Although James Edmunds is now running unopposed, SouthsideCentral feels that he’s deserving of our support for this election.
When Clarke Hogan surprised everybody by announcing that he would not run for re-election, rumors flew on who would run for the now-open seat. Hogan had quickly moved up the political ladder in the House and had became an influential Delegate. Edmunds was the first person to declare his candidacy and locked in the Republican nomination. Dave Guill became the only Democratic candidate to declare but withdrew from the race leaving Edmunds unopposed.
James Edmunds is currently serving on the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and is a noted outdoorsman. Edmunds led the fight to save and re-organize the Halifax County Fair. He also donated 100 acres of his family’s land to the county to give the county the first park.
Edmunds seems like the type of person who will represent the 60th District in the same spirit as Clarke Hogan did and it will be interesting to see if he can match Hogan’s rise through the political ranks. While we question one of Edmunds’ initiatives that he’s been promoting in Halifax County (land use taxation), and think he’s totally wrong in his complete opposition to uranium mining “even if the government said it was safe” (from his website’s position paper), neither of those issues are a litmus test for our support.
We feel that James Edmunds will be a good representative for the 60th District and strongly encourage our 60th District readers to give him a courtesy vote in the November 3rd election.
I don’t know Halifax County politics that much. What is this land use taxation initiative you speak of? Thanks.
NotAndy, The Ag/Forestry district proposal changed the land use and taxes for qualifying land owners in Halifax County. It prohibits land from being developed for residential or any use outside of agriculture or forestry. It had wide support from the Board of Stupidvisors, and strong support from Halifax’s agriculture community. Who knows if it is a good thing or not, but we will find out in years to come.
My problem with it isn’t so much the code changes, but the fact that Edmunds voted on the changes. He and his family likely own more acres of Halifax County than any other and stand to save a lot of money because of this tax change. For that reason he should’ve refused to vote on something that could vastly affect his bottom line.
For that reason I will not vote for him and will be writing in my own name. Of course it doesn’t matter because he is unopposed and will win if no one shows up to vote for him.
Bruce, this endorsement garners your first real FAIL.
490 articles and only one FAIL from you. I can live with that. 😉
Not only did it prohibit development, but it gives really large tax incentives and tax benefits to large land owners who keep their lands Ag. Including Mr. Edmunds.
Well, if others knew your full name Mr. AndyR, you might get more votes than you think!
Bruce, we both knew it had to happen at some point. LOL
Laughter, my name isn’t hard to figure out. If you read at halifaxtalk.com at all you’ll know it right away.
James Edmunds is a good man. I am proud he is going to speak for southside Va in the House of Delegates. We need someone who knows what it is like to run a business that is not tax funded.James is a life member of the NRA,NWTF and got the endorsement of the Va hunting dog alliance so i know he will protect our way of life.
Will, you had no problem with Edmunds voting on a resolution that essentially takes money out of the treasury and puts it in his pocket?
I have no problem with James Edmunds helping family farms stay family farms. If it was a vote as you say to JUST put money in his pocket yes I would have a problem with it, but this is not the case he was helping local farmers.I know James Edmunds and I would trust him with the very last dollar i had to my name.
Will, that may be exactly what happens when he gets to Richmond.
I for one feel alot better with my money in James Edmunds hands than i do with Obama thats for damn sure.