Poindexter touts record

By Debbie Hall

Incumbent Virginia Del. Charles Poindexter said he will stand on his record of helping the rural district he serves when he seeks the GOP nomination in June.

Poindexter, R-Glade Hill, is being challenged by Justin Washer of Bassett.

During his tenure as a state legislator, Poindexter said he has worked to ensure the issues important to residents in the district were his priority as well.

For example, “I put a priority on” finding the revenue needed to pay for improvements to U.S. Highway 58, Poindexter said of the multi-phase, multi-year project to widen the four-lane the highway. “The money is there, and we should start construction in 2020” on the next building phase, he added.

During the previous session of the General Assembly, Poindexter said he worked on issues both big and small.

Poindexter said a bill related to wood burning as a heat source was of great importance to residents, particularly in the rural communities he serves. “I worked to protect the use of woodstoves and fireplaces” as heating sources, he said.

“But probably the most important thing I’ve done is to really influence the state budget” by serving on the Appropriations Committee, Poindexter said of the committee that considers a vast array of subjects, from infrastructure to healthcare to forestry/agriculture to economic development.

“My sub-committee reported out the pay raise for state employees,” and local employees such as teachers, Poindexter said.

Additionally, Poindexter said he has fought to restore state funding to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).

“When the recession hit, Virginia couldn’t put money into the VRS, and unfortunately, the localities didn’t have the funds to put in. I’ve been a strong proponent” of restoring the state share, Poindexter said. The state is putting more money into the system, and because it is a shared expense, localities also must contribute their share.

Poindexter was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2007 after serving eight years on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors. He also has more than 30 years experience in Information Systems Technology .

He retired in 1997 from the Mitre Corporation as site manager and Senior Principal Systems Engineer to the Directorate of Requirements for Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton. His committee assignments include the Appropriations; Counties, Cities and Towns; Agriculture; Chesapeake and Natural Resources committees.

Washer seeks GOP nod

By Debbie Hall

A Henry County man said he will challenge incumbent state Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Glade Hill, for the GOP nomination in the June primary.

Poindexter said he will seek reelection.

Justin Washer, 28, of Bassett, said he decided to seek the seat because he wants to implement a multi-pronged approach to bring manufacturing companies back to the area and work with existing companies to address regulations that are stumbling blocks to expansion and growth.

Since moving to Henry County from Georgia in 2007, Washer said, “I’ve been following the state-wide and the national political scene, and I’ve become more and more frustrated with the lack of job opportunities and specifically, the type of job opportunities” that appear to be on the horizon in the coming decade.

Washer said those specific types are food service and retail, neither of which pay “the type of livable wage our district needs.”

With his experience in his role as a machine operator at Eastman Chemical Co., and based on the manufacturing/trades skill sets of many who live in the 9th District, Washer said he will work to “bring more influential companies, such as Eastman, to this area.

“There are a lot of skilled trades people in our area” who could benefit from a job opportunity in  manufacturing facilities that pay a living wage, Washer said. “You don’t necessarily have to have experience to enter the manufacturing field, but it helps sometimes.”

A self-described direct person, Washer said if he secures the nomination and goes on to win the seat in the November election, he will visit with the types of companies he would like to see in the area “even if they’re out of state,” to court them and attract them to move or expand to the area.  “I plan on making these meetings with the companies face-to-face,” he said.

Additionally, Washer said he will meet with local leaders and/or boards to determine whether there are cumbersome state regulations that are roadblocks to companies experiencing growth or considering an expansion.

“If the state is in their way at all, I want to find legislation to get out of the way” and allow for the needed growth and expansion, he said.

His goals are a “tall order,” Washer said, but “I am a Christian,” he said, and added he will apply “my Biblical morals” when voting on moral issues.

Washer said he moved to Henry County “for love.” He and his wife, Amanda, have 6-year-old twins. The family attends Blackberry Church.