News and Events . Knight Declares Candidacy

Knight Declares Candidacy for 81st District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2008
Contact: Barry D. Knight, barrydknight@yahoo.com

Virginia Beach, VA – Local agribusinessman and Virginia Beach Planning Commission member, Barry D. Knight, announced today that he intends to campaign for the soon-to-be-vacant House seat in the 81st District.  Following today’s announcement from Delegate Terrie Suit that she plans to retire effective October 12th; Knight informed his close friends and family of his intentions to run for office.  Said Knight, “This is an opportunity that I cannot pass up.  Delegate Suit has done a fabulous job representing the 81st District, and I only hope that I can live up to the high standards she has established.  It would be an honor to represent the good people of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake living in the 81st District.”

Delegate Terrie Suit has endorsed Knight’s campaign saying, “Barry is exactly the type of representative this district needs.”  She went on to say, “He is an honest, hard-working Virginian who believes in giving back to his community.  His strong roots in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake help him understand the diverse needs of the 81st District.  I am proud to support Barry as he campaigns for the House of Delegates.”

As a Republican, Knight believes strongly in lowering taxes and reducing the size of government.  He understands the need for a strong public education system that provides a safe learning environment.  He knows that finding a transportation solution is critical to ensuring economic growth and prosperity in our region.  Knight is the son of a United States Marine and has always been a strong supporter of the military.  As a husband and a father, Knight is committed to preserving strong family values and protecting the constitutional rights of Virginia’s citizens.             

Knight, 53, has spent nearly his entire life in Virginia Beach and the 81st District.  As a young man, he worked odd jobs to help support his family until he saved enough money to purchase land for his own farm.  Over the years, he was able to turn a small plot of land into a thriving business, Barry D. Knight Farms, with 480 acres of land that now produces 12,000 finished hogs a year.  He served as the president of the Tidewater Pork Producers from 1984 to 1990, and in 1995, he was appointed to the Virginia Pork Board by Governor George Allen and re-appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore.  He has been a member of the Virginia Beach Planning Commission since 2003, serving as chairman in 2006 and 2007.  Barry was named the Virginia Farm Bureau Young Farmer of the Year in 1983, received the Clean Water Farm Award in 1992 and 1998, and was recognized as Virginia Beach Man of the Year in Agriculture in 1998.

Barry and his wife Paula have been married for 25 years and live in Pungo with their three sons Hunter, Kyle, and Forrest.  The family attends Oak Grove Baptist Church, where Barry is chairman of the grounds committee and volunteers as a substitute Sunday School teacher.

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