The smell of home-cooked barbecue and conversation among friends wafted around the covered pavilion Wednesday as several residents from Campbell and Appomattox counties waited to hear what a Democratic candidate for Virginia’s lieutenant governor had to say.
Michael Signer stopped at the Lyn-Dan Heights Ruritan Club as part of an across-the-state tour to garner support in the last few days before the primary. The candidate is making stops in Wise, Bristol, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Danville, Martinsville, Alexandria and other cities.
“We are in the closing, the final arguments in the campaign for lieutenant governor,” Signer said. “We are out meeting voters throughout the state.”
After a generous helping of the home cooking, Signer talked to the almost two dozen in attendance about what he thinks the role of lieutenant governor should be.
Carter Elliott, co-chair of the Campbell County Democratic Committee, said he has been planning the barbecue since Saturday. He commended Signer for visiting during the final leg of the race and encouraged supporters to grab campaign signs for their yards.
The 36-year-old national security expert from Arlington County said the position should be an advocate for Virginians, rather than simply the person who presides over the state Senate and breaks ties.
He’s running against Jody Wagner for the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary. The winner will face Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.
“We still have a few days left,” Signer said. “This is still evolving.”
Signer, who helped lead Rep. Tom Perriello’s successful campaign against incumbent Virgil Goode in the 5th District in November, said his platform is to bring jobs back to rural Virginia.
“I’ve always felt that any candidate worth his salt will answer two questions well — why are you running and what will you do?” he said. “I am running because I believe in activism. … I believe that of those blessed with education, opportunities and resources, much is expected and demanded.”
Signer said his main goal is to create jobs throughout the state, and said his plans could create some 50,000 jobs by 2011.
He also wants to help Virginia homes become more energy efficient through weatherization with a goal of saving some 20 percent of energy consumption per person in the state by 2025.
He’s served as a deputy counselor for Mark Warner and senior strategist for Perriello during his campaign against Goode last fall.
“When I look at Bill Bolling, if I squint he looks like Virgil Goode,” Signer said. “He’s vulnerable for many of the same reasons. … We have better ideas. All of the votes they think they can take for granted are ours. I will fight with a smile on my face and a fire in my belly.”
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