Del. Carrico to run for senate seat to be vacated by Wampler

Delegate Charles W. “Bill” Carrico, Sr. (R-Grayson), who has represented Southwest Virginia’s 5th District in the House of Delegates since 2002, today announced he would seek the Republican nomination for the Virginia Senate in the 40th District. Carrico made the announcement surrounded by his family at a news conference held at Abingdon’s Virginia Highlands Airport.

On Friday, June 3, Senator William C. Wampler, Jr. (R-Bristol), who has represented the 40th Senatorial District since 1988, announced his intention not to seek a seventh term.

“After much prayer and long conversations with Paula, my wife of 24 years, my 21-year-old son, Willie, my 11-year-old daughter, Emily, my mother and father, and my sister, all of whom are by my side today, I have decided to seek the Republican nomination for the 40th Senatorial District,” declared Carrico.

“As Delegate for the 5th District for the last 10 years, I have represented nearly half of the citizens of the 40th Senate District. I have worked closely with Senator Wampler on behalf of our region, and I am very familiar with the issues and challenges facing the people of Southwest.

“I grew up in Seven Mile Ford in Smyth County, which is just across the Washington County line. I was educated in the public school system, graduating from Chilhowie High School. I went on to attend Virginia Highlands Community College here in Abingdon. Before my service with the Virginia State Police, I worked as a draftsman at General Engineering in Abingdon. Then, I served with the State Police for 15 years. Today, my family and I live in Grayson County.

“I understand the challenges and issues facing the families of Southwest because my own family has lived them. Southwest has always been my home, and I have always stood up and fought for the people of our region. The most effective representatives are most like the people they are entrusted to serve. As demonstrated throughout my decades of public service, I am.

“My focus as your Senator will be to make sure that, from Lee County to Grayson County and all parts in between, Southwest Virginia will have the tools and ability to sustain a strong economy through the creation of jobs that so many in our region desperately need.

“I have been and will continue to be a strong supporter of the continued production of coal and will fight any federal or state regulation that, like Cap and Trade, tries to take away the viability of our coal producing regions.

“I will continue to fight to keep our education system one of the best in the nation to educate our children and to give them the same quality education as they could get anywhere in the state.

“I will continue the fight to address our transportation needs here in Southwest, because good roads are essential to safe travel and are integral the infrastructure needed to create the jobs for the future of our children.

“I will fight against undue tax increases that take money out of the pockets of our families, who are struggling to make ends meet because government isn’t willing to be good stewards of your tax dollars.

“Last, but most important, I will continue to fight for what our forefathers fought as they began this great nation:

· That our rights as citizens should never be trampled upon by the government or the courts;

· That each state within their boundaries should have the right to govern without the federal government’s interference; and

· That the Constitution is the ultimate document by which our elected leaders must govern.


“By continuing to adhere to fiscally responsible policies, and to respect that freedom is essential to economic prosperity, Virginia has been setting an example. It remains our hope that the federal government will catch on, abandoning policies that take us in a direction toward socialism with bail outs and out of control spending.

“It is a simple fact that if government can’t live within its means, how can we expect the American dream to flourish?

“I defended the Constitution as a Virginia State Trooper. I have protected the Constitution as a Delegate. I will live by the Constitution as a Senator.

“I am a leader and a fighter. I am not afraid to challenge the ACLU, the EPA, nor the Obama Administration when they tread on the rights and freedoms of the people. I believe the government should be responsible to the people, not the people responsible to the government.

“Let me conclude by thanking Senator William Wampler and his family for all their years of service to the people of Southwest and the Commonwealth. My family and all those who serve know the sacrifices that are made in public office. Although I cannot truly replace him, I have learned much from the many good traits and outstanding example set by Senator Wampler. His counsel and advice to me as a mentor will help me to serve the people of the 40th district well.

“Thank you for being here, and God Bless.”

Elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001, Delegate Charles W. “Bill” Carrico, Sr. (R-Grayson), 49, represents the 5th District, which is currently comprised of the City of Galax and Grayson County, and portions of Carroll, Smyth, and Wythe Counties.

Under the redistricting plan approved by the General Assembly in late April, the 40th Senatorial District is comprised of the City of Bristol and Grayson, Lee, Scott, and Washington Counties, and portions of Smyth, Wise, and Wythe Counties.