Candidate seeks to bring proven leadership to District 56 seat
BUCKINGHAM — Buckingham County Supervisor and Former Board Chairman Thomas Jordan Miles III, who has served as a leader in numerous community and civic groups for many years in Buckingham County and the region, is announcing his candidacy for member of the House of Delegates 56th District. Miles is running as a write-in candidate.
The election is Nov. 7.
Miles’ campaign motto is “proven leadership you can trust”— the same he used when he successfully ran for Board of Supervisors in 2019.
“I entered the race to give people a choice, just like I did in 2019 when I ran for County Supervisor.” Miles said. “I think it’s important for the sake of democracy for people to have options when they’re voting for someone to represent them in all levels of government—local, state, and federal. Options are important when voting in this cornerstone of our American process that should be protected, especially when integrity—in a major way—is on the ballot in this district.”
“Just as I did in 2019, it’s important we emphasize the importance of good governance and policy making that includes everyone,” Miles said. “When you listen to people’s lived experiences, and their successes and struggles, it becomes less about politics and more about the similarities we all have, no matter our ideological leanings.”
Miles’ priority issues include fully funding our schools, protecting women’s reproductive rights, investing in greater access to public transportation and infrastructure, increasing support for our older adults, addressing and supporting the state’s behavioral health system, and building better, healthier communities with more jobs. In addition, Miles pledges to maintain consistent communication with constituents and community stakeholders, work with localities to boost economic development and job creation while seeking to assist small businesses in expansion, and being held accountable and accessible to the people of the 56th House District.
Miles has served as a key member of the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors, where he has served as chairman of two committees—one studying economic development for the county and another that responded to the State Study on the Effects of Gold Mining in the Commonwealth (debate has been ongoing for more than two years about the potential impact of mining for gold in Buckingham).
Miles, who served as Chairman of the Board in 2022, serves on the committees on finance, utilities, economic development, gold mine study response, courthouse repairs and renovation, and the Anti Litter Task Force.
He also represents Buckingham on the Crossroads Community Services Board and Commonwealth Regional Council, where he serves as Treasurer and Chairman of its Finance Committee.
While on the Board, Miles also
- Led the way and voted to decrease the Real Estate Tax Rate by three cents in 2020 – .55 cents to .52 cents per $100 of assessed value
- Fought and advocated to bring Centra Medical Group to the vacant Buckingham Family Medicine Building — a $750K investment, bringing 5 jobs to the county and more quality healthcare options
- Voted to invest $1.5 million to bring high speed internet to Dominion Energy customers
- Advocated and worked with state legislators to push CenturyLink to invest in their aging infrastructure and respond with greater urgency to telephone repairs
- Advocated for more than $170,000 in CARES Act Funds for small businesses that suffered during the pandemic
- Supported continued economic and community development in voting to approve small businesses and their expansion
- Advocated for public schools: Voted for increased funding for public schools, increased teacher pay, bonuses for school employees, hot spots for school children during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and physical upgrades to our schools.
- Advocated and helped lead the way to bring vaccinations for COVID-19 to Buckingham and helped residents gain access to them
- Supported transition to county-run emergency medical services/rescue squad
- Restarted the effort for cleaner roadways in Buckingham by energizing the Buckingham Anti Litter Task Force
- Advocated for an unwanted prescription drug drop box in the sheriff’s office lobby
- Led the compromise to protect private property and environmental rights while remaining business-friendly in defining core drilling for commercial purposes as by-right in certain zoning districts
- Voted for several debt restructuring plans to save taxpayers’ money with lower interest rates
Miles, who has lived in Buckingham nearly his entire life, is a native of Buckingham County, and was raised in Glenmore, where he attends church and serves as a Eucharstic Minister and Junior Warden at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Miles is involved in many activities and organizations in Buckingham County. As a member of the Buckingham Chamber of Commerce, he serves as President on the board of directors. He is director of nutrition and transportation at Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging.
“They, along with my father and mother, taught me that these three principles can enable you to do just about anything you want — and now I want to represent the good people of the 56th House District in the Virginia General Assembly.”
“Just as my grandfather was, I am a moderate Democrat,” Miles said. “Like him, I stand for principled leadership, integrity, and faith in my fellow human. Though being a moderate Democrat who is fiscally conservative may be my heritage, it does not define me. Being a public servant for the good people of the 56th House District does,” Miles said.
For more information on Miles’ candidacy, contact him at 434-390-7023, email writeinmiles@gmail.com
Maysville District Supervisor Thomas Jordan Miles III 