Susan Allen with left to right Lethia Hammond, Christine Broughton, Allen, Wade Anderson, Back: John Alexander and Jeff Stritesky.

Susan Allen once a first lady of Virginia and wife of former Governor and Republican Senatorial candidate George Allen, came to Botetourt County and Greenfield Training and Education Center on Monday, April 30. On a campaign stop for her husband, the personable Susan Allen shared time with a number of Botetourt business owners and elected officials.

Explaining why George Allen is running once again for the Senate seat he lost to Jim Webb, Susan Allen said, “My husband does not believe the country is going in the right direction.” A confirmed conservative, George Allen is currently in a race with three other candidates for the Republican nomination. The June Republican primary will choose the candidate who will challenge another former Governor, Democrat Tim Kaine.

During the course of an hour Allen spoke candidly with many different business owners in attendance. Barbara Kolb who described herself as a farmer and is the owner of Blue Ridge Vineyard and a retired teacher, said to Allen, “The wine industry is growing. There are now over 200 wineries. We appreciate the tourism assistance that the state has given.” Rud Peters who owns a landscape business said he is “swamped with work but no complaints.” Then he said, “I’d like to sell.”

John Rader a local stockbroker commanded that whoever is elected, the partisan fighting in Congress must stop that it is ruining the country. Terry Austin Buchanan Supervisors said he hopes that if Allen is elected, that he can work with Sen. Mark Warner. Susan Allen mentioned that George Allen has worked with Warner before. Larry Ceola asked Susan Allen about the uncertain future many feel. He said, “The unknown is taking its toll for many and taking a chance to hire more employees or new equipment is scary.” She replied, “Many Americans are tired about being worried and concerned for our country. We have to be positive.”  She added to be positive in November with the election.

Among talking points she discussed were coal, off shore drilling, gasoline prices, energy, energy costs, healthcare and business taxes. She pointed out that during Allen’s time as governor, 300,000 jobs were created (including JTek and Virginian Forge in Botetourt.) During Kaine’s administration she noted, “100,000 jobs were lost.”

Susan Allen speaks of clean coal energy.

She asked all Botetourt Republicans to support George Allen as an Ambassador for George Allen. “Tell someone you know to support George Allen.  Tell them a good George Allen story.”