Valley activist already preparing for 2019 election

A Valley activist is already preparing for the 2019 state elections.

Jennifer Kitchen hopes to win the 25th District's democratic nomination in order to run against to run against Delegate Steve Landes.

Kitchen is the founder of the Staunton Augusta Waynesboro Action Committee. She said she has thought about running for an elected position in the past, and now seems like the right time.

"Rural Virginia is very unique," Kitchen said. "To have the modern rural Virginian's voice heard and represented in Richmond would mean everything to me."

Kitchen said one of the main issues she would hope to tackle in Richmond would be to ensure affordable, reliable internet service for rural Virginians in the Valley.

Landes has served in the 25th District for more than two decades. In 2017, he defeated Democrat Angela Lynn by 16 percent of the vote. Most election challenges he has faced have ended with similarly strong leads.