centers. Furthermore, he supports clean energy initiatives and believes retraining workers in carbon-based fuel employment is vital.
The 64th District covers the far-reaching seven jurisdictions of Franklin City, Isle of Wight County, Prince George County, Southampton County, Suffolk City, Surry County and Sussex County.
All candidates are actively fundraising for the final push to primary day and seeking donations. For more information, please go to:
Jerry A. Cantrell: www.cantrellforvirginia.com-
Rebecca S. Colaw: www.colawfor64.com
John Wandling: www.wandlingfordelegate.com
Not registered to vote? If you are a Virginia resident and need to apply, go to: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. Even though it is too late to register for the primary, you may register for the next general election.
Note: The writer is a resident of the 64th district and member of LWCC-Liberal Women of Chesterfield County (& beyond). LWCC is a progressive advocacy group working to support Democratic issues in the Richmond, Virginia region and beyond.