FINCASTLE – Delegate Lacey Putney announced today that he intends to seek re-election to another two-year term in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the new 19th House District. Under the new redistricting plan, the 19th House District consists of the cities of Bedford and Covington, all of Alleghany County, parts of Bedford County and all but one precinct in Botetourt County.
Putney is an Independent.
In making his decision to seek another term, Putney said, “Since the passage of the new redistricting plan on April 29, I have had opportunities to meet and talk with citizens in the new Covington and Alleghany areas, as well as having attended community events in the Bedford and Botetourt areas, and I have been asked and encouraged by Democrats, Republicans and Independents to seek re-election to another two-year term.
“My knowledge of the needs and concerns of my constituents acquired over the past 49-plus years will enable me to continue to provide the quality of leadership and representation they have come to expect and deserve. My experience, seniority and positions of leadership on major committees are second to no one in the 100-member House of Delegates. My committee assignments are Rules, Privileges and Elections and Appropriations, which is the legislature’s budget-writing panel, of which I am chairman.
“In addition to budgetary and fiscal challenges, the 2012 session of the General Assembly will also be faced with far-reaching proposals in the areas of education, law enforcement, public safety and transportation. Specifically, there will be proposals to change the school distribution formula, as well as the formula for the distribution of transportation funds, both of which would benefit urban areas of the state to the detriment of rural areas such as the 19th District. I will use my years of seniority and strong committee assignments in fighting to protect our district from these sweeping changes.
“As always, I will continue to follow a common-sense, conservative approach to state government, sound fiscal policies, and legislation that focuses on sound family values.”
Putney is expected to have opposition from the Republican Party. Jerry Johnson of Buchanan announced earlier last month he is seeking the GOP nomination to run for the seat.
