Democrat Greg Marrow seeks Landes' House seat

Optometrist and U.S. Navy veteran Greg Marrow will seek the Democratic nomination in House District 25 to run against veteran Del. Steve Landes in November.

Landes will face Democratic opposition for the first time since 1995.

Marrow, who lives in the Rockingham County community of McGaheysville and operates a Harrisonburg eye clinic, is running on a platform of green jobs and technology and improved health care.

With the country in a recession and the 25th District — and especially Waynesboro with 7.9 percent unemployment — feeling it, Marrow wants to be a part of a green jobs revolution.

“We need to bring green technology and green jobs to Waynesboro and Augusta County,” said Marrow, a Maine native and 13-year veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Marrow said empty warehouses in the 25th District can be sites for wind turbines and other green technology.

“We have the opportunity to create an industrial sector. Here is our chance to revitalize manufacturing,” he said.

Marrow also wants to address health care.

As an eye doctor, he said he frequently hears patients discuss choosing between medical care and paying such essentials as their mortgage.

“I would like to address health care more than ever before in the district,” he said.

Health care and medical issues such as post-traumatic stress for returning veterans will also be a priority, Marrow said.

Marrow must first get the nomination by winning the June 9 Democratic primary if he is to meet Landes in the fall.

Landes, a seven-term incumbent in the district, which includes Waynesboro and parts of Augusta, Rockingham and Albemarle counties, said competition is healthy.

“It’s a good thing at some point while running to have candidates who differ with you on various issues,” Landes said.

Landes anticipates the economy will be a major issue in the fall election as well as industrial recruitment and expansion of existing industries.

And as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Landes said he has worked with other legislators and state leaders to manage Virginia’s budget and economy.

“Virginia is not the best managed state in the nation because of Democrats and Republicans, it’s because people have worked to make it that way,” Landes said.

James Madison University political scientist Bob Roberts said Marrow’s chances hinge on appealing to voters with his job creation ideas.

“Look at Waynesboro where you have a particularly bad situation,” Roberts said. “If a candidate can come up with a plan for new jobs he can attract voters who have not voted.”

Roberts said Marrow must “get people out and offer an alternative.”