My name is Francis Edwards and I’m running to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates for the 99th District. The 99th District covers all of Virginia’s Northern Neck, the northernmost peninsula on Virginia’s eastern border, as well as portions of Caroline County.
As I campaign to be the Delegate for the 99th District, I’ve had the chance to speak with people throughout the Northern Neck about what matters to them. I’ve learned what keeps them up at night, frightened about what the future holds.
The most common worries I hear from residents of the 99th are about the economy. People are worried about jobs. They’re worried about earning enough money to start a family. They wonder if their sons and daughters can afford to live with stagnant wages. They fear paying astronomically high student loans with abysmally low incomes. And they’re worried that the surrounding regions will get the best jobs, leaving the Northern Neck with jobs that don’t pay enough to hard working residents, who can’t afford to make a decent living here and can’t afford to leave.
As a businessman, I can tell you that we are not building an economically-sound region. I’ve spent decades in business, creating 2,400 jobs as CEO of an international business. And I can tell you from personal experience, both as a CEO and as a resident of the Northern Neck, that there aren’t enough high-paying jobs for the residents here. Not enough to keep our best and brightest students and turn them into our best and brightest workers. Not enough to provide young people with the money they need to start a family, let alone to raise that family. The lack of high-paying jobs means a lack of opportunity.
How do we create more opportunities for our future? We make our region more appealing to businesses looking for a place to settle down. We show the world the best parts of the Northern Neck, such as the unique combination of close proximity to Richmond and Washington D.C. mixed with an unbeatable natural beauty. We recognize which industries will dominate the future with high-paying jobs and sustainable growth, such as renewable energies. We support infrastructure creation that attracts new industries. We ensure that our education provides the best job opportunities throughout the entire Northern Neck. That is how we adequately prepare for the future to give our children the best future possible.
This election isn’t just a choice between two candidates, but between two futures. I’m asking for your vote because my vision acknowledges the harsh realities of the present but provides a promise for a better future. I understand that there are many people hurting throughout our region, because I’ve heard you list all the struggles you and your family go through on a daily basis. Our current reality is that there’s not enough in the Northern Neck. There aren’t enough jobs for our residents. There aren’t enough elected officials in Richmond paying attention to what we need. There aren’t enough people leading the Northern Neck with a vision for a better future. With your vote, I can ensure that businesses recognize what our community can provide them.
To donate to my grassroots campaign focused on the people of the Northern Neck, go to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fnekos