Denver Riggleman, candidate for the 5th Congressional District, visited the town of Farmville on Saturday, first attending a meeting at Riverside Cafe and then taking a tour of downtown Farmville where he met with area small business owners.

Riggleman will be running for the congressional seat currently held by Rep. Tom Garrett. He was nominated by the 5th Congressional District after Garrett announced he would withdraw his candidacy May 28. Riggleman will run against Leslie Cockburn for the seat.

Del. Tommy Wright, who represents Cumberland and Lunenburg counties, was in attendance.

Diana Shores, committee chair with the Cumberland County Republicans, said Riggleman first attended a breakfast meeting at Riverside Cafe with Cumberland, Buckingham and Prince Edward Republican committees. Following the breakfast, Riggleman participated in a tour of downtown Farmville, meeting area small business owners.

Shores said Riggleman spoke about his policy toward small business, including lowering taxes, fees and decreasing regulations in order to aid small business owners in growth and expansion.

Riggleman, a former Air Force intelligence officer, works as a consultant for the Pentagon and co-owns and operates Silverback Distillery in Nelson County with owner Christine Riggleman, his wife.

In a statement, Shores said Riggleman’s visit encouraged necessary conversation about small businesses in the area and ways that they can be supported at the state and local levels.

“We are pleased that Denver Riggleman is taking the time to tour the district to hear the concerns of business owners,” Shores said. “As a part of a family owned small business, he understands that tax burdens and increased regulations hurt Main Street communities like Farmville.”

Vellie S. Dietrich-Hall, owner of Vellie’s Boutique at 223 N. Main St., said Riggleman visited the store, answering questions about myriad taxes placed on small businesses and the negative repercussions of those taxes on small businesses.

“Nothing is left,” Dietrich-Hall said about finances after tax payments. “So no wonder a lot of business owners do not last long.”

“We addressed them, and I’m happy with his response.” Dietrich-Hall said about her meeting with Riggleman.

She said Riggleman heard her concerns about U.S. immigration policy. She cited a situation her brother is facing, waiting for nearly 21 years and being unable to visit their mother, who lives in the U.S. She said they are the children of a U.S. veteran.

“He’s a (Certified Public Accountant) CPA, he’s not a hindrance to Uncle Sam,” Dietrich-Hall said about her brother. Concerning her questions to Riggleman, she asked him what his response would be.

“There’s a lot of backlog there that needs to be straightened out,” Dietrich-Hall said about the national policy.

“He agreed,” Dietrich-Hall said about Riggleman’s response to the backlog.

Dietrich-Hall said Riggleman also agreed about offering solutions to people who have waited and have followed immigration policy.

“The people who are waiting in line have waited for years,” Dietrich-Hall said, also advocating for fair treatment for people without shortcuts.