Small-business, non-profit, human services leaders and advocates joined at a breakfast today to praise Chris for his efforts to fight for the disabled, seniors, women and children, and victims of domestic violence. Mechanicsville, VA - Delegate Christopher K. Peace announced today that he will seek re-election to the 97th District in the House of Delegates. Headlining Peace’s kick-off breakfast hosted at the American Legion Post 175in Mechanicsville, Congressman David Brat (R-7th District) complimented the Delegate for his conservative leadership in Richmond and for his thoughtful approach to representative democracy. Hanover Supervisors Canova Peterson and Angela Kelly-Wiecek, Clerk Frank Hargrove, Jr., Treasurer Scott Miller, Commonwealth Attorney Trip Chalkley, New Kent Sheriff Wakie Howard, Supervisor Thomas Evelyn, and King William Commissioner of the Revenue Sally Pearson among others joined Peace for the kickoff. Delegate Peace’s father, Dr. Karl Peace, also was present for this special event.
Delegate Peace has represented the 97th House District since first being elected in 2006, and he is frequently rated one of Virginia’s most business-friendly conservatives. Peace’s voting record shows a consistent focus on opposing tax increases, protecting family values defending the Constitution, and promoting job creation and a high quality of life in Hanover, King William and New Kent counties. On announcing his candidacy for re-election as the Republican nominee, Delegate Peace prepared the following statement,
“With great humility, I intend to seek re-election to the office of Delegate for the 97th District in the Virginia General Assembly. At home, my office remains creative and responsive to all constituent concerns. In Richmond, I want to represent the people’s best interests in developing and managing state public policy. I want to earn your vote as one one of Virginia’s most business-friendly conservatives with a voting record focused on opposing tax increases, protecting family values, defending the Constitution, and promoting job creation and a high quality of life in Hanover, King William and New Kent counties.”
Speaking to Del. Peace’s impact on the brain injury community, Jason Young, Executive Director, Community Brain Injury Services stated that his recent legislative successes will increase the quality of life of residents across the District and the Commonwealth. Additional remarks were offered by Kristie VanAudenhove, Executive Director of Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance, and Sheree Hedrick, Executive Director, Hanover Safe Place. With the passage of recent domestic violence reform measures Peace’s work will streamline services and increase efficiencies to better address the needs of victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
Peace’s heart for strengthening families and protection of children in our communities was highlighted by Janet Kelly, former Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth. Mrs. Kelly shared details about personal interactions with Peace on matters of family law, adoption, and foster care. Melissa Ball, a Hanover resident and small business owner, stated that just as she wants to keep all of her well performing employees and in much the same way hopes the voters of the District will “re-hire Delegate Peace this November.”
In his prepared statement to media, Peace outlined how DC lawmakers have been the source of policy after policies that make it harder to create jobs. He noted how in Richmond the Assembly passed legislation making it easier for small businesses to find the funding to start and grow. This efficient and effective leadership of which Peace has been a part is total absent in Washington, D.C. where there is rampant debt, deficits and higher taxes. Alternatively in Richmond there are balanced budgets and cuts in discretionary spending. In fact, the House has killed 26 separate tax increases worth over $30 B since 2003, and Peace strongly opposed expanding Obamacare in Virginia. Last year’s $2.4 B shortfall crisis was solved by not by grabbing the “free” money from Obamacare but by making tough choices to balance the budget. Virginia now spends $1B less in general fund dollars than in last year’s original budget. For all those working families in the District, the legislature also eliminated $11.7 M in fees and $33 M in debt proposed by Governor McAuliffe. Working together against future shortfalls, Republicans and Democrats pre-paid the 2017 rainy day fund deposit.
Delegate Peace’s priorities last session and going forward will remain promoting an atmosphere which will encourage the private sector to create good and well-paying jobs, a state government which will partner with our localities to improve our schools, and ensure that college is more affordable, and ultimately to protect our most vulnerable citizens. Peace continued in his re-election statement,
“I am seeking re-election to represent the home and community that I love. I commit to work every day to find solutions for hard working families so that it becomes a better place to live, work and raise a family. While challenges exist, I believe that there are no problems that we cannot solve together as a community. When we decide that America remains the greatest country in the world with a dream intact, we will realize greater opportunities. When we reject the divisive tone of our local and state politic, we will be able to achieve great things for our shared community.
Working together we can continue to improve how government serves its people in more efficient and effective ways. We can and must keep the burden of taxes from increasing on our citizens and businesses and we must never forget who we are and what we believe in. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve and I look forward to continuing to represent the citizens of this District in the Virginia House of Delegates for another two years.”
If you would like to contact the Peace campaign, please feel free to contact the Delegate personally at info@chrispeace.com , visit www.chrispeace.com, or remit correspondence to his office at P.O. Box 819, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.