Del. Bill Carrico has a challenger for his 5th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Susie Dixon Garner, a Galax native and longtime city business owner, announced Friday that she will seek the Democratic nomination for the seat. Speaking at the Crossroads Institute, Galax's rural entrepreneurial and educational center, Garner told a group of about 50 people that the region is at "a critical point."

"We have experienced difficult economic times as our communities transition into the 21st century," Garner said. "We have seen plant closings make deep cuts in the already limited number of jobs that we have. Many of these jobs have gone to other areas and, indeed, other countries. Despite this distressing news, I see our current situation as an opportunity to shape our future."

Calling economic development a "necessity" to her area's woes, the 56-year-old Garner identified needs such as infrastructure and transportation improvements, educational opportunities, broadband interconnectivity and tax incentives to jump-start development. She also pointed to the need to preserve and enhance natural resources in the area, making it a tourist destination.

Shawn Becker, chairman of the Grayson County Democratic Party, said Garner is the only candidate to announce thus far.

"I don't know of any other person considering right now," he said, noting that the party's official nominee will be selected in May.

Carrico, R-Grayson County, ran unopposed in 2005, winning with more than 96 percent of the vote. The 45-year-old retired state trooper was first elected to the House in 2001. Last year, he challenged Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, in the U.S. congressional race but lost with barely 30 percent of the vote.

Garner, a certified public accountant who was appointed to the Galax School Board and served for 12 years, has never run for elected office. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Atlanta's Emory University and a master's from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She and her husband, John, both work at the Susie Dixon Garner & Co. accounting firm and have two grown children.