BRISTOL, Va. – U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign will open 20 offices across Virginia, including two in Southwest Virginia.
Campaign officials discussed the strategy during a news conference on Wednesday at the Bristol office on West State Street.
He will face presumptive GOP nominee John McCain in November’s general election.
Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee, talked about the importance of Virginia and this region in the election when he kicked off his national campaign last month at a Twin City rally.
“A Democratic candidate opening 20 campaign offices in Virginia is historic in its own right,” state Sen. Phillip Puckett, D-Lebanon, said on Wednesday. “It says the Obama campaign is very serious about Virginia.”
Grand-opening ceremonies are scheduled Saturday for all 20 offices.
The last time Virginia voters didn’t support a GOP nominee was when Democrat Lyndon Johnson defeated Barry Goldwater in 1964.
“Virginia is in play in a presidential election and we’re excited about that,” Puckett said.
About 15 people attended Wednesday’s announcement at 1009 W. State St.
In addition to the Bristol location, the campaign will open an office at the United Mine Workers office in Castlewood.
Simultaneously opening that many offices statewide is designed to help educate voters about the Illinois senator and his position on issues, Obama Virginia Campaign Director Mitch Stewart said in a news release.
“The new offices represent the frame upon which our neighbor-to-neighbor, grass-roots campaign will be built,” Stewart said.
dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532
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