House hopefuls face uphill battle against Carr, Cox

By: Olympia Meola | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: June 11, 2009

The candidates for two local House of Delegates seats hope that talking about jobs will land them one.

Betsy Carr, who secured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday for the 69th District seat, and John A. Cox, who won the GOP nod in the 55th, each have opponents in November's general election.

Though both primary winners are considered strong favorites in the fall because Hanover's 55th is heavily Republican and the 69th, including South Richmond and part of Chesterfield County, leans Democratic, their challengers are hitting the streets.

And they're all taking a cue from the recession.

Cox said during a day of rest yesterday that his focus on job creation propelled him to victory in a three-way Republican nomination battle.

"That's what I bring to the table -- my experience in common-sense, prudent business management. I think our government needs to be run like a business," said Cox, a trucking executive. "We don't have access to unlimited taxpayer funds, nor should we."

Cox won 46 percent of the vote on Tuesday. Rusty McGuire had 43 percent, and Jerry F. Burch Jr. got 11 percent.

Cox's Democratic opponent, Robert N. Barnette, a safety specialist and chairman of the Hanover Democratic Committee, said he is running to give residents a voice. He wants to expand broadband access in the county to attract more companies, and he is focusing on the county's growth.

"We want to advocate for smart growth and make sure citizens have input into those types of issues," said Barnette, who will kick off his campaign tomorrow in Ashland.

Carr, a Richmond School Board member, said she was lifted by her grass-roots support. She said she next wants to walk parts of the district that she didn't reach for the primary, promoting her agenda of working on schools, affordable transportation and renewable energy as a way to create more jobs.

"I want to be part of the Democratic [Party] in the General Assembly that gets things done," she said.

Carr won 44 percent of the vote in Tuesday's primary. Carlos Brown got 42 percent, and Antione Green had 13 percent.

Carr's Republican opponent, Ernesto Sampson, a financial adviser, said he also wants to bring more jobs and better schools to the district.

"Our area has been hit hard by the economic downturn," he said, adding that residents have been receptive to his message and his party affiliation despite the district's Democratic leanings.

"The good thing about it [is], people will actually listen and not just throw up a barrier when I say I'm a Republican," Sampson said.

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.