Outsider candidate enters primary for local House seat
With two days to go before the firehouse primary, a third candidate has entered the race for the Virginia House seat previously held by Mike Jones.
Greg Powers will enter the race alongside former Richmond City Council member Michelle Mosby and attorney Charlie Schmidt.
Graham Moomaw
Powers serves as the treasurer for the James River Soil and Water Conservation District, and is a Master Gardener and carpenter.
In an interview Friday morning, Powers emphasized that "my opinion hasn't been bought yet" by special interests.
He has made a website promoting his campaign and sharing his stances on the issues, as well as printing up signs he will display at the two polling sites.
Powers said he first took an interest in politics after getting involved with NORML, which advocates for the reform of marijuana laws.
"Seeing Virginia effectively legalize fake marijuana and abandon the local farming community in the process, it didn't sit well with me," he said. "So I began to learn how it works and try to be part of the solution rather than, you know, crying that it's unfair."
He added: "Virginia farmers need to be in a 51% position when compared to the out-of-state monopolies."
Powers has three children, and plans to bring them with him on Sunday to show them the campaigning process. He credited his wife with allowing him to explore the possibility of running, and his son with creating his website, acknowledging that he isn't the most tech-savvy candidate.
"I've worked my whole life with my hands," he said. "I can fix a car. I can fix a house. I can fix a sprinkler system or an HVAC system, but it gives me trouble to answer an email."
Contact Michael Phillips at mphillips@richmonder.org.
