Rural Madison to host forum for delegate race

The two candidates for 30th District seat in the House of Delegates will meet again Monday night in downtown Madison.

Rural Madison, a citizens group dedicated to responsible growth, hosts the incumbent, Del. Ed Scott, R-Madison, and challenger, Matt Carson, a Culpeper independent, in a forum 7 p.m. at the Madison County administration building on Main Street.

The two candidates met for a similar event Wednesday night in Madison put on by a local women’s club.

Both men said they were looking forward to talking with voters about local issues in preparation for the Nov. 3 election.

As former chairman of the Madison County Planning Commission, Scott, 44, said he’s familiar with issues important in that community.

“I don’t know that there’s any extra preparation that goes into it, but certainly am looking forward to being with that group,” Scott said. “The campaign and listening to voters continues, and it will next week.”

He mentioned his attention to upholding the values of rural Virginia through work he’s done on the state agriculture committee and his personal interest in land conservation through the purchase of development rights.

In Madison, Scott went on, he’s helped the local government “adjust to the balancing act (of having) a relatively limited tax base and yet a desire to stay rural and agriculturally focused.”

Carson, 34, said the previous forum with Del. Scott went well. An avid fly fisherman and Web development entrepreneur, Carson said he was “truly enjoying” the opportunity to run in the House election.

“I’m learning a lot from the voters, and I hope to have the chance to serve them by ensuring fiscal responsibility and renewing our respect for our rivers and land,” he said.

Talking with voters has been Carson’s favorite part of the campaign. He said he supports and respects the group hosting the forum, adding, “They are a proactive organization with the tools to get local communities working together with the state.”

The 30th District encompasses Orange, Madison and Culpeper counties. Scott has served as its delegate for six years.