Rex McCarty is so much better qualified than Terry Kilgore to represent Scott County, it's not even funny. Let's compare their biographies for a few seconds, and you'll quickly see what I mean.Terry Kilgore: Grew up in Gate City, graduated from Gate City High School in 1979, received a B.S. degree from Clinch Valley College in 1983, and then a J.D. at Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1986.
So what has he done since 1986? Well, according to his campaign bio, he's basically been a professional politician, largely thanks to his family connections. He is now serving his fifth term in the Virginia House of Delegates, where he apparently hopes to remain for the rest of his life. As far as professional experience is concerned, that's about it for Terry Kilgore. Wow!
Rex McCarty: He was born the 8th of 12 children to a coal mining father and a full-time mother. He graduated from Twin Springs High School in 1980, elected treasurer of his senior class and also "Mr. Twin Springs." He then worked his way through college in tough jobs like tobacco growing, timber cutting, farming, and coal shoveling. He completed a 1-year certificate program in mining technology at MECC, then received an associate's degree in education. McCarty was elected President of the college's student government association in 1982.
After attending the University of Tennessee, he returned to Southwest Virginia and became involved in community activities. This is where the contrast with Terry Kilgore could not be greater. Here's a list of the things Rex McCarty has done, while Terry Kilgore was busy doing...well...whatever it is that family-connected, lifetime politicicans do in Richmond.
QUALIFICATIONS:* Local businessman for 20 years
* Founder of The Homeplace, historical mountain farm and museum
* 1997 Tourism Award, Southwest Virginia Blue Ridge Highlands Tourism Association (BRTA)
* Chairman, Gate City Economic Development & Revitalization Committee
* Chairman of Legislative Affairs, Southwest Virginia Agriculture Association
* Board of Directors member for the Appalachian Service Project
* Vice-Chair, Clinch Mountain Farmer's Market
* Member of the Scott County Chamber of Commerce
* Member of the Gate City Civitan Club
* Past President of the Lee County Area Chamber of Commerce
* Past Vice Chairman of the Scott County Industrial Development Authority (IDA)
* Past Vice Chairman of the Lee County Industrial Development Authority (IDA)
* Past Member of the Duffield Development Authority (DDA)
* Past Member of the Southwest Virginia Development Association
* Past President of the Pennington Gap Lions Club
* Member of the Virginia Association of Realtors
* Associate Member of the Appraisal Institute
* Member of the Gate City United Methodist Church (Adult Sunday School Teacher and Certified Lay Speaker)
* Adjunct Faculty member of Mountain Empire Community College
Slight contrast, here? Let's sum it up. Terry Kilgore is a professional politician who's never done much of anything in his life. Never started a business. Never worked shoveling coal. Never founded a historical mountain farm and museum. Never led the establishment of the Gate City Technology Zone. Never worked his butt off for 20 years. Never restored A.P. Carter's Cabin. Lots of "nevers" for Terry Kilgore.
In contrast, Rex McCarty has worked his butt off for the past 20 years for community economic development and an improved quality of life for all people in the First District. To put it starkly, Terry Kilgore is for the special interests and insiders. Rex McCarty is for everybody else. As the McCarty for Delegate website says, "[Rex] understands that true leadership means making decisions for the betterment of everyone. He's one of us, and we can trust him to take the values and vision we share as a community to Richmond."
Compare and contrast these two candidates and you'll quickly see. There's simply no contest.