Botetourt Supervisor Terry Austin wins 19th House District Firehouse Primary

Botetourt Supervisor Terry Austin won Tuesday's Republican Firehouse Primary for the seat being vacated by Delegate Lacey Putney who is retiring.

The Roanoke Times reported on the count:

Austin won 787 votes in all. Bedford County businessman Jim McKelvey won 576 votes. Zach Martin, a Bedford County businessman who was running for office for the first time, won 356 votes, and Eagle Rock pastor Zachary Hatcher won 51.

With a campaign that hit the ground running and had the support of most Botetourt Constitutional elected officials and others, Austin -- who has been on the board of supervisors for 16 years -- ran a positive, results-driven campaign even in the face of negative tea party opposition and multiple opponents. While the tea party slammed him as a tax hiker, voters saw him as a local leader who had consistently looked out for what was best for the citizens he was representing.

Strong thunderstorms crossed the area throughout the 6-9:00 pm voting period but turnout was extremely heavy:

About 65 people were lined up waiting to vote when the polls opened at the Thaxton Community Center, one of the three polling places for tonight’s vote. By 7:30 p.m., 291 people had voted. A total of 281 people had voted at the center by the time polls closed.

Austin had someone else in mind for the delegate position when Putney announced his retirement but, when that candidate decided not to run and no one else could be found on such short notice, he stepped in to run and offer another choice for voters who have grown weary of polarizing, negative politics.  Austin is a businessman whose company installs airport landing lights.

When talking with the Roanoke Times, Austin was happy with his win:

"This is wonderful," Austin said, as he was congratulated outside Lord Botetourt High School among a small crowd of supporters. "I never expected this kind of turnout under these weather conditions and everything. It's just magnificent."

Austin attributed his win to more than a decade and a half on the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors and the "good friends" who supported his campaign.

"I've been on the board 16 years and, you know, tried to represent this county well," he said. "I think it's a reflection of that. I've got the trust and confidence of the people of Botetourt and I'm proud to say that."

Austin will run against the Democratic opponent in November.

UPDATE 5/8/13: Speaker of the House Bill Howell congratulates Terry Austin on his win.

PBS lists Virginia State Capitol as #1 of top 10 buildings that changed America

We're number one. We're number one. We're #1!

The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates had reason to be proud today as he announced that the Virginia State Capitol has been chosen by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) at the top of 10 influential buildings that changed America in the way we live, work, and play. Of course, we Virginians already knew that the architecturally appealing, historic capitol building that echoes with the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Madison, and James Monroe played a big part in the birth of America.

Speaker Howell said it best:

"Virginia's beautiful and historic State Capitol is a source of true pride for all Virginians. The Capitol is an architectural masterpiece, historical treasure and monument to Democracy. Its design has inspired numerous other capitol buildings, including the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. Its history and traditions are rivaled by few other single buildings in America. It is the foundation for modern Democracy and an enduring sign of the strength of our Commonwealth and our nation."

The one-hour show will air next Sunday, May 12, at 10 p.m. EST.

Virginia actually ended up with two buildings in the Top 10 list with the inclusion of Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.

The list of the Top 10 buildings that changed America:

1. Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia
2. Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts
3. Wainwright Building, St. Louis, Missouri
4. Robie House, Chicago, Illinois
5. Highland Park Ford Plant, Highland Park, Michigan
6. Southdale Center, Edina, Minnesota
7. Seagram Building, New York City
8. Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia
9. Vana Venturi House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California

The program is hosted by Geoffrey Baer, an Emmy Award-winning producer and program host, best known for his popular feature-length specials about Chicago architecture and history.  The program is written and produced by Dan Protess, who has been creating critically-acclaimed television programs for WTTW in Chicago for more than a decade.

Speaker Boehner: "Give government back to the American people"

Video: Speaker of the House John Boehner ... "Give the government back to the American people." Wednesday, January 5, 2010.