By: Damean Mathews
These days, Derek W. Kitts says hope is "in short supply in Southwest Virginia."
Recently nominated to run as the Democratic candidate in the 9th District congressional race, Kitts, 47, of Christiansburg, wants to help improve the region by addressing issues such as drug abuse and unemployment.
Taken together, these issues "have a domino effect with catastrophic consequences for multiple areas," he said.
Addressing the need for jobs is one of the most important things Kitts said he would focus on, if elected. The steady loss of jobs, many of them in coal mining, has led to an increase in opioid abuse, less funding for schools and what he calls "a general lack of hope."
One of the first things he would do is attempt to ensure that technology and opportunities for internet access improve in the region via a bill that would extend telecommunications infrastructure. He believes that would eventually lead to recruiting new businesses and hiring local workers.
"The infrastructure will bring the businesses, the businesses will bring jobs and the jobs bring the educational hope that the people that come will get taught well," Kitts said.
He has strong opinions about the issues the coal industry is facing, stating that coal is part of Southwest Virginia.
"You can't attack coal without attacking Southwest Virginia and its identity," said Kitts.
The candidate was born in Roanoke and is a decorated combat veteran who retired after serving 24 years in the Army. He served three tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
"While on active duty in the military you can't be openly involved in politics, so I really didn't start
until after Christmas," Kitts said of his campaign. "But I'd been researching it for a year."
He graduated from Bluefield College with a degree in public safety and said he's always been proud of the area, his interest stemming from a feeling that Southwest Virginia needs a stronger voice when it comes to its congressman.
The best way to really help the area is by having a representative who will take a more active role, stand up and take the concerns to Washington and be assertive in attacking some of the region's problems, he said.
"I'm from Southwest Virginia," Kitts said. "If I take it a little personal, it's because it's my home. We need strong people with strong leadership. We need to show them [Congress] that ... we're the heart of the state. The state doesn't end in Roanoke."
He is also passionate about revamping the education system and ensuring that local schools are improved to give children the best chance at a quality education.
"People complain that the education system in Southwest Virginia isn't good enough," Kitts said, "
then why don't we admit that we have a problem? Why is a child in Southwest Virginia worth less?"
If elected, Kitts feels that traveling through the area and speaking to the people will be one of the greatest ways to benefit the region.
"It's great to be direct, but you need to be able to listen to people, because at the end of the day you're representing them, not yourself," he said.
Kitts will face off with three-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, Nov. 8.