How many times has the phrase “I am, without question, the right person for the job” been uttered by a politician? The answer is a lot. Liberals, conservatives and libertarians are all known to be hyperbolic at times.

Anthony Flaccavento, a Democrat, wants the City of Salem to know that he isn’t like most politicians. An organic produce farmer who established the Appalachian Sustainable Development in addition to running a consulting firm, Flaccavento says he has been working with communities in Southwest Virginia for over 30 years.

“A combination of extensive hands-on experience, making things happen on the ground in the district and many years of advocacy for better public policy are things that separate me from other candidates,” Flaccavento, a University of Kentucky graduate, said. “I know and have worked with farmers, small business owners and scores of other people, at our community colleges and universities, in state government and the federal government.”

After losing to Morgan Griffith, a member of the Republican Party and Freedom Caucus, in 2012, Anthony went back to farming and running his business. In early 2017, he decided he was going to run again for Virginia’s 9th District House seat, which includes Salem and Roanoke County. The Baltimore, Maryland, native says he learned a lot during his first campaign run.

“In 2012, I entered the race in March and had only volunteer staff until almost June. I learned that you have to start much earlier, which is why I launched my campaign in October this time around, six months earlier,” he said. “I also learned that more than anything else, people need to know you and trust you before you can win their support. They also need to know that you’ll do what’s right, regardless of party politics.”

Anthony plans on holding 100 Town Hall meetings before the November election. On Saturday, April 7, area residents gathered at the Salem Public Library to hear what Anthony had to say. On Monday, May 7, another community discussion will take place at the library.

“Anthony is highly intelligent and offers years of business experience to our citizens who have not benefitted from trickle-down economics,” Treva Carter, a staunch supporter, said. “I respect him more every time I hear him talk with voters. He truly cares about our District.”

Since day one, Anthony’s four campaign priorities have remained the same: listen to people and learn about their concerns, host several community forums, get a wide and diverse range of people involved and fight for working folks and the needs of the 9th District.

“I’ve been working with local communities for over three decades on everything from affordable home ownership for lower-income families, to new markets and products for tobacco farmers, to downtown economic renewal,” he said. “I’m running because I’ve seen first-hand what’s possible when we invest in local people, infrastructure, education and training and community development, rather than giving away the store to huge corporations with no roots in our communities.”

In a perfect world, every candidate running for office would operate on an even playing field. Clearly, such a world doesn’t exist. Anthony said his campaign is not accepting any corporate money.

“I chose to rely instead on everyday people to support my campaign. With this strategy, we raised about $120,000 in the first quarter of 2018, and now have nearly 600 individual contributors, including some who give small amounts monthly,” Anthony said. “This is much more challenging and time-consuming than accepting large corporate PAC contributions – which comprise nearly three-fourths of the incumbent’s finances – but is essential to real representation.”

Anthony, who has two children and a stepson, has been married to his second wife, Laurel, for the last 20 years. He credits his family for giving him the strength to push through the adversity of the years. If elected, Anthony says he’s confident that he’ll be able to hit the ground running.

“The rich and the powerful already have plenty of friends in Congress, including our current Congressman,” Anthony said. “I believe that the voice of a working person and farmer will help level the playing field for the people of this district.”

For more information about Anthony Flaccavento, visit flacc4congress.com.