Heather Bell
Democrat candidate for state senate Laurie Buchwald got the nod from Governor Ralph Northam Monday.
Buchwald will face Travis Hackworth, a Republican from Tazewell County, in the March 23 special election to succeed the late Sen. Ben Chafin, who died Jan. 1 from COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the inequalities in our communities,” said Northam in his endorsement. “The inability to access broadband means too many students are being left behind in the classroom. Not being able to count on school lunches means more and more of our children are going hungry. And as the economy suffers and jobs are lost, too many families are worried about how they are going to keep the lights on. We need leadership to tackle these real, kitchen-table issues head-on and that’s why I’m endorsing Laurie Buchwald for the State Senate.”
Buchwald, who lives in Radford, is a nurse practitioner and a former Radford City Council member who served on the council from 2002-2010 before opting not to run for a third term. A residential and commercial builder, Hackworth won the Republican nomination for the seat after a primary that included six candidates.
Northam said he thinks Buchwald’s background in health care will be helpful in the General Assembly. “As a healthcare provider, Laurie understands the challenges we have before us but is uniquely equipped to help us solve them,” he said. “I’m confident in her ability to deliver for the people of Southwest Virginia and am looking forward to working with her in Richmond.”
