Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Democrat Carter Turner announces decision to challenge Del. Morgan Griffith
Carter Turner, a Radford University professor, had a role in the fight against an asphalt plant.
JARED SOARES The Roanoke Times
Radford University assistant professor Carter Turner hugs his daughter, Callaway, after announcing Monday on the steps of the Roanoke County Courthouse that he will replace Ginny Weisz as the Democratic candidate for the 8th House District. He will challenge incumbent Del. Morgan Griffith.
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roanoke.com/politics
With 99 days till the November election, a new Democrat has entered the race for the 8th District seat in the House of Delegates.
He is a political newcomer named Carter Turner, a Glenvar resident and Radford University assistant professor with the kind of Salem pedigree that one local Democrat termed "instant appeal."
Turner formally announced his candidacy outside the Roanoke County Courthouse on Monday, calling for "solution-oriented politics" and bipartisanship in Richmond. And he recounted his involvement in the recent effort to block an asphalt plant that had designs on Glenvar.
"It is in the spirit of this community effort that I stand before you today," he said, calling it a model of cooperation, hard work and nonpartisan leadership.
Turner also sketched out his priorities, focusing on the economy, education and transportation -- in that order, he added later.
For boosting the local job market, he pointed to tax incentives for business and an expansion of rural broadband services and the Governor's Opportunity Fund.
He also said he would make a "common-sense" evaluation of the Standards of Learning curriculum. As for transportation, he mentioned a long-term goal was passenger rail.
Turner will take on the incumbent, Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, the House majority leader who has held the seat since 1994. The district includes Salem and part of Roanoke County.
Turner's midday announcement may have been tinged with deja vu. The courthouse was the same venue where another Roanoke County Democrat and Radford University assistant professor, Ginny Weisz, announced her 8th District candidacy last month. Weisz withdrew from the race last week, citing the need to focus on other priorities.
Turner appeared to have more robust support from a line of local Democrats, including state Sen. John Edwards, Roanoke City Councilman Rupert Cutler and several Roanoke County elected officials.
Rumors that Turner might replace Weisz on the ballot had begun to circulate by the end of last week, although the party remained silent on its new candidate.
When asked about why he did not declare for the seat from the start, Turner said he was still absorbed with the asphalt issue.
"You wish you'd started a year ago," Cabell Brand said, of running a candidate against Griffith. The prominent Democrat liked the party pick of Turner -- a "Salem boy" since the age of 7. Turner also played on the Salem High School football team his senior year, alongside the Salem mayor, Randy Foley.
Turner was slated to become the official candidate tonight, when the Democrats hold a nominating caucus. State election law allows political parties to replace candidates on the ballot.
Turner, 39, is an assistant professor in Radford's department of philosophy and religious studies. He and his wife, Karen, have one daughter, who attends Glenvar Elementary School.
After a round of interviews Monday, Turner headed across the street to Mac & Bob's restaurant, although he already had some afternoon campaigning in mind.
"I'm going to have lunch," he said, then after a quick change of clothes, "I'm going to start knocking on doors."
A couple of blocks away, Griffith could be found in his Main Street office. Though the ballot may have changed, his plans have not.
"You just work hard, state your views and go from there," Griffith said. He also rejected the day's charge of partisanship in Richmond, saying, "I work across party lines."
And did the house majority leader still hit the pavement? "Of course. Ask any of my opponents," he said with a wink.
