2009 Elections: Don Merricks to face challenger for 16th District

The Pittsylvania County Democratic Committee voted Monday night to nominate a political newcomer to run against Delegate Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County, in November.

Merricks, who is serving his first term, will face Java resident Shawn Palmer, 27, for the 16th District seat. Merricks won the seat in 2007 with 64 percent of the vote.

Palmer was the only applicant for the nomination. The 16th District includes most of Pittsylvania County, part of eastern Henry County and most of Martinsville.

Palmer, a New Jersey native, moved to the area in 2005 to attend Averett University before later transferring to North Carolina A&T State University to study business and international studies. Sixteen credits shy of graduating, Palmer quit school to take care of his mother, who suffers from pancreatic cancer. He worked in human resources for Televista but was laid off in October 2008 and cares for his mother full-time.

“I think that Mr. Palmer is a very enthusiastic gentleman,” said committee chairman Robert Neals. “He’s young and inexperienced but he’s willing to try. He knows Mr. Merricks is a formidable opponent, and (Palmer) has no previous political experience but with the passion that he has I think he’ll do a good job.”

Palmer addressed about 18 members of the committee Monday night in the General District courtroom in Chatham, answering questions about uranium mining and whether felons should regain the right to vote. He vehemently opposes uranium mining and generally agreed with the current practice of dealing with felons and voting on a case-by-case basis.

“I run not to oppose any one man but to oppose policies,” Palmer said. “I am convinced that the 16th District is on a perilous course of lawlessness, intimidation and interrogation … The people aren’t properly being represented.”

After the meeting, Palmer specified that he felt Richmond was promoting uranium mining and “old school politics run amuck.” He supports farmers’ unions and local sharecroppers and pushed for education reform.

“It’s sad to say but some kids are going to slip through the cracks and be the next felons,” he said. “I want to put a pre-emptive strike on that and get Richmond to see what is going on here in Pittsylvania County.”

Ronnie Mayhew Jr., chairman of the Pittsylvania County Republican Committee, was not familiar with Palmer, but seemed confident in Merricks’ campaign for a second term in the House of Delegates.

“We’re excited to see that Don is running for re-election,” Mayhew said. “He’s done a great job representing not just the Republican Party but all of the people of the 16th District. We have no doubt that he’ll be going back to Richmond.”