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Floyd County Sheriff Shannon Zeman and Bruce Turner, deputy, talk with Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell before the political event begins.

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Attorney General gives support to GOP candidates seeking seats in legislature

By Wanda Combs
Editor

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell came to Floyd last week to lend his support to two Republican candidates running in the November state election.
The Attorney General was greeted Thursday afternoon by local party officials and constitutional officers before speaking on the courthouse steps in favor of Jeff Evans, who is seeking a senate seat, and Charles Poindexter, who is hoping to fill the Ninth District House of Delegates’ seat. He described both candidates as “men of principle” and “great supporters of law enforcement.” He said Evans, as a Viet Nam veteran, former state trooper, and family man has “a strong investment in the future.” Poindexter, he told the group, is an entrepreneur who understands the technology industry and has studied the issues.
Attorney General McDonnell said his top issues as the top law enforcer in Virginia involve taking on illegal drug distribution and making the internet safe for children and women. He said there has been “a whole new explosion” in internet crime, and that working on tough sentencing guidelines for child predators and those involved in child pornography are priorities. The Attorney General reminded listeners that he is working on the war on drugs and noted that 50-60 percent of crimes in Virginia are directly related to narcotics abuse and distribution.
The Attorney General said it is also important to put in place “good, sound immigration policies.” He added that it is the illegal immigrants that commit crimes – “people that do not want to share in the American dream” – that are of concern.
Evans continued the discussion on illegal immigrants. “There are things in illegal immigration we can do.” He said the blame is put on the federal government, but “we need to pick up where they left off….A country that does not enforce its borders is out of control.”
The candidate added he has seen the problems that face small business, “the backbone of Virginia.” He told those gathered that citizens have the answers and legislations should be listening to them. If raising taxes was the solution, he commented, the state should be in the “best shape.” Rather, he said, the answer is in “being careful in spending taxpayer dollars….We need to cut out waste.”
Poindexter said he was looking forward to being on the team with the Attorney General and local law enforcement. He added he was appreciative of the things Attorney General McDonnell has accomplished. Among his priorities, Poindexter said, would be to continue work on the rising problem of identity theft. With his technology background, he would also work to diversify the economy in that area.
Poindexter remarked that the state needs to take whatever action is needed to deal with the problem of illegal immigration.
Also given an opportunity to speak Thursday was a local party hopeful, Eric Branscom who is seeking the Floyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s job. Branscom said he promised to be aggressive in the prosecution of crimes and to assist the sheriff’s office. He said he would be a “hands-on type of prosecutor” that would go to crime scenes and get feedback from police officers. “They’re the ones on the front line.”