Tobacco Farmer Enters Race in the 19th District

Source from:  roanoke.com By Ruth L. Tisdale 981-3340 06/18/2007

Tobacco farmer Sherman Witcher has entered the 19th District state Senate race as an independent. Witcher joins Del. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham, in the race to replace state Sen. Charles Hawkins, who announced in March that he would not seek re-election. Witcher, 44, said the Senate race is his first run for public office, but he said he is confident that he can win against a more experienced politician. "I maybe a common citizen, but I'm not stupid," Witcher said. "We need someone in there who will stand on the first line of defense against some of these guys. If you want change, then vote for me." Witcher said that people in the district should use "common sense." "If you want change, then vote for the person with plans to make change," Witcher said. "If they are not offering change, then don't vote for them." Witcher is married with five children. House candidate echoes Webb's transformation Andy Parker, the Democratic candidate for the 16th District House of Delegates seat, said he changed parties after becoming discontented with the Republican Party's ideals. Like U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, Parker said he once considered himself a "Reagan Republican." "The party today bears little resemblance to Reagan's party, especially in Virginia," Parker said. "Governor [Mark] Warner demonstrated that you can practice politics, but get things done in a businesslike fashion, putting ideology aside in favor of practical government that the majority Virginians of both parties want." Parker, who founded an executive search firm after being laid off from the textile industry, will face Don Merricks in the race to replace Hurt. The 16th House District covers parts of Pittsylvania and Henry counties and the city of Martinsville. Enditem