Dodson to Seek Senate Seat in New 22nd District

Bert Dodson, a Lynchburg businessman and former city councilman, will run as a Democrat in the new 22nd Senate District in central Virginia.

"We need more people with a business background in the state Senate," Dodson said.

He is president of Dodson Pest Control, which employs more than 500 people in five states. He was on the Lynchburg City Council from 1998 to 2010, including six years as vice mayor.

He pledged a renewed state commitment to K-12 and higher education.

The new district, which was created recently by theGeneral Assembly, runs from northern Lynchburg through central Virginia to Goochland and Louisacounties.

Five Republicans are seeking that party's nomination to run for the seat. They will face one another in an Aug. 23 primary.

One of the Republicans, Tom Garrett of Louisa County, challenged the other four Tuesday to a series of debates. Garrett, the commonwealth's attorney in Louisa, proposed 10 debates weekly throughout the sprawling district.

Those debates, he said, should show who is the true conservative and who is the triangulator.

from Tyler Whitley @ the Richmond Times-Dispatch