George,

I appreciate your interest in my race for the 59th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates and apologize for the delay in responding to your request.

I filed for the Democratic Party nomination on April 11th and have been declared the Party's nominee as no other Democrat filed for the June 10th Primary. Watkins Abbitt, Jr., is expected to file as an Independent by the June 10th deadline and the Republicans are unlikely to nominate a candidate.

Watkins Abbitt was elected eight times as a Democrat, but ran as an Independent in 2001 in a redistricting deal with Vance Wilkins. Hank Hagenau of Buckingham County ran against him in 2001 and received 37% of the vote with an under funded campaign of short duration. The voting precincts added to the 59th in Albemarle and Fluvanna have a record of Democratic performance and I believe I will do well in Buckingham and Nelson. Abbitt generally votes with the Republican majority, but still enjoys Democratic support from those voters unaware of the self serving deal he made to preclude being placed in a district with a popular Republican.

I considered challenging Abbitt in 2001, but the time was short and my business commitments precluded the all-out effort that would be required to unseat an incumbent. This year I have the time to devote to the campaign and believe this is a competitive race for a seat that can be won by a Democrat.

For the past six weeks, I have been traversing the district to attend public events and meetings of elected officials. I've met with volunteers of rescue squads, fire departments, and other service organizations. I've stopped to speak with hundreds of individual voters and visited with others at country stores. The experience has been encouraging and rewarding.

As the June 10th filing deadline approaches, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the race for the 59th will be one of the most competitive in Central Virginia. Democrats can start down the difficult road to re-build our party in the General Assembly by ousting Watkins Abbitt and showing the Republicans their strategy doesn't always work. I may be the underdog, but I believe voters will say "Hale, Yes" on November 4th.

My campaign has enjoyed the support of voters in counties of the 59th District, but would benefit greatly from financial support from Democrats in Charlottesville and those portions of Albemarle outside the 59th. Fell free to call or e-mail me with comments or questions about my campagin. Contributions may be sent to Hale for Delegate, 3130 Laurel Road, Shipman, VA 22971.

Further information on my candidacy may be found on our website: HaleforDelegate.com.

Allen Hale (electronic mail, May 23, 2003