2023: The Year in Review
December 30, 2023 Martinsville Bulletin
Adams resigns
Although Del. Les Adams of Pittsylvania County was reelected in November, earlier this month he announced plans to resign after his current term ends next month. A Republican mass meeting was hastily called at a location in the north end of Pittsylvania County for the purpose of determining a candidate and Republican residents in Martinsville and Henry County cried foul about the process held on a weekday afternoon, with little notice, at an inconvenient location. Eric Phillips, an Axton businessman and chairman of the Martinsville-Henry County Republican Committee, announced his candidacy for the nomination, contracted two buses $$$ and three passenger vans to provide transportation, and overwhelmed the meeting with his supporters.
Will Pace, chairman of the Pittsylvania County Republican Committee, declared his candidacy for the nomination, orchestrated the mass meeting, and then conceded defeat to Phillips after the majority of the 198 voters at the meeting voted for Phillips.
Democrat Melody Cartwright of Martinsville, will run against Phillips in a special election to be held Jan. 9.The winner will be the first resident of Martinsville or Henry County to represent the area in the General Assembly since Del. Ward Armstrong and Sen. Roscoe Reynolds left office over a decade ago.
Former Senator Roscoe Reynolds, Dr. David Jones, and Melody Cartwright at the VMNH Gala.