Candidates for Democratic Nomination
Candidate Selection Process
The Democratic Committee will hold a mass meeting to choose nominees for local seats in the November election on May 2 at 7:00PM in the Pulaski County Circuit Court Room. The mass meeting is open to all registered voters in Pulaski county. Participants will be required to sign an affirmation that they do not intend to support any candidate who is opposed to a Democratic nominee in the next ensuing election.
For House of Delegates Nominees The 12th District and 7th District Democratic Nominating Committees will hold a mass meeting, also known as an assembled caucus, on May 11, 2019 at 10 a.m. at the Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg, for the purpose of nominating Democratic candidates for the 2019 General Election for the 12th District and 7th District House of Delegates.
The Candidates
Board of Supervisors
Fritz Streff(Draper)
Fredrick (Fritz) Streff is running for the seat of Pulaski County Supervisor representing the Draper District. Fritz is the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Research at New River Community College. Fritz received his Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational psychology from Virginia Tech in 1986, after which he worked as a faculty member at The University of Michigan for 17 years helping local and county government, the state legislature, secretary of state and governor’s office develop and evaluate transportation policy and organizational effectiveness. During this time he also sat on a number of state and national policy advisory boards. After the birth of his daughter, his deep appreciation for living in a connected community with shared values led him back to the family farm in Draper in 2004. His desire to help the community guided him to a position in the community college system and NRCC.
Dr. Streff has served on the Pulaski County Public Service Authority board since 2013 and the Pulaski County Planning Commission since 2015. In addition, Fritz serves on the policy board of the NRV Metropolitan Planning Organization and the NRV Regional Commission’s Transportation Technical Advisory Committee. Fritz wants to bring his experience in working across traditional boundaries to the Board of Supervisors to identify and solve the challenges the county faces today and in the future. His focus will be listening to the people in the community and incorporating their valuable breadth of knowledge, experiences and values in working with county, regional, state and private-sector representatives to find places of agreement to move policy and the county forward.
Ronnie Coake(Draper)
My purpose in seeking a seat on the Pulaski County Board of supervisors is to use the information I have acquired in the past 48 years in the various work with Economic Development, Planning Commissions, Public Service Authority, Sewerage Authority, Chamber of Commerce, the Towns of Dublin, Pulaski, and the various communities throughout Pulaski County is to help Pulaski County make a successful future.. The Draper District is one of the most important districts in Pulaski County. There are 5 Intestate Interchanges in Pulaski County and 4 are in the Draper District. These Interchanges are the first impression visitors have of Pulaski County, I was involved in getting sewer to two of these Interchanges. The future of the remaining Interchanges needs planning to determine how they may or may not be developed. Development of the interchanges has the advantage of additional revenue but this development also comes with negatives such as additional traffic, noise and pollution.
Pulaski County has Claytor Lake which is one resource that is unique to southwest Virginia. It seems that this resource is not being promoted as a tourist attraction with additional events, conference centers and the associated support businesses.
Jeff Worrell(Robinson)
I am today announcing my candidacy for the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors, Robinson District.
Pulaski is my home. Always has been. I love this community. I was born here, grew up here, and have always worked here. Never lived anywhere else, never wanted to. These are my family, my neighbors, and my loved ones, the people I wish to serve.
Over the past twenty years I have served on a number boards, committees, and authorities. For ten years I served on the Pulaski Town Council. For eight years I was the Mayor of the Town of Pulaski, and what a time it was! Following the heartbreaking fire that destroyed our historic train station and museum, and the devastating tornadoes of 2011, the resilient people of this community picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and we rebuilt this community, better than before. We then embarked on a period of robust revitalization that continues to gain momentum. Calfee Park, Jackson Park Inn, Al’s On First, and the Raymond F. Ratcliffe Museum is second to none. Pulaski County is in a great position right now. We have new schools. We have the infrastructure. We have unmatched scenic beauty. The future is very bright! We will need string, effective, experienced leadership. I can provide that leadership. I’ve done it before, I’ll do it again.
A word about my opponent, I will be running against Charles R. Bopp, current Supervisor for Robinson District. Charlie and Cathy Bopp are good friends of mine and that is not going to change. Charlie has certainly done his part in serving the citizens of the Robinson District and I wish him well.
Consititutional Offices
The 4 constitutional positions are all currently held by Democrats, who are not being challenged:
- Sheriff (Mike Worrell [D] incumbent)
- Commonwealth’s Attorney (Mike Fleenor [D] incumbent)
- Treasurer (Melinda Worrell [D] incumbent)
- Commissioner of Revenue (Donna Gray [D] Incumbent)
House of Delegates
Todd Fearer (7th District)
Todd Fearer is a Wildlife Scientist and an Adjunct Faculty member at Virginia Tech, where he earned his PhD. In his work at the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture, Todd coordinates efforts between private landowners, the federal government, and everyone in between to protect our water, air, and wildlife while keeping working lands working, and he wants to bring that collaborative mindset to Richmond. Learn more at fearerfordelegate.com.
Chris Hurst (12th District)
You may know me as the former evening anchor of WDBJ7 Roanoke. Through that job, I traveled the region, talking to, and learning from you. I heard about and reported on the issues that impact your pocketbooks and your family. Now I want to do more. I believe the people of Southwest Virginia need a strong voice in Richmond. Someone who will advocate for our education system, expand access to healthcare, increase economic opportunity, and protect our natural resources. More info at www.hurst4delegate.com/.