Radford Professor Carter Turner announced his candidacy for the Virginia House of Delegates 8th District seat at the Roanoke County Courthouse in Salem Monday. Turner was introduced by Ginny Weisz, a Radford nursing professor who recently withdrew her candidacy, citing pressing concerns elsewhere. Under state election law, the Democrats could nominate another qualified candidate to take her place.
Like his Republican opponent, incumbent Morgan Griffith, Turner has deep ties to the Salem community and was recently involved in the effort to block an asphalt plant from being built within 500 feet of a school in Glenvar. The 8th District includes all 10 Salem precincts and 20 Roanoke County precincts. (Turner was formally nominated at a Democratic caucus Tuesday night.)
Turner was born in Culpeper and moved to Salem with his family at age seven. He graduated in 1987 from Salem High School, where he was a member of the 1986 Regional Championship football team and co-captain of the tennis team.
After graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in History, he earned an M.A. from the Iliff School of Theology and a Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies from the University of Denver. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Radford University. An avid sports photographer, Carter is a regular contributor to the Salem Times Register.
Turner states on his website: “the best solutions to problems are achieved when people on opposing sides of issues are willing to work together for the common good. When leaders take positions based upon partisanship rather than principles, they leave their constituents behind.”
Turner cited Griffith’s efforts in helping to turn away $125 million in federal stimulus money and said if elected he would “support a second effort to release the stimulus money, putting common sense leadership above petty politics.”
Griffith is also the House of Delegates majority leader, and an attorney by trade.
Approximately 60 supporters turned out for Turner’s announcement, including Weisz, Cabell Brand, State Senator John Edwards, Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt, Clerk Steve McGraw, Cave Spring Supervisor Charlotte Moore, Roanoke City Councilman Rupert Cutler and Roanoke County Democratic Supervisor candidates Sarah Goodman, Patrick Patterson and Charlene Waybright.
By Gene Marrano [email protected]
