Dear George,

You mentioned in today's posting that "Meredith Richards... was seen at an Alleghany County Covington Democratic breakfast on Saturday."

I want your web readers to know that I did indeed attend Saturday's breakfast of the Alleghany County, Bath County, Covington, Clifton Forge and Buena Vista Democrats. I was so pleased with the warm and enthusiastic reception that I received. There's clearly an active Democratic base in this part of the district.

I got up at 5:30 and drove to Covington to find out more about what people care about in the Western reaches of the new 25th District. I learned that labor unions are strong in this part of the district, and are an active part of the Democratic Party. With the labor base, the Democratic Party is quite strong and energetic in its work for the local and statewide candidates.

At the breakfast, I met and talked with about 120 people from the Alleghany/Covington area. People told me that few candidates ever come to their neck of the woods. I decided to start my campaign there to bring the Western and Eastern sides of Afton Mountain together into the newly formed 25th district. We can only win
this district for the Democratic party if we include all its far flung regions.

I was privileged to meet Delegate Creigh Deeds at the breakfast, and wished him well in his re-election. Should he also decide to enter the race for the 25th, I look forward to hitting the campaign trail with him.

Best regards,

Meredith Richards (electronic mail, October 28, 2001).