BertForSenate.com<\/a><\/p>"}}},{"id":6573,"slug":"1-biggest-challenge-us","title":"1. Biggest challenge \/ U.S.","description":"What's the biggest challenge facing the United States and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Artificial intelligence is going to transform virtually every sector of our economy, and we are nowhere near prepared for what that means for American workers. I am AI-long: I believe this technology can create enormous opportunities, but we can't pretend there won't be real disruption along the way. We need to start preparing now, and AI companies and big corporations that stand to massively profit must do their part. My comprehensive AI legislation would establish much-needed guardrails, including federal standards for data centers to prevent developers from passing their costs onto communities. It would also promote competition and safety, protect our national security, and generate new revenue from AI companies and data center developers to invest in workers impacted by AI-related disruption. AI companies will make enormous profits from this transformation. We need to make sure American workers share in the upside rather than simply bearing the costs.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Our biggest challenge is our national security. Under Biden, our adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran were allowed to walk all over us. Dealing with these regimes takes true resolve and experience. As a retired Major General of the United States Army, former Commander of the Combined Joint Interagency Task force in Afghanistan, and Trump's trusted advisor on national security, I am ready to face that challenge.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6574,"slug":"2-biggest-challenge","title":"2. Biggest challenge","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing Virginia and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
The cost of everything has gotten out of control. From groceries, to housing, to the utility bill, costs are climbing and Virginians are feeling the squeeze in their pockets. Trump's reckless tariffs are a tax hike on American consumers, a tax on nearly everything. I introduced legislation to require full refunds of Trump's illegal tariffs to put money back in the pockets of Virginians. The housing crisis is also contributing to the affordability crisis. We're millions of homes short in this country. I am proud to have co-authored the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, a landmark package of legislation. It has key provisions to cut red tape, make affordable housing easier to build, and stops private equity from buying up homes. I'm also fighting to make sure developers, not residents, pay for costs associated with data centers.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing the Commonwealth is our current leadership. Spanberger and her allies have shown that they are closer to Mamdani and AOC than everyday Virginians - attempting to rig our congressional elections, pushing for billions of dollars in tax increases, infringing on our Second Amendment rights, and joining Green New Deal initiatives like the RGGI that are hurting Virginians no matter their political affiliation. Unlike Warner, I will push back against the policies in the Senate instead of enabling them.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6575,"slug":"3-hr-1-aka-the-one-big-beautiful-bill","title":"3. HR 1, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill","description":"
How would you assess the impact of that legislation?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
HR 1 slashed health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Americans rely on in order to pay for massive tax breaks to the very rich. It has already forced over 100,000 Virginians off their health care plans by jacking up the cost of premiums, and its massive Medicaid cuts put roughly 300,000 Virginians at risk of losing their health insurance and threaten rural hospitals that are already struggling to keep their doors open.<\/p>
The bill also caused the largest SNAP cut in the program's history, putting over 200,000 Virginians at risk of losing the program that helps put food on the table. I voted against it and fought to strip out some of its most damaging provisions. Congress should be lowering costs for working families, not asking them to sacrifice so people at the very top can get another tax break.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
The Working Families Tax Cuts (OBBB) has lowered taxes on Virginians virtually across the board and it allows families to keep more of their hard-earned money including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on social security. Not only that, but it has also directed much-needed funding to modernize our military and secure our borders.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6576,"slug":"4-health-care","title":"4. Health care","description":"
What are your views on how Americans can better afford health care? Would you support the so-called \"Medicare for All\"? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":3,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
We need universal health care. Americans shouldn't lose health coverage because they lose a job, and no Virginian should have to choose between groceries, rent, and medicine. As long as we keep arguing over who gets covered, we'll never actually get to have a real conversation about bringing down costs. <\/p>
I helped write the Affordable Care Act, which massively expanded health care access and ensured that no insurance company could discriminate against you for your medical history. I helped cap insulin at $35 a month and cap what seniors pay out of pocket for prescriptions at $2,000 a year. And when the middlemen were hiding how they set drug prices, I helped force them to open their books.<\/p>
I'm less interested in arguing over labels than I am in getting to universal coverage and bringing costs down. We ought to build on what works, fix what doesn't and make sure every American can get quality, affordable health care.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Socialized health care, \"Medicare for All,\" would cost the American taxpayers trillions of dollars and will never be a viable solution to health care in the United States. It would decrease the quality of care that people receive and lead to longer wait times at the doctor's office. There are real solutions to this issue like fostering free market competition so pharmaceutical companies and hospitals don't price gouge working families.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6577,"slug":"5-rural-hospitals","title":"5. Rural hospitals","description":"
Up to 10 rural hospitals in Virginia have been listed as endangered. What would you propose to make sure they stay open?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":4,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Rural hospitals were already operating on incredibly thin margins, and the massive Medicaid cuts from HR 1 made the situation much worse. While the wealthy got trillions in tax breaks, rural Virginians are at greater risk of losing access to care. I fought against those cuts and offered amendments to protect Medicaid and rural health care, but Republicans blocked them.<\/p>
I'm also working to strengthen rural hospitals by addressing some of the services most at risk of disappearing. My Keeping Obstetrics Local Act would increase Medicaid payment rates for labor and delivery services to help rural hospitals keep maternity wards open and ensure families don't have to travel hours to have a baby.\tI also authored the Save Struggling Hospitals Act to ensure that rural hospitals are fairly reimbursed for their services by the federal government.<\/p>
I'll keep fighting to protect Medicaid, strengthen rural hospitals and make sure your ZIP code doesn't determine whether you can get quality health care.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Rural hospitals are key to communities across Virginia. However, this is an issue of failed state leadership to provide adequate resources and support for rural hospitals. These issues need to be addressed to ensure that we are not shortchanging our rural communities for vanity projects in Portsmouth or Alexandria.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6578,"slug":"6-immigration","title":"6. Immigration","description":"
What are your views on immigration? Does the U.S. need more immigrants or fewer? What should be the criteria for entry and deportation? Under what circumstances should undocumented immigrants already here be given a pathway to citizenship?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":5,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
We're the one country where you can come here, play by the rules, embrace our democracy, and become an American. That's what makes our country so strong. But our immigration system has been broken for years. I fought for a bipartisan border deal that would have bolstered our national security, provided better technology to stop fentanyl and implemented major reforms to our asylum system. Donald Trump killed it at the 11th hour.<\/p>
A screwed-up border is not a license for the level of cruelty and chaos that has been unleashed on the streets, with masked, undertrained agents engaging in illegal acts of violence, grabbing people heading to work and folks who showed up to their own court hearing, shooting Americans dead in the street - none of this is making us safer. <\/p>
We need secure borders, a fair and consistent immigration process for people who have lived and contributed here for years, and law enforcement that follows the law. Those things are not mutually exclusive.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
America is a country of immigrants, but we are also a country of law and order. We must keep our borders secure while making legal immigration for those seeking the American Dream available. Those who broke the law and came here illegally should not be given a free path to citizenship over those choosing to do it legally.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6579,"slug":"7-israel-gaza","title":"7. Israel \/ Gaza","description":"
Would you support an arms embargo on Israel? Why or why not? What else should we know about your views on Israel and Gaza?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":6,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
We can stand firmly with Israel's security while also speaking out against actions that jeopardize peace and stability in the region. While I'm a friend to the Israeli people, I do not support all of the actions of Netanyahu's government. Earlier this year, I voted to cut off American aid that could have enabled more illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The conflict that followed the October 7th attacks in Gaza resulted in significant and devastating human cost. Extremist settlers continue to commit violence and displace Palestinian families in the West Bank, while the Israeli government enables illegal settlement expansion. Israel is escalating military actions in southern Lebanon and other areas of the region that are not in Israel or America's long-term interest. Israelis should be able to live in security with a two-state solution that honors the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians, and there must be an end to the ongoing geopolitical conflict in the region.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
No, I would not support an arms embargo against Israel. Israel is one of America's greatest allies, and we cannot allow them to become a sitting duck for their enemies who have vowed to destroy them.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6580,"slug":"8-ukraine-russia","title":"8. Ukraine \/ Russia","description":"
What, if any, aid should the United States be supplying to Ukraine? Why or why not? What are the consequences if Russia succeeds in militarily claiming part of Ukraine?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":7,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Supporting Ukraine isn't charity - it is squarely in America's national security interest. Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty against Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion, and the United States should make sure Ukrainians have the tools they need to defend themselves. Their fight is not just about Ukraine's sovereignty. It is about defending the democratic values and principles that protect our own. Ukrainians are literally fighting and dying for these values and in doing so, they are dealing a devastating blow to one of America's top adversaries without sending a single American service member into combat. <\/p>
Russia, China and every other American adversary are watching what we do in Ukraine. If Putin can invade a neighbor, seize territory by force and simply wait out the West, the lesson will be heard far beyond Ukraine.Walking away from Ukraine would make America less safe. <\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Obama allowed Crimea to be seized and Biden's failed foreign policy empowered Russia to try and finish the job. Thanks to President Trump, we are no longer in a losing position around the world. Europe is finally picking up their part of the tab that U.S. taxpayers were paying, and any further U.S. assistance must have U.S. interests in mind.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6581,"slug":"9-artificial-intelligence-data-centers","title":"9. Artificial intelligence \/ data centers","description":"
What, if anything, should the federal government do to either encourage or discourage development of artificial intelligence? Please address data centers as part of this.<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":8,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
Artificial intelligence will reshape nearly every aspect of our economy and society. The only question is whether Congress is going to do something about it or try to play catch up. <\/p>
My comprehensive AI legislative framework addresses four key priorities: building AI infrastructure responsibly; promoting competition and safety; preparing workers for economic disruption and technological change; and strengthening America's national security advantage.<\/p>
Data centers use enormous amounts of power and water. Virginians deserve to know the impact a new data center will have on their community, and companies shouldn't be able to hide those details behind secret deals. I've introduced legislation to require greater transparency about energy and water use and other impacts, make data centers pay for the grid upgrades they require instead of passing those costs on to residents, and condition valuable tax benefits on meeting strong efficiency standards.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Democrats have fought against local control across Virginia, and we need to let local communities decide what is best for themselves. Let me be clear: You should decide what gets built in your community, not politicians in Richmond or Washington DC. Data centers have exposed the failure of the Democrats' Green New Deal energy policies that restrict energy production and communities should be empowered to restrict data centers and control their own land use policies.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6582,"slug":"10-energy-offshore-wind","title":"10. Energy \/ Offshore wind","description":"
President Trump has tried to block development of offshore wind energy. Dominion Energy is building an offshore wind facility off the coast of Virginia Beach and has long-range plans for more. What should the federal government'sposture on offshore wind be? And energy development in general?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":9,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is a product of years of work and is the largest commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States. It is providing clean, reliable energy to Virginians. I am proud of what I've done with Dominion Energy and other partners in the region to secure federal funding for the project, improve local maritime infrastructure, and create good-paying jobs. The project will provide Virginians with greater price stability, fuel savings, and protection against future energy shocks, such as those being created by the Trump administration's war in Iran. I look forward to working on growing Virginia's clean energy economy.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
Offshore Wind is one of the most expensive and least productive forms of energy. America should rely on proven energy sources that produce the levels of power required by Americans now and in the future, and wind off the coast will never be either cost efficient or sufficient to power our economy. The wind turbines off Virginia Beach are not just an eyesore, they cost more to create than they will ever generate and we all got stuck with the bill.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6583,"slug":"11-tariffs","title":"11. Tariffs","description":"
How would you assess the impact of the tariffs that President Trump has imposed?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":10,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
The across-the-board tariffs are reckless. <\/p>
I support targeted trade enforcement when countries like China cheat, steal intellectual property, or manipulate markets. But indiscriminately taxing imported goods and then pretending another country is picking up the tab is simply not how tariffs work. A tariff is a tax, and American businesses and consumers are the ones who are paying it in the form of higher prices.<\/p>
When courts ruled many of these tariffs illegal. I introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026 to require the government to return the money it collected with interest.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
President Trump correctly sees tariffs as an instrument to level the playing field with other nations whose import policies unfairly treat U.S. goods and services. Many countries had trade practices that were supremely one-sided to their own benefit and costly to America. It was time that we stood up to those who were taking advantage of us.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6584,"slug":"12-trump-administration","title":"12. Trump administration","description":"
How would you assess the performance of President Trump? What actions would you take to support or oppose his agenda? For Democrats: Would you support impeachment? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":11,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
President Trump has spent far too much of his presidency testing the limits of his office instead of lowering costs and solving problems for Americans. I've opposed him when he has undermined the rule of law, weakened our national security, or pursued policies that hurt Virginia families. But I've never believed my job is to reflexively oppose everything an administration from the other party does. When an administration has a good idea for Virginia or the country, I'll work with it. When it's wrong, I'll fight it.<\/p>
Regarding impeachment: if we didn't have the votes to convict Trump after the violent insurrection on January 6, we aren't going to have those votes in January 2027, either. My strong preference for my party would be to focus on delivering for voters and actually lowering costs, rather than pursuing another impeachment that is unlikely to get the results the folks pushing it want. <\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
President Trump deserves far more credit than he often receives for rebuilding the Republican coalition and making our party a national winner again. I worked with him during the 2015-2016 campaign and authored candidate Donald Trump's foreign policy doctrine. In the U.S. Senate, I will work with President Trump help him challenge the decades of failed domestic and foreign policy, take on wasteful government spending, and bring a business-minded approach to protecting taxpayer dollars.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6585,"slug":"13-abortion-contraception","title":"13. Abortion \/ contraception","description":"
What changes, if any, to federal law would you like to see?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":12,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
In the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we've seen the consequences unfold in real time: women denied lifesaving care, doctors forced to navigate confusing and dangerous legal gray areas, and families left to deal with the fallout. Decisions about pregnancy should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians. That's why I introduced the Women's Health Protection Act, legislation to guarantee access to abortion care across the country. It would once and for all restore the constitutional right to abortion, permanently making it safe and legal nationwide.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
I support the Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that the Constitution does not have a federal role in abortion.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6586,"slug":"14-guns","title":"14. Guns","description":"
What legislation, if any, would you support regarding firearms?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":13,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
I believe law-abiding Americans have a right to own firearms. I also believe our kids should be able to go to school, families should be able to go to the grocery store, and people should be able to worship without fearing they'll be the next victims of a mass shooting.<\/p>
Those beliefs are not incompatible. We need commonsense measures that respect responsible gun ownership while keeping dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. That means requiring comprehensive background checks for gun purchases and banning assault weapons that can inflict enormous casualties in a matter of seconds. These steps won't prevent every act of gun violence, but they will save lives. Congress has waited far too long to act.<\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
I believe that our Second Amendment rights \"shall not be infringed\" just as our founders intended. We're already seeing gun bans in Virginia by Abigail Spanberger and her allies, and I will ensure the federal government never restricts our constitutional freedoms.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6587,"slug":"15-other-issues","title":"15. Other issues","description":"
What else should voters know about you?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":14,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"14272":{"content":"
I've always believed government works best when people are willing to roll up their sleeves, work across the aisle and actually solve problems.<\/p>
Before politics, I was an entrepreneur. My first business failed in six weeks. My second failed in six months. Eventually I helped build a successful company in an industry - cellular phones - that was transforming the economy. That experience taught me not to be afraid of change, but also not to underestimate how disruptive technological change can be.<\/p>
I've carried that approach into public service: be willing to try something new, work with people you don't always agree with, and never forget that the goal is to give every American the same fair shot I had at success. <\/p>"},"14273":{"content":"
I want to lead on common sense solutions to help families stay safe and prosper.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"candidate_card","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["candidate_card"],"title":"Short summary","help_hint":"Brief fields (like demographics) for a summary card. Keep it short: this takes space in all candidate listings"}}]},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"],"title":"Sidebar","help_hint":"Shorter topics for the side rail"}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"],"title":"Primary","help_hint":"Main area, great for more in-depth and longer policy topics"}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]},{"id":2573,"slug":"congress-2026","title":"U.S. House 2026","blocks":[{"type":"raceitems","race_type":"election","race_id":1982,"race_description":"","groups":[{"custom_id":"ocd-division\/country:us\/state:va\/cd:9","slug":"9th-district","name":"9th District","content":null,"show_heading":true,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":7877,"slug":"joy-powers","name":"Joy Powers","party":"Democratic","photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-d08ced97-50cd-4b41-b596-cc735d69cb48.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-d08ced97-50cd-4b41-b596-cc735d69cb48.jpeg","order":0},{"id":12529,"slug":"morgan-griffith","name":"Morgan Griffith","party":"Republican","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1}]}],"total_groups_count":1,"topics":[{"id":4367,"slug":"biographical-information","title":"Biographical information","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"individual_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
Joy Powers is a cattle farmer, mother, and rural advocate who works her family's farm and farm equipment dealership in Bedford County, in Virginia's Ninth District. She grew up in agriculture and has spent her life in the rural communities she now hopes to represent.<\/p>
Powers adopted her son from foster care, and the two are proud public school advocates as he heads into first grade. She studied at Virginia Tech and spent her twenties in international agricultural advocacy and education, partnering with rural communities around the world to strengthen their farming systems. <\/p>
Her agricultural roots run deep. A product of FFA, she served as a State FFA Officer and a Virginia 4-H All-Star. She has chaired the Bedford County Fair and was appointed to the Bedford County Agricultural and Economic Advisory Board.<\/p>
A different kind of Democrat, Powers is rooted in rural life and focused on practical solutions over partisan performance. She's running to fight for the Ninth District she calls home.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4368,"slug":"website","title":"Website","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"individual_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
JoyforVA.Com<\/p>"}}},{"id":4369,"slug":"biggest-challenge-us","title":"1. Biggest challenge \/ U.S.","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing the United States and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing this country is that a small class of billionaires and giant corporations has gathered enough wealth and power to bend the government to their interests, while everyone else is told to work harder and expect less.<\/p>
Income inequality is at its highest in a century. The people at the top have never done better, and working families have never felt more squeezed. That's not the free market working. It's what happens when corporations have a seat at every table in Washington and the people paying the price don't.<\/p>
You feel it here. Drug companies set the price of insulin. A few firms decide what you pay for groceries. Wall Street treats a rural hospital as a line item to close.<\/p>
I'd put power back where it belongs: stand up to corporate consolidation, close the loopholes that let the wealthiest pay less than the people who work for them, and get corporate money out of our politics.<\/p>
I'm not against anyone doing well. I'm against a rigged game.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4370,"slug":"biggest-challenge-virginia","title":"2. Biggest challenge \/ Your district","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The biggest challenge facing the Ninth is that opportunity has been draining out of the region for years, and everything else follows from it. When the jobs go, the young people go. When the people go, the hospital closes and the school consolidates. Folks here have watched that cycle for a long time while being told it's just the way things are. I don't accept that. <\/p>
This district has the land, the workforce, and the grit to build something. What it's lacked is a representative who fights to make sure federal investment actually reaches rural communities. So I'd focus on breaking the cycle: protect the rural hospitals still standing and bring care closer to home, invest in the jobs, trades, broadband, and childcare that let families stay, and stand up for the farmers and working people who keep this region going. People here don't want a handout. They want a fair shot and a representative who knows this place well enough to fight for it.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4450,"slug":"hr-1-aka-the-one-big-beautiful-bill","title":"3. HR 1, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill","description":"
How would you assess the impact of that legislation?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The BBB was sold as a gift to working people, but for a place like the Ninth, we can see straight through that. The biggest piece for us is healthcare. The law cuts about a trillion dollars from Medicaid over the next decade, and the people who feel that first are folks in rural areas, older people, kids, and families already driving too far for care. Congress put in a rural hospital fund to soften the blow, but the people who run these hospitals will tell you it's not enough, and most of it can't even be spent keeping the doors open on the services we already have. We were already losing hospitals out here. This makes that worse. On top of that, it tightens food assistance for working families, elderly and children who are barely getting by, while the tax breaks benefit toward people at the top. I don't think a bill is beautiful because it has a nice name. I think you judge it by whether life gets easier or harder for the people who live here. By that measure, this was one was ugly.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4385,"slug":"health-care","title":"4. Health care","description":"
What are your views on how Americans can better afford health care? Would you support the so-called \"Medicare for All\"? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":3,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
Let's be honest about where we are. In 2026, the United States is the only wealthy nation on earth that still lets people go bankrupt or go without care because they can't afford it. Every other developed country figured out a long time ago that healthcare is something a serious nation guarantees its people. We're behind, and folks here are paying the price for it. So yes, I believe we need universal healthcare, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise to sound moderate. A country as rich as ours can make sure every person can see a doctor without losing the farm. Medicare-for-all is one honest path to that, and plenty of people here are already on Medicare and will tell you it works. <\/p>
What I care about is that we actually get there and that we're straight with people along the way. That means protecting the Medicaid that keeps our rural hospitals open right now, bringing down what families pay for prescriptions and procedures, and never threatening the coverage someone is already counting on. I'll judge every plan by one question: does it get every person covered and care closer to home. Guaranteeing healthcare isn't radical. It's the baseline for a developed country, and it's long past time we acted like one.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4395,"slug":"rural-hospitals","title":"5. Rural hospitals","description":"
Up to 10 rural hospitals in Virginia have been listed as endangered. What would you propose to make sure they stay open?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":4,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The Medicaid cuts in last year's budget law are what tipped these hospitals toward the edge, partly by restricting the provider taxes and directed payments states use to fund them. I'd work to restore that funding so the money these hospitals run on stops shrinking. Second, fix the rural health fund Congress passed. Right now most of that money can't even be spent keeping existing services open. I'd change the rules so it pays to keep the doors open and the lights on. Third, protect the 340B drug pricing program, which lets rural hospitals buy medications at a discount. There's bipartisan support for strengthening it for rural providers, and I'd be part of that. Fourth, fix the Rural Emergency Hospital option. It was meant to be a lifeline, but as written it forces hospitals to give up inpatient beds and lose 340B access to take it. Fifth, I'd expand staffing through incentivizing expanded residencies and physician placements in rural areas to ensure rural patients have access. <\/p>"}}},{"id":4451,"slug":"immigration","title":"6. Immigration","description":"
What are your views on immigration? Does the U.S. need more immigrants or fewer? What should be the criteria for entry and deportation? Under what circumstances should undocumented immigrants already here be given a pathway to citizenship?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":5,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
Our immigration system is broken, and both parties have spent decades pointing fingers instead of fixing it. I want it fixed, and I want us to stay human while we do it. Yes, we need a secure border and an orderly, legal system. A country has the right to know who is coming in, and I won't apologize for that. But what's happening right now isn't that. Families are being pulled apart. Children are coming home to a parent gone. People who've lived here for years and built lives among us are living in fear. That's not security. That's criminal and it's cruelty. <\/p>
Enforcement should focus on people who commit serious crimes, not neighbors, parents, and longtime workers who threaten no one. We can be a nation of laws without terrorizing our own. And for those already here who've put down roots, worked hard, and stayed out of trouble, I support an earned path to citizenship, with a background check and getting right with the law. The kids brought here who know no other home deserve that chance too.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4393,"slug":"israel-gaza","title":"7. Israel \/ Gaza","description":"
Would you support an arms embargo on Israel? Why or why not? What else should we know about your views on Israel and Gaza?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":6,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
I'll say this plainly, because people are tired of politicians who won't. Benjamin Netanyahu is under an international arrest warrant for war crimes, including using starvation as a weapon against civilians. His military has used white phosphorus over civilian areas in Lebanon, a weapon that burns people alive. I'm not going to dress that up in diplomatic language. It is wrong, and our country should not be paying for it. <\/p>
So yes, I would cut off the American weapons and taxpayer dollars that make us complicit. We send Israel's government billions every year with no real conditions and no accountability. I don't believe families in this district, the ones struggling to afford groceries and keep their hospitals open, should be footing the bill for a government credibly accused of these crimes. <\/p>
And I'll be honest about something else. Our foreign policy should be made in Washington, in the interest of the American people, not dictated by a foreign government or the lobbyists who carry its water. I won't take my orders from AIPAC or anyone like them. I answer to the people of the Ninth District, period. I want the hostages home. I want safety and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike. But a real friend tells the truth, and right now the truth is that we should stop funding and arming what a genocide.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4438,"slug":"ukraine-russia","title":"8. Ukraine \/ Russia","description":"
What, if any, aid should the United States be supplying to Ukraine? Why or why not? What are the consequences if Russia succeeds in militarily claiming part of Ukraine?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":7,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
Yes, we should keep helping Ukraine defend itself, and I'll tell you why in plain terms.<\/p>
Russia invaded a smaller neighbor and is trying to take its land by force. If Putin gets away with that, he doesn't stop. He moves on to the next country, and some of those are NATO allies we're treaty-bound to defend, which could put American troops in a war that's far bigger and far costlier than what we're paying to avoid now. Helping Ukraine hold the line is a whole lot cheaper, in dollars and in lives, than the alternative.<\/p>
It's worth being clear about what this aid actually is. Most of it is weapons, a lot of it made right here in America, and replacing older stockpiles which also supports jobs at home. We are not handing over a sack of cash. But still I'd insist on real accountability for every dollar invessted, and I'd push our wealthy European allies to carry more of the load, because it's their continent and their security on the line too.<\/p>
Now, what happens if Russia wins. It tells every dictator watching that borders can be redrawn with tanks, which makes the world more dangerous, including for Taiwan. And it hits home in ways people feel. When that part of the world is at war, grain and energy markets get thrown into chaos, and families here end up paying more at the pump and the grocery store. A stable world is cheaper for working people than a chaotic one.<\/p>
I'm not for endless blank checks. I am for keeping our word, spending smart, and not handing Vladimir Putin a victory that costs us more down the road.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4387,"slug":"artificial-intelligence","title":"9. Artificial intelligence \/ data centers","description":"
What, if anything, should the federal government do to either encourage or discourage development of artificial intelligence? Please address data centers as part of this. <\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":8,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The way data centers are being forced onto Virginia is a raw deal, and I'd fight it. We're the data center capital of the world, and we're learning what it costs: huge demands on water and power, a grid working families are asked to pay to expand, and Big Tech taking the profit while a retiree gets the bill.<\/p>
So, plainly: these companies pay their own way, in full, for every power line, plant, and drop of water. Not most of it. All of it. We need mandatory environmental standards written into law, not voluntary pledges they break when no one's looking. And this technology was built on taxpayer-funded research and our own data and labor. Now they want tax breaks to replace jobs people pay taxes on, the jobs that fund our schools and ambulances. If they use public resources to wipe out taxable work, they owe it back. No community should have this forced on it from above. I'm not anti-technology. But Washington should must protect the citizen and the land rather than the corporations.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4388,"slug":"offshore-wind","title":"10. Energy \/ Offshore wind","description":"
President Trump has tried to block development of offshore wind energy. Dominion Energy is building an offshore wind facility off the coast of Virginia Beach and has long-range plans for more. What should the federal government'sposture on offshore wind be? And energy development in general?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":9,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The wind project off Virginia Beach shows what's wrong with how Washington handles energy. It's most of the way built, Virginia families have already paid billions toward it through their bills, and it's now putting power on the grid. Then the federal government tried to halt it on national security claims so thin a judge tossed them and let work restart. Stopping a nearly finished project we've paid for doesn't lower anyone's bill. It raises them and risks thousands of Hampton Roads jobs. So Washington should stop sabotaging energy projects already approved and under construction, and give builders a stable, predictable process instead of yanking leases for politics. On energy, I'm all-of-the-above and practical, not ideological. We need every reliable, affordable source we can build safely, and I'll stand with our energy workers, including in coal country. My test: does it keep the lights on, keep bills down, create good jobs here, and while still protecting our land, air, and water?<\/p>"}}},{"id":4380,"slug":"tariffs","title":"11. Tariffs","description":"
How would you assess the impact of the tariffs that President Trump has imposed? <\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":10,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
Trump's tariffs are a tax on working families, plain and simple. He said other countries would pay it. They didn't. We did. The average household paid about a thousand dollars more last year, on groceries, tools, car parts, the everyday things people here already struggle to afford. Our farmers got hit hardest. When you tariff the whole world, the world hits back, and it hits back at agriculture. Our growers lost markets and watched their costs climb while being told to be patient.<\/p>
And the constant chaos made it worse. Rates went up one week, changed the next, and got struck down in part by the Supreme Court. No farmer or small business owner can plan, invest, or hire in that kind of mess. I'm not against ever using a tariff. A targeted one that protects American workers from real cheating has its place. But slapping tariffs on nearly everything isn't toughness. It's a tax on the people who can least afford it, and I'd fight it.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4397,"slug":"impeachment","title":"12. Trump administration","description":"
How would you assess the performance of President Trump? What actions would you take to support or oppose his agenda? For Democrats: Would you support impeachment? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":11,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
This Presidency has made life harder here in VA CD9. The tariffs hit families and farmers like a tax, and his budget law cut the Medicaid our rural hospitals depend on. I'll oppose what hurts this district and work with anyone on what helps. <\/p>
But this goes deeper than policy, because no one is above the law, including the president. There are credible concerns is using his office to enrich himself and his family, and that demands a real investigation. In addition, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes deserve the full truth and justice, no matter how powerful the people involved. I support the complete release of the Epstein files, no more cover-ups, and an investigation that follows the evidence wherever it leads. If it shows anyone broke the law, including Trump or his family, they must be held accountable like anyone else. Impeachment is a constitutional duty, not a weapon. If the evidence is there, Congress must act, and I wouldn't hesitate.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4437,"slug":"abortion-contraception","title":"13. Abortion \/ contraception","description":"
What changes, if any, to federal law would you like to see?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":12,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
The decision to end or continue a pregnancy belongs to a woman, her family, her faith, and her doctor, not to politicians, and I'd write that back into federal law. I'd vote to restore the protections we had under Roe, so a woman's rights don't depend on what state she lives in. I respect that people here hold deep and differing beliefs, and I'm not asking anyone to abandon theirs. I'm saying the government shouldn't make this call for your family.<\/p>
I'd also protect contraception. Birth control shouldn't be controversial, and I'd vote against any effort to restrict it. And this is personal for rural places like ours. Many women here live hours from a clinic, and medication and telehealth are how they get care, including for miscarriages. There's a push in Washington and the courts to strip that away. I'd fight it. When you already drive too far for a doctor, taking away safe options doesn't protect women, it endangers them.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4391,"slug":"guns","title":"14. Guns","description":"
What legislation, if any, would you support regarding firearms?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":13,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
Let me be clear up front. I support the Second Amendment, and I'm not interested in taking guns from law-abiding people. Out here, guns are part of life. We hunt, we sport shoot, and a lot of folks live far from the nearest deputy. I respect that, because it's my life too. So I'm not for confiscation, and I won't treat responsible owners like the problem. What I do support is universal background checks, and I won't apologize for it. The same quick check a licensed dealer already runs should apply to every sale. That's not a registry, and it's no burden on honest people. It just keeps guns from those the law already bars, like felons and domestic abusers. Most gun owners I know agree. I'd also go hard after illegal trafficking and straw purchases, because the problem isn't the lawful owner. And I'll always back our law enforcement with the resources, training, and mental health support they need. Backing the badge and backing background checks go together.<\/p>"}}},{"id":4381,"slug":"other-issues","title":"15. Other issues","description":"
What else should voters know about you?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":14,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"7877":{"content":"
A few things I'd want Ninth District voters to know. I'm a different kind of Democrat. I support the Second Amendment, I think Washington wastes too much of your money, and I don't take orders from any party or any lobby. What I care about is whether life here gets easier or harder. And right now it's harder. After more than a decade of the same representation, people in the Ninth are still driving farther for healthcare, paying more for groceries, and watching their kids leave to find opportunity. That's not an accident. It's what happens when a place gets taken for granted.<\/p>
My answer as to why I'm running for Congress is simple: I'm running because I'm rooted in rural Southwest Virginia and I know these communities, these roads, and these struggles as my own. This region deserves someone who will show up, tell the truth, and actually fight for it. That's the whole reason I'm doing this.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"]}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"]}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]},{"id":2579,"slug":"bristol-city-council-3-seats-available","title":"Bristol City Council 2026 (3 seats available)","blocks":[{"type":"raceitems","race_type":"election","race_id":2202,"race_description":"","groups":[{"custom_id":null,"slug":"bristol-city-council-3-seats-available","name":"Bristol City Council (3 seats available)","content":null,"show_heading":false,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":12786,"slug":"melissa-k-brown","name":"Melissa K. Brown","party":"Democratic","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":0},{"id":12787,"slug":"jackie-l-nophlin","name":"Jackie L. Nophlin","party":"Democratic","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1},{"id":12788,"slug":"elijah-d-walker","name":"Elijah D. Walker","party":"Democratic","photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":2},{"id":12789,"slug":"jake-preston-holmes","name":"Jake Preston Holmes","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-5ecf1573-ffa9-4fae-a06d-7d6e6f09c32b.jpg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-5ecf1573-ffa9-4fae-a06d-7d6e6f09c32b.jpg","order":3},{"id":12790,"slug":"f-neal-osborne","name":"F. Neal Osborne","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-62cdfe5a-b1c0-4f3d-bfd2-2ff84c8d181a.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-62cdfe5a-b1c0-4f3d-bfd2-2ff84c8d181a.jpeg","order":4},{"id":12791,"slug":"michael-w-pollard","name":"Michael W. Pollard","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-911f022c-7a3d-4ea0-a27b-5b78989ce029.jpg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-911f022c-7a3d-4ea0-a27b-5b78989ce029.jpg","order":5}]}],"total_groups_count":1,"topics":[{"id":6118,"slug":"biographical-information","title":"Biographical information","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"candidate_card","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
Jake Holmes was elected to the Bristol, Virginia City Council in 2022 and was named Mayor on January 6, 2026. He serves as External Affairs Manager for Appalachian Power covering their Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee service territory. He is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.<\/p>
Prior to Appalachian Power, he worked for over a decade as Legislative Director to Virginia State Delegate Israel O'Quinn. He is a native of Southwest Virginia and has a strong passion for the region and its people. He serves on the Board of Communities in Schools of the Appalachian Highlands, and in 2024 he was appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the State Executive Council for Children's Services. He is a recipient of the 2020 Business Journal of the Tri-Cities 40 under 40 Award and, more importantly, the 2024-2025 Virginia High School Bearcat Pride Award. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and going to concerts with his wife, Hannah. <\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
First elected to the Bristol City Council in 2018 and reelected in 2022, Neal Osborne is seeking a third term. He currently serves as vice mayor (2026-) after having previously served as vice mayor before, and serving two terms as mayor (2019-2020, 2023-2024). He was previously the youngest mayor in the city's history. <\/p>
Neal serves as a development coordinator for United Way of Southwest Virginia, working to provide for the education, health, and financial stability of all residents of Southwest Virginia. He has a background in education and sales. Among the boards he serves on, Neal is the chairman of the District Three Governmental Cooperative, and serves as a member of the Virginia Highlands Community College Board. <\/p>
Neal attended John S. Battle High School and Virginia Highlands Community College. He has one teenage daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar.<\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
I want to start by saying that much of this will be over-simplified, and some may not come from a background to understand what I'm getting at. But some will appreciate it, and it's important to me, and I was asked to tell about myself.<\/p>
First, I am a Christian. That means I want to please God in everything I do. God makes life worthwhile, which is as I indicated before, an extreme understatement. And to clarify what I mean vs popular media, the God of the Bible says His commands can be summarized in two, to love Him with all my heart, and to love my neighbor as myself. He then explains that my neighbor means anyone who comes across my path in life, and to demonstrate love with action, to serve each other.<\/p>
Now, I mess up, and I mess up a lot, but I keep trying. And when I mess up, I want to do three things. First, apologize - honestly, sincerely, and every time. Second, make it right, as much as possible - which is often not sufficient, it sometimes comes across as shallow and self-serving even when it's sincere, but it's important to try. And third, learn from the experience, apply what I learn, to not do it again. So then, the focus of life is loving God and loving each other with service.<\/p>
Second, I'm neuroatypical, with ADHD and other aspects of the autistic spectrum. Now, don't listen to how some people over-generalize. Neurodiversity is not a disorder, but a different way of processing. And it's a wide spectrum, and some people do have complications that need adjustments, and some people have abilities others don't. It literally means that we are inside our own heads - we tend to think more than we speak. Sometimes I think I said something to my wife, but I just thought about saying it - I thought it so clearly that I thought I said it out loud, and it wasn't out loud. Attention deficit and hyperactivity mean that we want to learn things that are interesting and new, and we don't want to stagnate. When things are stagnant, we get bored - and that tends to show up pretty strongly in traditional schools that teach using rote memorization. In grade school, I got straight Cs - I got As on tests and Fs on boring homework. Now that I'm an adult, I tend to focus on details, and I can get lost in my work for hours at a time. And sometimes I express things in a way that is too literal for others to understand what I mean - people can think I'm criticizing when that's not my intention, and what I'm saying is literally accurate. But an ability to work with details and accuracy helps me with both my work and my ministries.<\/p>
I often consider that I grew up in northeast Georgia, but I've been here significantly longer than anywhere else. In Georgia, I got two technical degrees and worked with a variety of IT jobs, but I found that for a stable career, most companies wanted a bachelor degree. So I went to college, and while I was there, getting a bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Management, my father took a job at King College, so afterwards I came here. I got a job at Universal Fibers, where I worked until last year. At the end of last year, I was offered a job at BCTI in Gray, where I can more directly help a variety of local businesses and organizations as a Systems Engineer. And in 2018, I met Amanda, formerly Gardner, and we got married in 2021, 5 years ago. She's from Radford, but she's been here almost as long as I have. She worked at Emory & Henry until last June, and now she works at King University.<\/p>
I've put things this way before. My favorite job title was Technical Support Engineer. In that role, \"support\" was my middle name, helping people however I can. In a previous role, the executive assistant to the president regularly asked for help getting ready for board meetings, bringing in cases of drinks from her car, setting up tables, putting out appetizers - and getting out of the way and going back to my own job before they saw me.<\/p>
But my focus is technology, and I have education and experience with almost anything IT-related, from hardware and software to programming, servers, and networking. Those are areas where I can not only help people, but I can help in ways others don't have the expertise. When the office needs to set up for a party, I'm glad to help, but setting things up in a tasteful and attractive way isn't in my skillset. My personality leans towards functional. I've said before that I'm autistic, not artistic, but I enjoy finding other areas where I can help.<\/p>
And I go further than that. As reflected by the title Engineer, I try to improve things. Part of our company slogan at Universal was \"We will make better what we find and use less to produce more\". Sometimes people say things about IT like, what are we paying you for? We rarely see you do anything. You're here to fix problems, and we don't have enough problems to justify keeping you. Well, when IT does their job, you don't see them. We fix problems before they come up. We catch things while they're little. As an engineer or analyst, I want to improve processes so that the same problems don't come up, or at least not as badly or as often. And, managers please take note, much of the time when IT problems get big, it's either because they're too busy putting out fires that they don't have time to do fix them right, or they don't have the support to do so properly. It takes money to preemptively improve things, but it costs less in the long run. You've got to plan for routine maintenance, not just for facilities but for technology, and you need to budget for it or it won't happen - until you have an expensive failure.<\/p>
And these led me to getting involved in local government. I started attending the City Council meetings in 2011. And I saw things that could use improvement. Turns out that writing policies and refining procedures fits pretty well with working with local legal code. I was able to help with the Planning Commission for two full terms, which is all that's allowed. We got several things improved, perhaps not perfect because of the compromises required, but among other things, we created a mobile vending permit that now allows food trucks. Before, the City's answer was that it's not allowed. We didn't accept that as an answer, but we created a process where it could be done. We also created the process that allowed urban chickens, a process which was refined further by the current City Planner and Planning Commission. And the City now has a rotation plan for City vehicles rather than waiting for them to fail before replacing them. And we're in the process of eliminating a pet fee process that costs more than it generates. There's still work to be done, but it's better.<\/p>
About four years ago, I was honored to be elected to the City Council, and that's enabled me to get involved in other things, supporting and in some cases advising some of our great local organizations. I'm currently working with the Bristol Train Station Foundation, the Bristol Library Board of Trustees, the Bristol Library Finance Committee, the Bristol Virginia Planning Commission, and the Rhythm and Roots Committee. I've joined the Bristol Noon Rotary, and I'm on the boards of Girls Inc and Kiwanis of Bristol United. And I help with Community Baptist Church, where among other things, we help the food insecure with boxes of food, and we support several local ministries that help the low-income and unhoused.<\/p>
And yes, sometimes I'm more free with my opinions than some people may prefer. I try not to criticize individuals, but ideas and policies, though as I noted before, some people take it personally anyway. Will that make it harder to get re-elected? Maybe, but I think it also says I'm a regular person. I may not be good with smalltalk, but I'll be glad to talk with anybody if you've got any questions.
(If this is too long, let me know - I have shorter versions)<\/p>"}}},{"id":6119,"slug":"1-greatest-challenge","title":"1. Greatest challenge","description":"
What's the greatst challenge facing Bristol and what do you propose to do about it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
Bristol's greatest challenge is our debt, and therefore our tax burden on our citizens and our limited ability to expand services. We must focus on economic development and tourism - both are driving factors of revenue growth that don't involve raising taxes or burdens on our citizens. We are in the process of hiring a new Economic Development Manager (it may be done by the time this is public) so that we can push full steam ahead in growing our business development. Growing our industry and business community will grow jobs and our economy - a win-win. Also, we must promote our tourism assets in our city. Let's bring visitors in and capture their tax money - if you're reading this outside of Bristol come check out our casino, our music and night life (we are the Birthplace of Country Music after all - we have a Smithsonian affiliated museum to prove it), our outdoor recreation options, our NASCAR track across the line, our nationally known semi-pro soccer team (the Bristol Rhythm AFC), and our soon to be wooden-bat baseball league \"insert name here\". We've got something for everyone.<\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
Bristol's greatest challenge is figuring out what kind of city we want to be while trying to align that with what we can afford to do. We have seen economic growth with the casino project, we opened the first new school in almost 50 years, and we have a top class school system, along with well-funded police and fire departments. <\/p>
At the same time, the city still faces very large debt payments tied to projects from 15 and 20 years ago or more, and it severely constrains our ability as a city to grow. I think the key to getting us over that hurdle is to dramatically increase our tax base through a combination of economic development and population growth. <\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
Bristol is too expensive for people who are trying to do the right thing. We need to find ways to reduce real estate taxes and vehicle taxes on people while improving the quality of necessary services, and we need to draw in housing developers to reduce housing costs by increasing availability. And we need to help people find good paying jobs, not just entry-level jobs. I appreciate those who move here to retire, but we also need to take care of the people who have been here their whole lives and those who want to move here before they retire.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6120,"slug":"2-virginia-intermont-property","title":"2. Virginia Intermont property","description":"
There has been no visible progress toward improving the burned-out former Virginia Intermont College campus in downtown Bristol. Given that the property is owned by a company based in China, what can and should be done to encourage cleanup and eventual development of this site? Has the city done enough?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
The city has tried multiple ways to put pressure on the foreign company to clean up its act or to sell, including asking our legislators to pass legislation to help secure the property and blighting the property. We are currently working on another path that will require a little time and money, but we think it has legs. My wife was in the last graduating class in 2014 at VI and I spent a lot of time on campus while we were dating - this school and its graduates deserve better. We will see this through and we will find a resolution. We've had many dead-ends, but it's too important to stop.<\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
The fire at the Virginia Intermont campus was heartbreaking. I saw the fire from my house and I rushed over there to see if I could do anything. I watched in person in the middle of the night as the main building was engulfed and collapsed in on itself and it felt like losing an integral member of our city's family.<\/p>
The city, in my opinion, has not done enough. We're fairly limited in what we can do currently as far as forcing the sale of the property because the ownership has caught up their delinquent real estate taxes, but we as a city have the power to levy fines and force the ownership to clean up the property to some degree. My hope is that they will eventually not want to deal with the continuous fines and choose to sell it.<\/p>
Eminent domain could be an option, but the city does not have the extra money to pay several million dollars to take possession of it, and the eminent domain process would necessitate using the property for public purposes.<\/p>
City leadership is discussing different avenues to address this on a regular basis, and it's one of our top priorities. <\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
The City, with our new City Manager and City Attorney who both live in the city, is pursuing some additional options. You don't always see them because of the legal processes, and we as Council members can't always talk about them with any substance, but we are working on it.
One complication is that the City can't afford to raise taxes enough to do the improvements ourselves. We have to do some for sake of critical safety issues, but it could cost millions of dollars just to address basic safety for urban hunters and others who may trespass on the property. And of course the other complication is the historic nature of the property - it's a great location, but we don't want someone to buy it for the land and just tear it all down. So we have to be careful as we pursue options, but we are pursuing options.
When the complications are out of the way, I'd like to see it used as a multipurpose development, refurbishing the buildings that can be, and perhaps building some new buildings in a similar style to fill in, and have retail or restaurants on the ground floor, professional offices on the second floor, and upscale apartments or townhomes on the upper floors. Ultimately it will be up to the developer that foots the bill, but that's a concept I like.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6121,"slug":"3-casino-revenue","title":"3. Casino revenue","description":"
Earlier this year, city officials attempted to get a larger share of the gaming tax revenue from the casino in Bristol and at least one official has said that effort will continue. Currently, under a unique revenue-sharing agreement, 14 localities across far Southwest get an equal annual share of this money and most of the other localities oppose the move. Do you support Bristol getting more of this money? Why or why not?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
The split of the gaming revenue was the idea of Mr. McGlothlin and the creators of the casino - we want to honor the concept behind that idea. However, our city provides the infrastructure and first responder support to the casino that no other locality has to, so there should absolutely be a host city fee of some sort. To argue against that is illogical. I have been to Richmond advocating on this and to work to secure funding for our city for our landfill over the last four years because we need our legislators' support. I believe we've made progress: our legislative partners have heard our pleas and secured $28.5 million in funding for our landfill projects. We are still working on the casino host city piece and conversations are still ongoing.<\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
I fully favor continuing the efforts to get our fair share of gaming tax revenue. We are the host city and have increased costs (like infrastructure upgrades and public safety presence) that none of the other recipients of the revenue have.<\/p>
Gaming tax revenue is required by law to be earmarked for either education, public safety, or infrastructure, and I am grateful that our neighboring localities have been able to provide for their citizens with the money they've received, but my number one priority is the city of Bristol, and we have so many things in the city that could be improved and grown with a larger share of the gaming tax revenue. During the previous General Assembly session, I sought several different ways to make it happen and I was not successful, but I am prepared to be laser focused on it in the upcoming session. <\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
Every other locality with a casino gets the entire local revenue for themselves, and the voters who approved the referendum believed that was going to be the case here. If we were able to get the majority of revenue, we could make the many improvements people are asking for, and we could do so without raising taxes.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6122,"slug":"4-casino-impact","title":"4. Casino impact","description":"
What effect do you think the casino has had on the city so far?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":3,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
The Hard Rock has been a fantastic community partner. With our musical heritage, the Hard Rock brand was the obvious choice and they've truly embraced our city and our city's legacy. They have worked with so many of our region's nonprofits and have donated to support them and their work. They have also supported our first responders on various projects, and they have worked directly with the city. The uptick in visitors has also helped across the board with our tourism numbers and all that entails. The Hard Rock has been a wonderful partner to our community.<\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
I think the overall impact from Hard Rock Casino's presence in Bristol has been incredibly positive. Hundreds of good paying jobs have been created for residents of our city. Our lodging and meals tax revenue lines have grown and it has allowed us to pay more competitively for hiring, as well as enabling us to hire more public safety employees. Local businesses have seen increased business from having folks in town, as well as in some cases forming partnerships directly with the casino. The casino's philanthropic efforts have been a major success for a lot of groups throughout our region who are working to do good stuff, and I am grateful for that.<\/p>
Obviously, we have some growing pains related to infrastructure and housing, and that's why both those issues are issues I'm focusing on in my campaign.<\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
The meals tax and hotel tax have been beneficial. Because of the confidential nature of business taxes, we don't know how much has been from them vs other businesses, but we have benefited. Bristol TN has doubtless benefited too, though they don't get any of the gaming tax at all - but they have some nice hotels nearby. But with increased numbers of visitors, we obviously have increased crime and increased wear and tear on infrastructure. The numbers of the local homeless population increased significantly at the same time, but we can't know if that was related or just coincidental.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6123,"slug":"5-housing","title":"5. Housing","description":"
Bristol, Virginia officials have said in recent years that the city has a serious housing shortage. What can city council do to change that?<\/p>
<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":4,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
We absolutely need housing in Bristol. City staff has begun to work with various state and federal partners on opportunities that may open up avenues for more housing options. There are numerous grant opportunities and our legislative partners have been great about connecting us with them after my State of the Cities address where I mentioned our need for housing in our city. Additionally, we can work to ensure that zoning ordinances and regulations are conducive to building and\/or rehabbing properties throughout the city. We are in the process of hiring an additional code enforcement officer to help with code enforcement as well - we need to keep our current housing stock in good shape and correct anything that is falling behind.<\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
We're not unique in that we have a shortage of affordable workforce level housing. We are somewhat unique, however, in that we as an independent city can not grow outward, we can either build up or work with the space we have.<\/p>
I am proposing a three part plan to help solve this problem. One, I want to institute a 10-year real estate tax abatement program to incentivize homeowners to expand and improve their homes. Two, I want to streamline zoning and permitting within a mile of downtown to make it easier to build more duplexes and townhouses. Three, I want to utilize city owned properties and vacant lots via an RFP process to find builders willing to build workforce level housing with rent locked in and targeted for median income families. <\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
The shortage isn't just here. But we need to be concerned with what's here, and we need to try to find ways to address it. We have been looking at ways to implement the no-net-loss incentive policy for residential development. It doesn't bring in sales-related taxes, so it takes more consideration than the other incentives, but someone who makes substantive improvements or develops new properties pays more real estate tax, and if we can incentivize that redevelopment by rebating to them a portion of their own tax, I think that's a good idea.
We also need to make sure local codes don't impact the ability to redevelop. Sometimes issues come up, like some properties an owner currently wants to redevelop, only to find that they're zoned for manufacturing instead, and we can address those as they come up - and we can review them in a more comprehensive manner to proactively head off some of the problems, and we need to do so in ways that aren't detrimental to existing owners.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6125,"slug":"5-sales-tax-for-schools","title":"6. Sales tax for schools","description":"
Virginia law now allows localities to hold a referendum on whether to raise the local sales tax by 1% with the revenue going to school construction. Should Bristol hold such a referendum?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":5,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
Our citizens have a large tax burden as it is, however, this option would allow them to have their own voice on whether they would want the additional 1% tax for school construction. Our newest school, built two years ago, was the first new school built in over 50 years. It will be a very long time before we are able to build a new school without assistance or a tool like this, so I am very open to putting this before our citizens to get their opinion on it. I have always been an advocate for our schools and our students, so making sure our people have this option laid out before them is a good thing. Not allowing our citizens a voice on this school funding opportunity is a mistake in my opinion. <\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
I anticipate that the school board will discuss this issue and whether they support it. If the voters of the city wanted to pass this, it would allow the city to start considering significant improvements to Virginia High, Middle, and Primary Schools in the medium run, and potentially replacing the buildings in the long run. Having a fully up to date and 21st century learning environment for every student should be a top priority for us. <\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
Like most things, I can see two sides to it, or maybe more than two. On the one hand, I don't want to see taxes raised, and I'd vote against the increase myself in the referendum. I feel it would hurt the low-income people it's intended to help.
On the other hand, this would make it directly a decision of the people, and most of those people are themselves low-income. And we do have a lot of capital improvement needs in our school system, many of which would otherwise need to be paid for with the other local taxes. A previous superintendent often talked about the age of our schools in terms of the Presidents who were in office at the time. I think that if schools are properly maintained and upgraded, they should be able to be maintained effectively forever - but those upgrades are also expensive.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6124,"slug":"6-other-issues","title":"7. Other issues","description":"
What else do you think voters should know?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":6,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12789":{"content":"
Bristol has been through quite a few challenges, with some of them self-inflicted. We've made tremendous progress: we've brought down complaints at the landfill from almost 2000 in 2021 to just 2 this year and we've paid down some significant debt, but we've still got so much work to do. I firmly believe that if we can promote our tourism assets and grow our economy with economic development we will see some significant progress. We've also got to make sure we are taking care of our school system and our first responders (staff pay and staffing levels need to be looked at) so that our future generations are properly educated and we are safe. Bristol is a good place to live but it takes work, and I'm ready for four more years of the job.<\/p>"},"12790":{"content":"
Another issue that I have prioritized has been city road infrastructure. Every budget season since roughly 2021, I have requested that additional funding be made available for patching potholes and improving city maintained streets. I have also pushed to be more proactive on pursuing VDOT-funded projects for major thoroughfares. While this process tends to take longer, it allows us to do bigger things without using city revenue to pay for it. <\/p>"},"12791":{"content":"
People talk about local needs, and they're right. We need safety nets. But historically, those safety nets have been provided by the community, not by the government. People helping people. Please find ways you can get involved. If you can't help with money, help with time. You see on TV shows people who are campaigning using soup kitchens as a photo op. Well, those soup kitchens - Haven of Rest, Salvation Army, and several others - are very real places with very real needs. And it's not just soup - they need office help, help in their resale stores, grounds maintenance, and many other things.
Some of those are listed on United Way of Bristol's volunteer website, https:\/\/www.volunteer-united.org. But start with your church, and see how you can help there. Then check other groups near you - I won't even start to list them here. And even the City has opportunities regularly for various boards. Get involved. Make a difference. Love thy neighbor.<\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"candidate_card","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["candidate_card"],"title":"Short summary","help_hint":"Brief fields (like demographics) for a summary card. Keep it short: this takes space in all candidate listings"}}]},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"],"title":"Sidebar","help_hint":"Shorter topics for the side rail"}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"],"title":"Primary","help_hint":"Main area, great for more in-depth and longer policy topics"}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]},{"id":2580,"slug":"bristol-school-board-3-seats-available","title":"Bristol School Board 2026 (3 seats available)","blocks":[{"type":"raceitems","race_type":"election","race_id":2204,"race_description":"","groups":[{"custom_id":null,"slug":"bristol-school-board-3-seats-available","name":"Bristol School Board (3 seats available)","content":null,"show_heading":false,"hide_map_shape":false,"candidates":[{"id":12951,"slug":"bryan-d-kimberlin","name":"Bryan D. Kimberlin","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-47536be7-d081-44df-be9f-6e59a98dd686.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-47536be7-d081-44df-be9f-6e59a98dd686.jpeg","order":0},{"id":12952,"slug":"vanessa-b-guffey","name":"Vanessa B. Guffey","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":1},{"id":12953,"slug":"rhoda-a-blackwell","name":"Rhoda A. Blackwell","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-fafd9207-8a4b-44e6-8cac-3bea99522745.png","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-fafd9207-8a4b-44e6-8cac-3bea99522745.png","order":2},{"id":12954,"slug":"shannon-t-love","name":"Shannon T. Love","party":null,"photo_sm":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/sm-55f9dfa1-7095-4323-8be1-78d013be7e93.jpeg","photo_lg":"https:\/\/app.electup.com\/storage\/thumbnails\/lg-55f9dfa1-7095-4323-8be1-78d013be7e93.jpeg","order":3},{"id":12955,"slug":"ric-s-watts","name":"Ric S. Watts","party":null,"photo_sm":null,"photo_lg":null,"order":4}]}],"total_groups_count":1,"topics":[{"id":6126,"slug":"biographical-information","title":"Biographical information","description":"","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"candidate_card","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12951":{"content":"
I have dedicated the past 30 years of my life to public service. I served 10 years in the United States Air Force, including active duty, the Air Force Reserve, and the Tennessee Air National Guard. My military service taught me the importance of discipline, integrity, teamwork, accountability, and putting the needs of others first.<\/p>
I began my career in emergency medical services in 1996. I advanced from an EMT to a paramedic, critical care flight paramedic, and paramedic supervisor. Today, I serve as Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia EMS Council, where I work with healthcare organizations, emergency responders, local governments, and community partners throughout our region. My career has provided me with extensive experience in leadership, public safety, budgeting, strategic planning, education, and bringing people together to solve difficult problems.<\/p>
For more than 15 years, I have volunteered with youth sports in Bristol. My service has included leadership roles with Bristol Virginia Little League and working alongside the Virginia High School sports medicine team to help care for and protect our student athletes. I have devoted countless evenings and weekends to supporting young people because I believe every student deserves a safe environment, strong role models, and the opportunity to succeed.<\/p>
Education is also deeply personal to me. I have dyslexia, and members of my family have experienced dyslexia and ADHD. These experiences have given me a personal understanding of the challenges faced by students who learn differently. They have also shown me the importance of early support, effective resources, and teachers who recognize the potential within every student.<\/p>
I am running for the Bristol Virginia School Board to continue my record of service and give back to the community that has meant so much to my family. My priorities include student safety and security, academic achievement, supporting teachers and staff, responsible financial stewardship, career and technical education, workforce readiness, and ensuring that parents and community members have a voice in their school system.<\/p>
I believe leadership begins with listening. I am committed to being accessible, studying the facts, treating people respectfully, and making decisions based on what is best for Bristol's students and the long-term future of our school system.<\/p>"},"12953":{"content":"
I'm a SWVA girl raised in Tazewell County. After working many years in a clinical lab yo raise my children, I moved to a corporate job to gain more skills. I have a very well rounded background with a strong reputation for getting things done. And I will always make decisions based on what is best for the kids, ALL the kids. <\/p>"},"12954":{"content":"
Shannon is married to Bo Love, principal in BVPS and has lived in Bristol for almost 30 years. They have two daughters, Delaney and Callee-Scout Love. Delaney teaches Art in WashingtonCo Tn and Callee-Scout is in Grad school at UVA Charlottesville for ED Psych. Shannon and Bo don't exactly have an empty nest tho cause they have Murphy Brown, their Chocolate Lab. He thinks he's human. He retrieves the mail and helps keep Shannon from passing out when her heart rate has been too low, before she had her Pacemaker. His favorite thing to do is retrieve tennis balls and play with his neighbors Tex and Thor. Murphy definitely keeps us on our toes!!!! <\/p>"}}},{"id":6128,"slug":"1-biggest-challenge","title":"1. Biggest challenge","description":"
What's the biggest challenge facing your school system and how do you propose to address it?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":0,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12951":{"content":"
I believe the biggest budget challenge facing our school system is the City's financial shortfall, which directly limits the local funding available for our schools. At the same time, the costs of personnel, transportation, technology, facility maintenance, special education, and student-support services continue to rise.<\/p>
As a School Board member, I would recognize the City's financial limitations while continuing to advocate strongly for the needs of our students and employees. I would prioritize classroom instruction, student safety, and the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers and staff. Every expenditure should be carefully reviewed to ensure it supports student success and provides taxpayers with measurable value.<\/p>
We must also look beyond short-term budget decisions and help strengthen the City's long-term economic future. By working with our Career and Technical Education programs, local employers, community colleges, and workforce-development partners, we can better prepare students for careers that are available in our region. A skilled and work-ready labor force can help attract new industries and support the growth of existing businesses. Over time, that economic growth can expand the City's tax base and increase the local funding available for public education.<\/p>
I would also work closely with the superintendent, City Council, state officials, and community partners to pursue grants, identify responsible efficiencies, and explore shared-service opportunities. Addressing this challenge will require cooperation, transparency, and long-term planning. We must make responsible financial decisions today while building a stronger community and school system for the future.<\/p>"},"12953":{"content":"
I don't believe one person can solve every problem. But I do believe a school board that listens, works together, supports teachers, and keeps kids at the center of every decision can make a real difference.<\/strong><\/p>"},"12954":{"content":"Bringing all the schools to ADA compliance and addressing the drop in enrollment.<\/p>"}}},{"id":6129,"slug":"2-qualifications","title":"2. Qualifications","description":"
What qualities or insights do you feel you bring to the school board?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":1,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12951":{"content":"
I believe I bring practical experience, thoughtful leadership, and a strong commitment to students, families, and educators. Through 30 years of public service, including 10 years as an Air Force veteran, I have developed the discipline, accountability, and leadership skills needed to listen to different perspectives, organize information, solve problems, and fulfill responsibilities. My military service taught me the value of teamwork, preparation, integrity, and sound decision-making under pressure. My public-service career further strengthened my ability to serve diverse communities, balance competing priorities, and remain focused on the public good.<\/p>
I also have more than 15 years of experience volunteering in youth sports. Working with young people and their families has given me a firsthand understanding of the importance of mentorship, teamwork, discipline, encouragement, and opportunity. It has shown me how students thrive when adults work together to create safe, supportive environments. These experiences have prepared me to approach school governance with care, preparation, accountability, and a student-centered perspective.<\/p>
Effective school governance requires careful listening, informed questions, objective review of information, and decisions based on what best serves students and the long-term health of the school system. My military and public-service backgrounds have taught me to gather input, assess challenges, consider available resources, and work collaboratively toward practical solutions. They have also reinforced the importance of respectful communication, transparency, careful planning, and fact-based decision-making.<\/p>
I offer a broad perspective on the connection between education and the community's economic future. Through my public service and community involvement, I have seen how education, employment, and community development influence one another. Strong schools prepare students for college, careers, and civic life, while a well-educated workforce helps attract businesses, strengthen neighborhoods, and expand opportunities for families. I would support partnerships with local employers, community colleges, workforce-development organizations, youth programs, and other community groups to ensure our schools meet the needs of students and the region.<\/p>
Fiscal responsibility is another important quality I would bring to the School Board. Public service requires careful stewardship of resources, clear priorities, and accountability for results. I would advocate for investments that directly support classroom instruction, student safety, teacher recruitment and retention, special education, extracurricular opportunities, and student well-being. At the same time, I would pursue grants, efficiencies, and collaborative solutions that make the most of available resources.<\/p>
Most importantly, I am willing to listen and work with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. My years of public service and youth-sports volunteering have strengthened my ability to build relationships, resolve disagreements respectfully, encourage teamwork, and keep shared goals in focus.<\/p>
I would value the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, coaches, and community members. The School Board should provide thoughtful oversight, communicate transparently, and remain focused on student achievement, safety, opportunity, and well-being. My goal would be to draw on my experience as a public servant, Air Force veteran, and youth-sports volunteer to build trust, support sound decisions, and help create a stronger school system for every student.<\/p>"},"12953":{"content":"
I've advocated for kids my whole life and still do. And I'm very involved in these schools because my 2 grandchildren go here. One grand child has special needs. I also come with a heavy business background so I'm very trained in negotiating contracts and finding ways to do more with less. <\/p>"},"12954":{"content":"
My love for Bristol City Schools is very special. Having been a teacher in the system and having daughters that graduated from Bristol and a husband that went every single grade through BVPS and has taught or been in administration with BVPS his entire career gives me so much pride and appreciation for Bristol Virginia Public Schools. I think that it also gives me a unique perspective as a parent and an educator. <\/p>"}}},{"id":6130,"slug":"3-capital-projects","title":"3. Capital projects","description":"
Now that the city school system opened a new school, what is the most pressing need for school buildings?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":2,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12951":{"content":"
Now that the City has made a major investment in a new school, I believe the most pressing need for our school buildings is ensuring the safety and security of every student and employee. Families should be confident that their children are learning in facilities that are secure, healthy, and properly maintained.<\/p>
We should regularly evaluate secure entrances, door-locking systems, cameras, emergency communications, visitor-management procedures, traffic patterns, and the ability of staff and first responders to respond effectively during an emergency. Safety planning should also include fire protection, reliable heating and cooling systems, accessibility, and the timely repair of hazards within our buildings and on school grounds.<\/p>
The School Board should work closely with administrators, teachers, school resource officers, public-safety agencies, parents, and students to identify concerns and strengthen emergency plans. Those plans must be practiced, evaluated, and updated as needs and potential threats change.<\/p>
Beyond immediate safety concerns, we must protect the City's investment in the new school while responsibly maintaining our older facilities. I would support a comprehensive, long-term facilities plan that prioritizes projects based on safety, urgency, educational impact, and long-term cost. Preventive maintenance is critical because correcting smaller problems early is safer and less expensive than allowing them to become major repairs.<\/p>
Even while facing financial limitations, safety and security cannot become an afterthought. They must remain our first priority in every facilities and budget decision.<\/p>"},"12953":{"content":"
Of course the oldest building is at the top of the list for repairs and those are defined and addressed in order of need. We also need all of our buildings to be wheelchair accessible . <\/p>"},"12954":{"content":"
ADA compliance. I've been told there is a plan in place for the improvements needed for the high school. Now how and when they're going to make those improvements? I haven't heard. <\/p>"}}},{"id":6127,"slug":"sales-tax-for-schools","title":"4. Sales tax for schools","description":"
Virginia law now allows localities to hold a referendum on whether to raise the local sales tax by 1% with the revenue going to school construction. Should Bristol hold such a referendum?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":3,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12951":{"content":"
I am not in favor of raising taxes, and I would not support a referendum to increase Bristol's local sales tax at this time. Families and businesses are already facing higher costs, and we should exhaust every responsible alternative before asking taxpayers to pay more.<\/p>
I also recognize that there may be circumstances when a community has no other realistic choice, particularly when the safety of students and employees is at risk. However, a tax increase should be considered only as a last resort, after a specific need has been clearly demonstrated, all other funding options have been exhausted, and the public has been given complete information.<\/p>
I believe a better long-term solution is to help the City grow its economy and tax base. Our school system can play an important role by strengthening Career and Technical Education programs and working with local employers, community colleges, workforce-development organizations, and economic-development leaders. Preparing students for careers needed in our region will provide local businesses with a stronger workforce and help Bristol attract new industries. New businesses, jobs, and economic activity would generate additional tax revenue that could support our schools without increasing the sales-tax rate.<\/p>
We should also pursue state and federal grants, school-construction assistance, energy-efficiency savings, public-private partnerships, and other available resources. The School Board and City Council should maintain a prioritized, long-term facilities plan so that we can address needs before they become emergencies.<\/p>
My priority would be keeping our students and employees safe while protecting Bristol families and businesses from an additional tax burden whenever possible. Growing our workforce and expanding our local economy offer a more sustainable path to increasing school funding.<\/p>"},"12953":{"content":"
Bristol should hold the referendum. And then if passed , use that money for capital expenditures. <\/p>"},"12954":{"content":"
No. Bristol has been taxed enough. <\/p>"}}},{"id":6131,"slug":"5-other-issues","title":"5. Other issues","description":"
What else do you think voters should know?<\/p>","type":"text","allow_text":true,"allow_structured":false,"zone_id":"ticket_1","order":4,"compare":true,"show_compare":true,"responses":{"12951":{"content":"
I want voters to know that my commitment to Bristol's students did not begin with this campaign. For more than 15 years, I have volunteered in youth sports. For the past several years, I have also worked alongside the Virginia High School sports medicine team, helping care for and protect our student athletes. I have spent countless evenings and weekends serving our young people because I genuinely care about them, their families, and their futures.<\/p>
Public service has been a major part of my life for 30 years. I served 10 years in the United States Air Force and have dedicated much of my career to emergency medical services. These experiences taught me discipline, accountability, teamwork, and the importance of being prepared. They also taught me how to remain calm, listen to others, and make difficult decisions when people are counting on me.<\/p>
Education is very personal to me. I have dyslexia, and members of my family have experienced both dyslexia and ADHD. I understand how frustrating school can sometimes feel for a student who learns differently. I also know how much the right teacher, support, and encouragement can change that student's life. I want every child to know that learning differently does not mean they cannot succeed.<\/p>
I am also committed to improving the safety and preparedness of our schools. I want to work with each of our schools to become recognized through Project ADAM, a program that helps schools prepare for and respond to sudden cardiac emergencies. I also want to work toward having our entire school system recognized as a Heart-Safe school system. These efforts can help ensure that our schools have the training, emergency plans, equipment, and resources needed to protect students, staff, and visitors when every second matters.<\/p>
I am running for School Board because I want to continue serving the community that has given so much to my family and me. I want our students to be safe, our educators to feel supported, and our parents to know they are being heard. I want every student to leave our school system prepared for college, a career, military service, or whichever path is right for them.<\/p>
I will be accessible and willing to listen. I will ask questions, study the facts, and be honest about the decisions I make. I may not always agree with everyone, but I will always treat people respectfully and keep the needs of our students at the center of every decision.<\/p>"},"12953":{"content":"
I want voters to know that along with caring for kids , I also know how to get things done that benefit them. Whether it's in the front office or the back office , I have the skills to help make the right decisions and execute the right decisions. <\/p>"},"12954":{"content":"
I'm very active in my church. I lead crafts with the FISH kids on Tuesdays, I teach Sunday school for the youth and help with the Youth. It's the kids in my church that made me want to run for school board. I think the kids that are in the middle need to be watched out for more too. We pay so much attention to the advanced kids and the kids with special needs and the lower income kids but let's be real. It's the ones in the middle that are the work horses. They're the ones meeting the test scores, their parents are the ones paying the bills and they're the ones that get forgotten about the most. We need to do more for these students to make school enjoyable and make them want to come back to Bristol to settle when they're older. <\/p>"}}}],"template":[{"component":"row","children":[{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"33%"},"children":[{"component":"individual_candidates","children":[{"component":"candidate_card","children":[{"component":"portrait"},{"component":"name"},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["candidate_card"],"title":"Short summary","help_hint":"Brief fields (like demographics) for a summary card. Keep it short: this takes space in all candidate listings"}}]},{"component":"individual_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["individual_1","individual_2"],"title":"Sidebar","help_hint":"Shorter topics for the side rail"}}]}]},{"component":"column","attributes":{"width":"66%"},"children":[{"component":"ticket_questions","attributes":{"zone_id":["ticket_1","ticket_2"],"title":"Primary","help_hint":"Main area, great for more in-depth and longer policy topics"}}]}]}],"layout":{"groups":"dropdown","topics":"directory","responses":"auto","wrap":"auto"}}]}]}}