Incumbent Will Morefield faces a challenge for the Republican nomination for Third District House of Delegates.
Morefield announced March 18 that he is seeking a fifth term representing Tazewell, Buchanan and Bland Counties and a small portion of Russell County. Third District Chairman Marcy Hernick said Robert “Bob’ Altizer, an attorney from Tazewell had also filed for the nomination by the filing deadline of March 27 at five p.m.
She said the Republicans will gather in Tazewell April 29 for a mass meeting to choose between the two men for the nomination. Morefield said he is seeking another term to continue the work he has started.
“My wife and I decided that I must continue the work we have started. Our baby girl was born just a few weeks ago and I refuse to see her grow up in a region with few opportunities to succeed. I have worked hard to bring back commonsense in government. I would like the opportunity to continue making a difference for our region and continue serving the people who built this country, the men and women of Southwest Virginia,’ he said.
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Morefield has received endorsements from Bill Howell, the retiring speaker of the house and Kirk Cox, the incoming speaker, and Majority Leader Todd Gilbert. He is also supported by the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance.
"Will is a key senior member of the Virginia House of Delegates and has been appointed to several important boards and commissions. These include the Virginia Tobacco Commission and the Southern States Energy Board. He works extremely hard for the 3rd Legislative District and Southwest Virginia. I have enjoyed serving with Will and I strongly support him for re-election. I look forward to working with him next year when I begin my term as the new Speaker of the House,’ Cox said.
Altizer, a lifelong resident of Tazewell County is making his first foray into politics. He is a partner in the law firm of Gillespie, Hart, Altizer & Whitesell, P.C. in Tazewell.
He touted his experience as a small business owner and his family’s ties to the coal business and the fact he is a native as his strong suits in seeking the office.
“I was born and raised here. This is my home. I’ve done everything I’ve set out to do in my
professional career and now it is time to give back to the people that have done so much for
my family and me. I have no ambition for higher political office, no ego to please. I just want
to dedicate my time towards making my community better for my children and
grandchildren. Most importantly, I aim to make our community a place where those who
were born and raised here, stay here - just like I did,” Altizer said.
“I’m a small business owner - I have a law firm that employs a dozen people. I’ve met a
payroll and balanced a budget. I’ll bring that knowledge with me to Richmond. While in
Richmond I’ll focus on creative ways to bring jobs back to SWVA and increase economic
development. I’m also going to work to ensure our schools are adequately funded so that
our children do not receive a second rate education just because we don’t have as much
funding as Northern Virginia.
“My family has been involved in the coal industry for a number of years, including my uncle
Emory Altizer who worked in the mines until the age of 93. I know the importance ofstanding up for the coal industry and the jobs that depend on it,’ he said.