Sen. Mark Warner

While national and statewide political candidates are competing for headlines, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.,  is beginning a three-day trip across Southwest Virginia Wednesday and his itinerary includes a Thursday visit to the New River Valley.

Warner will tour the  Volvo Trucks North America plan in Dublin and speak with managers there on Thursday afternoon, according to the senator’s office. That’s one of just nine public appearances Warner will make in Southwest Virginia this week. The Democratic senator, who is not on the ballot this year, will talk about his legislative efforts to promote new manufacturing jobs and small business development, and his ongoing work on reducing federal budget deficits and debt.

Warner will visit Jonesville and Big Stone Gap today. On Thursday, he has events scheduled in Buchanan County and Bluefield before he comes to Dublin. He also will speak with young professionals and community leaders at the Wytheville Golf Club Thursday evening.

On Friday, Warner wraps up his tour with stops in Marion and Abingdon before attending the Food City 250 Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

– Michael Sluss