SOUTH BOSTON – Freshman Delegate James Edmunds will seek a sophomore term in the General Assembly.

The 60th District member, who won election in 2009 to succeed the retired Clarke Hogan, announced Tuesday that “it is with great excitement that I announce my intention to seek re-election for a second term to the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 60th District! I recognize that we don't know exactly how that district will look, but I will enthusiastically embrace whatever I am given to represent and do so to the best of my ability.”

The Republican made the announcement prior to finalized redistricting plans. At the least, the district will continue to include most of Prince Edward County. Edmunds told The Herald that the House passed a plan that will give him all of Prince Edward but the plan hadn't been voted on yet by the full General Assembly.

“I have learned so much over the last two years and I believe that I can build on that experience to become an even more effective Delegate. I have spent much of the last two years building relationships with my colleagues in the House of Delegates as well as the Senate, and I believe that I will continue to become a more effective representative for Southern Virginia. The one thing I learned pretty quickly is that experience means everything in politics and you have to prove yourself among your colleagues and your constituents and you need to be honest and forthright in your character in order to get results. I believe that I have earned the respect of my colleagues from both parties, and I will continue to work hard for Southern Virginia if you elect me to serve you for another term.

During his first term, Edmunds believes, “I was able to make a difference for much of Southern Virginia. Some legislation I worked on during my first term were bills that helped volunteer firemen and veterans, bills that made it easier for new companies to locate in Virginia, and bills that would help property owners with assessments.

The delegate, and farmer, promised he will remain focused on job creation and economic development.

” I do everything possible to make sure those in the economic development arena, especially the Governor, understand what we have to offer businesses that locate in Southern Virginia. We have some of the finest workers anywhere in the world and fantastic training centers that offer opportunities to stay current on what industry is looking for from an employee. We have the best quality of life that can be found anywhere and our public education system is second to none. Year after year our teachers do more with less, yet manage to keep turning out the brightest and best! Add that to the fact Virginia is the best place in the U.S. to do business and we have a great story to tell businesses on why they need to locate here.”