Justin Faulconer

BEDFORD — Four candidates running to represent much of the Lynchburg area in the Virginia General Assembly, two incumbents and two challengers, sat side-by-side in Bedford on Thursday while speaking on their positions on a variety of topics facing voters in the Nov. 4 election.

Del. Tim Griffin, R-Bedford, and Del. Eric Zehr, R-Rustburg, each seek a second term in the state legislature in a crucial year for Republicans hoping to overturn a slim Democratic 51-49 majority in the House and maintain the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general seats for the GOP.

Amherst resident and Democrat Sam Soghor is challenging Griffin for the House 53 District seat for the second time in three years; the seat includes Amherst County and parts of Bedford and Nelson counties.

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