Marshall heading back to Richmond

By Catherine Amos

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Mirroring the statewide races, Virginia’s 14th House of Delegates District overwhelmingly supported its Republican candidate, Delegate Danny Marshall, with an average of about 68 percent of the vote Tuesday.

Marshall won his fifth run for delegate against Democratic challenger Seward Anderson, a former Danville mayor. Marshall won 74 percent of the district vote in Pittsylvania County, 69 percent in Henry County and 61 percent in Danville.

Waiting eagerly for local election results, a group of dedicated Republican supporters sat glued to a big-screen TV airing national election coverage in a banquet room at the Comfort Inn & Suites Tuesday night. As the statewide races were called for the GOP, applause followed.

When Marshall entered the room shortly thereafter, the crowd of about 150 stood and cheered.

“Boy this is different than 2007,” he joked. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Marshall vehemently thanked his volunteers, some of whom helped to make more than 93,000 phone calls in support of Republicans this year, a party organizer said.

“Southside is in the midst of a transition,” Marshall said. “I will continue to work to maximize economic development funds… and use those resources to get Southside moving again. I will continue to work hard to be your voice in Richmond.”

Delegate Don Merricks, R-16th District — who will also return to Richmond after running unopposed this year — and state Sen. Robert Hurt both congratulated Marshall and statewide Republicans.

“This is a good night for Virginia and this is a good night for Southside,” Hurt said.

Most voters approached at the polls Tuesday said they voted strictly along party lines. Nearly all of those approached mentioned jobs or the economy as a key issue to them.

With local unemployment edging toward the highest in the state, the predominant issues of the 14th District campaigns — and others across Virginia — centered on the economy.

Don Haymore, who was volunteering at the Green Street precinct in Danville, voted for Marshall.

“Because Danny has done a good job for Southside,” Haymore said. “I don’t see any reason to upset the apple cart.”

Danville resident Tyrone Grove supported Anderson at his campaign office Tuesday night along with a small gathering of volunteers. He said “jobs and opportunity” were the biggest issues of the campaign and that he voted for the straight Democratic ticket. 

“I believe that he’s a candidate we can trust,” Grove said of Anderson before the final results were announced. “He tries hard to help small businesses in the area.”

Throughout the last six months, Marshall has touted his involvement with the Tobacco Commission and its investments in economic development. Anderson promoted his support for expanding the Governor’s Opportunity Fund — and criticized Marshall’s past votes to cut the fund.

The campaign for the 14th District seat also brought to light the consistent underfunding of a statewide economic development tool: Enterprise Zones. Funded by the state, the enterprise zone grants provide cash incentives for businesses in struggling localities, but have been underfunded for the last five years.

In a statement sent after the results were in, Anderson thanked his supporters and congratulated Marshall, urging him to “pursue the responsible investments in education and economic development we so badly need in Southside.”

“The debate was spirited at times and rightfully so,” Anderson said in his statement. “…It is my sincere hope that this campaign has served to elevate the expectations of our community. We should expect that our state government be as committed to bringing new jobs to Southside as we are and we must demand that policy going forward reflect that.”

Marshall currently serves as a member of the Tobacco Commission and his legislative committee assignments include Counties, Cities and Towns, of which he is vice chairman; Commerce and Labor; and Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources.

“I’m just thankful that our team is still in place,” Merricks said at the Republican victory party. “Virginia set a precedent… The people have spoken a very clear message.”

Amos is a staff writer for the Danville Register & Bee.