FRANKLIN
As previously reported in The Tidewater News, the City of Franklin and Isle of Wight County now fall under Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District with the redrawn lines, while Southampton County will remain in the 4th District. That being said, a primary election will be held for the 4th District, as there are currently four candidates seeking election, and both districts will have a general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Virginia’s 4th Congressional District will have four names on the ballot in the primary election on Tuesday, June 14. Those seeking office are Donald McEachin (D), Dr. Ella Ward (D), Mike Wade (R) and Jackee Gonzalez (R). Not seeking election is incumbent Randy Forbes, who instead is a candidate in the 2nd District this time.

• McEachin, an attorney and politician, currently holds Virginia District 9 seat in the Senate, the position he has claimed since 2008. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 to 2002, and from 2006 until 2008.

In his 2011 campaign, McEachin focused on civil and voting rights, education and public safety. An alumnus of The American University where he received his B.S. in political history, he also earned his J.D. at the University of Virginia Law and a M. Div. from Virginia Union University.

• Ward ran as a Democratic candidate for the District 4 seat in 2012, but lost the general election. Her platform included reduced business taxes for companies’ first two years in operation, increased expenditures for infrastructure and supporting social security and medicare. Ward has previously and currently serves on several board and commissions. She served eight years on the Virginia Board of Education, five of those as vice-president. Presently, she is serving on the Board of Visitors of Christopher Newport University, appointed by Gov. Terry McAulliffe. She is also in her third term on Chesapeake City Council. Ward served as a teacher and administrator in Portsmouth Public Schools for 35 years before retiring in 2004. To learn more about Ward, visit her website: www.ellawardforcongress.com.

• Wade is the Henrico County Sheriff. A Republican candidate, he has made a career in law enforcement with 41 years of service. Wade served 22 years as a member of the Henrico Division of Police before being elected sheriff in 1999. Throughout his career he was an investigator focusing on crimes against property, he served in the Criminal Intelligence Section and later as the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Investigator Liaison. Wade also served as the Command Sergeant serving as the Supervisor of the School Resource and D.A.R.E. officers for Henrico County Public Schools before being elected sheriff. To learn more about Wade and his platform visit www.sheriffmikewade.com.

• Gonzalez, a Republican candidate, currently serves as Faith Liaison Coordinator and Community Events Director for the Eastern part of the 4th District of Virginia. In 2012, she volunteered and campaigned for Congressman Randy Forbes’ campaign. Her core values are faith in God and connection with people from all walks of life; individual freedom and responsibility; the promise of America; servant leadership; and courage and honor always beat fear, dishonor and shame. Born in Kenya, she graduated from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, with a degree in Environmental Planning and Management. To learn more about Gonzalez, visit http://www.jackee4congress.com.

Since there is only one Democratic candidate, incumbent Bobby Scott, and one Republican candidate, Marty Williams, seeking election for the District 3 seat, there will be no primary election held.

• Scott was first elected as the District 3 seat-holder in 1992 and has held that position ever since. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and J.D. from Boston College School of Law, Scott went into private practice and also served the Army Reserve from 1970 to 1974. He also served in the Virginia Senate from 1983 to 1993 and the Virginia House of Delegates from 1978 to 1983. Through his political career he has served on several board and commissions, currently serving on Education and the Workforce Committee and Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. In his 2012 campaign, Scott focused on the military and children. To learn more about Scott, visit www.bobbyscottforcongress.com.

• Williams, a Republican member of the Senate from 1996 to 1998, also served on the Newport News City Council for six years, twice as vice-mayor. Currently he serves as the Chairman of the Chesapeake Planning Commission. Williams has a Bachelor’s degree in Police Science and he served the Chesapeake Police Department for 25 years before an injury in the line of duty pushed him into retirement. To learn more about Williams, visit http://martywilliamscongress.com/.

The Tidewater News will give an update on the candidates after the primary election take place later this month.