FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – There will be two candidates vying for the new 39th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Will Davis will be taking on Ron Jefferson in the Republican primary on Tuesday, June 20. 10 News took some time to give you a better understanding of who the candidates are and some of the policy changes they’re looking for.
Will Davis is a fourth-generation attorney who has spent the last 24 years practicing law at his family law firm. Raised in Franklin County, Davis never traveled far from his roots.
“I’m a lifelong resident of this district. My opponent I think has been here 10 months. I know the people of this district. I think I know them better, what they need and what they want,” Davis said.
Ron Jefferson grew up in Henry County but calls Franklin County home. Jefferson spent 43 years with Appalachian Power. The final 15 were he was lobbying for the energy company in Richmond.
“I think the thing that separates us the most is again the experience that I have with the general assembly,” Jefferson said.
Both Davis and Jefferson have very similar ideas on policy. Both are pro-life, advocate for the second amendment, want to see economic growth for the district, and more.
One of the policies Jefferson says he’s very focused on is affordable housing.
“We’ve got to take a look at the affordability issue. We need to bring the cost of living back down to be affordable to the people in this district,” Jefferson said.
One of Davis’ main priorities is getting more support for law enforcement.
“We need to take care of the people who protect us. We also need law enforcement officers in every school in the district…to protect our children,” Davis said.
Both candidates have gone around the newly drawn 39th district knocking on doors and campaigning. The 39th district now consists of the entire Franklin County area along with parts of Roanoke County.
The candidates plan to do even more campaigning at the polls on Tuesday.
“My integrity. I’m trustworthy. I will make the people in the 39th District proud,” Jefferson said.
“No one loves this district more than I do. I want to make it better than it is now for my children and grandchildren,” Davis said.
The winner of the Republican nomination will take on Gregory Maxwell who was announced as the Democratic candidate on Monday.
You can find results from this race as it is finalized here.