GOP congressional hopefull tours 5th district

With Tuesday’s election in the history books, one Republican candidate for Congress in 2010 isn’t wasting time getting to know the 5th District.

Albemarle County Supervisor Ken Boyd visited Danville on Thursday afternoon to meet with city officials as part of his three-day, 16-stop kickoff tour of the district.

“We are letting people know we are very aware of this part of the district,” Boyd said. “This is just really the time to get out and meet people.”

Boyd is serving his second term on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors in a Democrat-leaning district after previously serving on the Albemarle County School Board. In his professional career, he developed computer systems for a number of banks before forming his own company, Boyd Financial Services, in 1991.

“I’ve been at the grassroots level of the political food chain by being on the Board of Supervisors,” Boyd said. “I’ve proven I can win in (the Charlottesville) part of the district — that’s something that (Republicans) need.”

Boyd, who attended Averett University and lived in Martinsville for five years in the 1970s, said his service as a Supervisor and experience in the financial industry have prepared him to decrease spending and balance budgets in Washington.

Boyd is one of seven declared challengers to Democrat Rep. Tom Perriello, including state Sen. Robert Hurt, R-Chatham. Hurt appears to be the GOP favorite according to party leaders, but Boyd said he wasn’t intimidated.

“I think we’ve heard some things out of Washington,” Boyd said, “but I don’t think this district likes to be told who their candidate ought to be. I’m not intimidated at all about who they want. I’d rather leave my fate in the hands of the constituents.”

The other five candidates who have announced their candidacy include Ron Ferrin of Campbell County, Michael McPadden of Albemarle County, Feda Kidd Morton of Fluvanna County and Laurence Verga of Albemarle County — as well as Bedford County resident Bradley Rees, who recently removed himself from the GOP ticket to run as a member of the Virginia Conservative Party