Rex McCarty Announces Candidacy for the House of Delegates in the 1st Legislative District

Rex McCarty of Gate City, Virginia announced his candidacy for the House of Delegates during a swing tour through all four counties represented by the 1st Legislative District on Wednesday, June 1, 2005.

The campaign officially kicked off at a rally with supporters at the Lee County Courthouse in Jonesville at 10:00 a.m. The campaign tour also included stops at the Federal Courthouse in Big Stone Gap at 11:30 a.m., the Scott County Courthouse at 1:30 p.m., and Valley Institute Elementary School in Bristol at 3:30 p.m.

McCarty received the endorsements of State Senator Phillip Puckett and Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine, along with a host of elected officials in the counties of Scott, Wise, Lee, and Washington.

Rex McCarty is a local businessman, realtor, and appraiser, and operator of The Homeplace Mountain Farm and Museum on Wadlow Gap Road in Weber City. He recently retired from the Scott County Virginia Star in Gate City, Virginia.

McCarty discussed his intentions of uniting people to achieve true economic and educational advancements for the people of the region. He then outlined his plans to reform vocational education by aligning programs at Mountain Empire Community College to transition students seeking state licensure or further education. Furthermore, McCarty stated he would seek to create an environment of opportunity by connecting small business to the resources already available but not recognizable.

McCarty stressed the need to prepare the region for the new economy, emphasizing that educators, economic developers, government and business leaders must work together to focus on opportunities. He also highlighted his experiences with heritage and natural tourism, and the need as a region to foster their development so these venues can reach their full economic potential.

Finally, McCarty stressed the need for election reform to ensure legitimate and unquestionable election results.

The candidate greeted supporters later that evening during the opening of the Campaign Headquarters at 111 Jackson Street in Gate City, Virginia.

McCarty will seek the Democratic nomination for the First Legislative District on Saturday, June 4, 2005 when the caucus is held at Duffield Primary School.