Joe Dashiell Reporter (WDBJ7 Article)

7:50 p.m. EST, December 29, 2011
ROANOKE CO.,Va.—

Chris Head will carry a conservative philosophy to Richmond when the Republican takes his seat in the General Assembly next month, but the freshman delegate says he is looking forward to representing all of the people in the 17th District, whether they voted for him or not.

Head is now on a steep learning curve. A phone book-sized binder is just part one of his orientation materials. He also jokes that he didn’t know how popular he would become after winning the election, but he’s looking forward to representing the interests of his district.

“You know where I am going to come from,” Head told News7. “There are some things you are never going to get me to vote for. There are some things you’re never going to get me to vote against, but there are a lot of things that I need to hear their perspectives on and I need to be hearing from everybody that will talk to me.”

Head says he has big shoes to fill. His predecessors include Bill Cleaveland, William Fralin and Vic Thomas. In his first General Assembly session, Head says he’ll concentrate on learning the ropes. He  doesn’t know yet what his committee assignments will be, but says government reform, economic development and job creation will be among his top priorities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nicole Riley, State Director, NFIB 804-377-3661

Small Business Endorses Chris Head in House Race

Roanoke, September 28, 2011 — The National Federation of Independent Business, Virginia’s leading small-business association, has endorsed Chris Head in the 17th House District race.

The endorsement was made by NFIB/Virginia SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust, which is comprised exclusively of NFIB members. NFIB has 6,000 small-business members throughout the Commonwealth.

“Chris Head understands the challenges facing Virginia’s small, family businesses and is the clear choice in House District 17,” said Nicole Riley, state director of NFIB/Virginia.

“We believe Chris Head will take a fiscally responsible approach to managing state government and support legislation that helps our small businesses grow and create jobs and puts the Commonwealth back on the pathway to success.”

NFIB’s endorsement is critical to a candidate’s campaign. Small business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls. NFIB has pledged it will activate its grassroots network on behalf of the campaign. NFIB’s political support is based on the candidates’ positions and voting records on small business issues.

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NFIB is the nation’s leading small business association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists sends its views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system. NFIB’s mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at www.NFIB.com/newsroom.

Lynda Foster caught up with Chris immediately after the LinkUp Networking Event at the Patrick Henry Hotel in Roanoke, Virginia to ask him about why he wanted to help with the contest.

Enjoy the short video interview.