This evening at 6:21, Tom Garrett, Jr.’s father and my good friend, Thomas A. (Tom) Garrett, Sr., passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville. Tom Sr, was with us until the end.

If I had to use only one word to describe Tom, it would be character. Tom had the kind of character that we oldtime Virginians expect in people. He was honest, straight-forward and, if Tom was your friend, he was the kind of friend you could always count on. I was fortunate beyond words to call Tom Garrett Sr. my friend. When he was first diagnosed, my prayer was that he would get to see his son elected to the Virginia Senate. That he and Lois were with us in Farmville to revel in the election night news was special to say the very least.

Godspeed, Tom, and may Almighty God welcome you into His kingdom, reveal Himself to your family, and show them His love and mercy.

- George Goodwin

By Anita Kumar

Voters have until Saturday to apply and vote absentee in-person for Tuesday’s local and state elections.

General registrar offices will be open on Saturday, but voters are being urged to check with their local registrar for the exact hours of operation.

In Virginia, in order to vote by absentee, a voter is required to complete an application listing a qualifying reason. Reasons include a voter is a student outside their locality, and a primary care giver for a family member confined at home or in jail. A complete list can be found here.

The deadline to apply to vote absentee by mail has passed.

Questions about voting absentee, locations, districts or voter registration status should be directed to the State Board of Elections at www.sbe.virginia.gov or 804-864-8901

If you, your friend or your neighbors are unable to get to the polls on Tuesday to support Tom, make sure you go in person to your local registrar’s office to vote absentee by Saturday at the latest.

From the endorsement:

“Dear Mr. Garrett:

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association, Inc. is proud to inform you of its endorsement of your candidacy.

 

We will ask our members, their friends and families, and all citizens who respect the strong and efficient enforcement of our laws to cast their ballots in the upcoming election in your favor.

The Virginia Police Benevolent Association recognizes Tom’s dedication to the rule of law, protecting our children and public safety.

By: RAY REED
Published: October 20, 2011

Gov. Bob McDonnell came to Lynchburg on Thursday to encourage loyal Republicans to write more checks for state Senate candidate Tom Garrett in his race against Democrat Bert Dodson for the new 22nd District seat.

“I need some help next year” in the General Assembly, McDonnell said, referring to the Republican Party’s plan to win a majority in the Senate and carry out his full agenda.

“There are a number of things that we still need to get done, and it will be a heck of a lot easier to get it done if Tom Garrett is in there,” McDonnell told about 110 supporters at an Oakwood Country Club breakfast.

Lynchburg was McDonnell’s first stop on a day of fundraising events for candidates in Franklin County, Roanoke and Southwest Virginia.  He stayed after his remarks and talked with audience members for about half an hour.

McDonnell listed several items on his legislative agenda for 2012, including:

Cutting spending, killing unfunded mandates that crunch local governments, making the Virginia Retirement System solvent, “doing some additional work on transportation,” and “truly reforming our K-12 education system so we can have results and have choice and have accountability,” the governor said.

“A lot is at stake right now,” McDonnell told the crowd. “We have got a unique opportunity. There have only been two years since the Civil War that we’ve had a Republican governor and a Republican legislature,” in 2000-01.

“I say it’s about time to do that again, don’t you?” McDonnell said, drawing applause.

McDonnell said he and the Republican Party leadership have invested $200,000 in Garrett’s campaign, and they plan to spend more on Garrett in the final 17 days before the Nov. 8 election.

Garrett was among the top five Senate candidates receiving financial help from the Republican Party, according to campaign finance reports through September. The data was reported by the Virginia Public Access Project, a nonpartisan tracker of money in state politics.

By: RAY REED
Published: October 25, 2011

Six former members of Lynchburg City Council endorsed Republican Tom Garrett today in his race against Democrat Bert Dodson for the 22nd District state Senate seat.

The endorsements came from former mayors Julian Adams and Jim Whitaker, along with former council members Robert Garber, Bill McRorie, Joe Seiffert and now-Del. Scott Garrett.

Three current members of City Council,  H. Cary, Jeff Helgeson and Turner Perrow, endorsed Garrett last week.

In a news release forwarded to Lynchburg media by Helgeson, the six former councilmen said they agreed with Garrett’s conservative philosophy and appreciate the time he has spent campaigning in Lynchburg.

Adams said: “Tom Garrett’s philosophy of government is much more representative of the thinking of most Central Virginians. I believe Garrett is the better person for the job.”

Seiffert said: “I worked with Dodson for eight years on council, and have no hesitation in endorsing Tom Garrett. Tom is a principled conservative with ideas for the future as opposed to the rhetoric we hear from the Democrat side.”

Scott Garrett said:  “Being an elected representative means that you serve and work with people. We need a representative who understands fiscal responsibility, is running to serve, and realizes government must have restraints.” Scott Garrett represents Lynchburg in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Garber said:  “Those of us who know Bert’s record the best, like it the least. We need a representative who understands fiscal responsibility, not growing government and raising taxes. Tom Garrett understands that, and it is not just political rhetoric. He has my full support.”

McRorie said: “Garrett is committed to protecting our families and standing up for our liberties.”

Whitaker said: “We need a Senator who represents our conservative values to Richmond, and Tom Garrett is that man.”

“Good evening, everyone. I want to offer my apology to all of you in attendance, the Amherst County Chamber of Commerce, and to my opponent for not being able to be with you tonight. Candidate debates are an important part of your process of selecting the person you want to represent you in government, whether it is at the local, state, or national level. I am sorry that my absence affects in any way, your selection process. I will do everything within my power to make it up to you between now and the elections.

This weekend, I learned that my father is seriously ill and I am taking just a couple of days from the campaign to be with him, my mother, and my family, as we face the news and make crucial decisions about his medical treatment. My father means everything to me. If you don’t know him, I wish you could get to know him. He is a man of impeccable character and incredible strength. He is my role model. If you want to know the truth, he will end up leading us through this ordeal, rather than us helping him.

I want to thank the many people in the 22nd District and beyond for your outpouring of concern and most important, your prayers. Please continue to pray for my Dad.

I hope by now you know the basic tenets of my candidacy.

I believe strongly in a limited state government that lives within its means, governs within the bounds of the constitution, and considers all the consequences of its legislation.

I believe state government should concentrate on its core, essential functions of public safety, education, and transportation. We absolutely must streamline all other functions to ensure these essential ones are fully funded.

I believe that business and commerce goes where business and commerce is welcome. The state’s role in promoting business is to reduce or eliminate the three main detriments to the creation and growth of jobs in our region… taxation, regulation, and litigation. Under Governor Bob McDonnell’s leadership, Virginia is recognized as the best state in America to do business. We can do even better, and we must. Creation and growth of jobs is the single most important issue in this election.

I believe strongly in, and will protect with all my abilities, our rights and privileges as citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America. Those rights are given to us by God and the Founding Fathers of this great nation. You have earned them simply by being an American and a Virginian.

Again, I offer my sincere apology for not being here tonight. My absence, in no way, takes away for my earnest desire to be your 22nd District Senator. I would be honored and humbled by your vote in November.  But, if in your heart, you find that you cannot vote for me, please pray for my father.”

NRA-PVF:  Garrett “…pro-Second Amendment, pro-hunting candidate who will uphold and defend these rights in Richmond.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             August 17, 2011

Today the National Rifle Association joined Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Lynchburg Tea Party, Delegate Rob Bell and Bill Janis in endorsing Tom Garrett to be the next Senator from Virginia’s 22nd.  The primary election in the 22nd District will be on Tuesday, August 23rd at normal polling places.  The 22nd Senate district includes parts of Lynchburg and Louisa, as well as all of the counties of Goochland, Fluvanna, Buckingham, Cumberland, Prince Edward, Appomattox, Amherst, and the Town of Farmville.  There is no incumbent Senator in this district, which was shifted from Roanoke area eastward due to redistricting that resulted from the 2010 Census.

“I’m very excited that the NRA has joined Ken Cuccinelli, the Lynchburg Tea Party, Rob Bell, and Bill Janis in endorsing our candidacy.  The reason we earned this endorsement is that I have a record of standing up to defend the Second Amendment.  As Ben Franklin said, ‘Well done is better than well said,’”  Garrett said today.

Torrey Williams with the Garrett campaign added “The message to voters on August 23rd is clear, Tom Garrett is the Constitutional, Christian, Cuccinelli, Conservative in this race.  His record separates him from the rhetoric of those who have never had to take a tough stand for freedom.”

For information, contact Torrey Williams with the Garrett campaign at (540) 223-3295 or garrettforsenate@gmail.comor contact Andrew Jennison with the NRA at (703) 267-1215or at ajennison@nrahq.com.   The endorsement can also be viewed at the NRA-PVF website at http://www.nrapvf.org/grades-endorsements/2011/virginia.aspx .

NRA Endorsement

I am proud to announce my support and endorsement for my friend Tom Garrett in the 22nd District State Senate race. It is my firm belief that Tom has the experience, judgment and temperament to make an outstanding state senator. Further, Tom is a strong constitutional conservative with a proven record that is unmatched in this race.

I do not make this endorsement lightly. There are many fine candidates in this race, however, none have proven themselves to be leaders in protecting and defending the laws and constitutions of Virginia and the United States like Tom Garrett.

Tom is well known for taking stands on issues he believes in. During my race for the nomination for Attorney General in 2009, Tom Garrett was the sole prosecutor to back me during the nomination. Not only did he back my candidacy, but he also worked tirelessly during the general election to help with the Melendez-Diaz special session, which resulted in closing a loophole that allowed drunk drivers to get off scot-free.

The Commonwealth Attorney’s office managed by Tom Garrett is recognized for having the ‘gold standard’ in protecting children from child predators and pornographers. His office is so well recognized for their work that child predators actually avoid Louisa County. His extraordinary leadership in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office is evidence of how he will lead in the State Senate.

Tom Garrett has proven time and time again that he possesses the work ethic necessary to win tough elections. He became the Commonwealth Attorney in Louisa through hard grassroots campaigning and unseated an entrenched incumbent. His willingness to take chances and do the right thing is an important asset to our cause.

It is Tom’s proven record of accomplishments, his unwavering conservative values and unquestionably strong work ethic which leads me to making this endorsement. I encourage voters across the 22nd District to join me in supporting Tom Garrett for State Senate.

In response to Ken’s endorsement, Tom replied.

We are proud to have earned the endorsement of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Ken Cuccinelli has been a steadfast voice for Virginia Conservatives for the last decade. Today Ken told the voters of the 22nd District that we share his values. I genuinely want to serve in Richmond to continue Ken’s legacy of strong Constitutional, Christian, Conservative voice in the Virginia State Senate. If the voters of the 22nd want to send a Cuccinelli Conservative to the Senate, I am asking for their support.

The 22nd district in 2008 voted overwhelmingly Republican:  64% McDonald – 64% Cuccinelli – 53% McCain.  Our goal is to elect a strong Constitutional conservative in a conservative district and we look forward to working for Tom Garrett as we believe he is the candidate most closely aligned to our principles of Constitutionally limited government, freedom to pursue prosperity through unhindered markets and liberty tempered by virtue.

“Tom Garrett emerged the winner based on the deciding factor of his absolute willingness to engage the federal government at the state level in defense of the Constitution, the 9th and 10th Amendments, God-given inalienable rights and a return to Federalism…this is a candidate that we can be energized to vote for and we that believe many others will be as well.” Said Mike Troxel LTP Vice President.

Everyone was impressed by all the candidates performance last night at the Lynchburg Tea Party debate. They are all good candidates  each having their own unique strengths. We are very thankful to Liberty University Law School for the use of the Supreme Court room and to the moderator Dean Mathew Staver.

Prior to the debate on Friday the LTP Steering Committee met with each of the candidates for over an hour and questioned them on a variety of topics to ascertain their stance on issues that are important to the Tea Party. This information was integrated into the debate questions as well as presented to the LTP membership after the debate. The debate was designed to give them an opportunity to face extremely tough questions and reveal their strength and character as individuals and candidates. We believe they did an exemplary job and we are proud of each of them.
 
The membership of the Lynchburg Tea Party had the opportunity to endorse any candidate or no candidate at all. The vote to endorse Tom Garrett was overwhelming.
 
Kurt Feigel President of the Lynchburg Tea Party said ” We’ve met with all of the Republican candidates for Virginia Senate and we feel that Tom Garrett epitomizes what we as an organization believe in, not just as platitudes, but at his core. ”

” We are honored to have secured the LTP endorsement, there are candidates that suggest that this senate seat belongs to one locality or another, the truth is that the 22nd is not a local seat but a conservative senate seat. ” Said Tom Garrett “The Lynchburg Tea Party understands that it’s more important where you stand on an issue than where you sleep in the district”

Mike Troxel – LTP Vice-President said ” We had a good discussion with our membership and have thought long and hard about doing an endorsement, in the end they decided that Tom was the candidate we should get behind ”

Tom Garrett is a solid champion of the U.S. Constitution and understands the Federal abuse of States Rights that have plagued us for too long. Tom will fight in Richmond to secure a future for all Virginians. A future that should not include high taxes and run away spending.

“As the Commonwealth’s Attorney [prosecutor] for Louisa County, Tom has seen first hand the benefits of strong laws that protect our citizens” said Kurt Feigel “Tom’s record is nothing short of amazing”

The Lynchburg Tea Party is currently organizing a phone and door to door campaign in support of Tom following this endorsement.

“Tom has done a fantastic job of making the grass roots connections across the 22nd district and getting the team in place to succeed in November against Bert Dodson” said Kurt Feigel “Garrett has raised over $100,000 and is on track to win the primary in August and the general election in November as well. ”

Tom Garrett understands the issues facing our state and nation. It is important that he understands the national issues from a Constitutional standpoint because those impact us every day. Bad Washington D.C. policy hurts our national economy and that hurts our commonwealth. We need principled leaders that will go to Richmond and fight back against an over reaching federal government. 

“You don’t win races by just sending out mailers and running adds. You win them at the water cooler and the kitchen table. That is how we plan to win this race for Tom Garrett” said Kurt Feigel.