A crowd of over 200 Russell County Democrats gathered on Saturday, May 9, 2009, to hold their convention to nominate candidates for the two local positions of Commonwealth’s Attorney and Treasurer that will be on the ballot this November because of vacancies in those offices.

The current Commonwealth’s Attorney, Brian K. Patton, was unanimously selected as the Democratic nominee by acclimation, having been the only candidate seeking the nomination. Patton was nominated by Senator Phillip Puckett and seconded by Randy Williams, Commissioner of Revenue. In doing so, Sen. Puckett stated that “Brian is the right man for the job. He has the qualifications, experience, and the moral character this position requires.” Williams stated, “I am very proud of Brian, as people often come up to me and speak highly of Brian and the excellent work he does representing our children, our elderly, our families, and all of Russell County’s citizens.”

In response to receiving the nomination for Commonwealth’s Attorney, Patton stated that he was very honored and humbled by the support and confidence he has received from so many people all across the county. “I am going to continue working to the best of my abilities representing the citizens of Russell County and making sure our county is known as being tough on crime,” stated Patton.

The special election to fill these two positions – Commonwealth’s Attorney and Treasurer – will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, along with the regular elections for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and House of Delegates Members in the 2nd and 3rd Districts.

After being well represented for over a decade by the former Commonwealth’s Attorney, Mike Bush, Russell County has a new top prosecutor. Mike Bush was recently tapped by the Virginia General Assembly to serve as Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge.

On Thursday, April 2, 2009, Brian K. Patton was sworn in as Russell County’s new Commonwealth’s Attorney and will serve in that role until a Special Election is held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Brian has announced his candidacy to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination and hopes to continue in his role as the Commonwealth’s Attorney of Russell County. “Brian is unopposed for the Democratic nomination and will be our candidate in November for the Special Election,” said Steve Banner, Chairman of Russell County’s Democratic Committee. Banner stated, “Brian’s continued service as Commonwealth’s Attorney is a great asset to Russell County and its citizens.”

Brian has worked under Mike Bush in the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office since July, 2007. Prior to that, Brian was engaged in the private practice of law. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Emory & Henry College, in Emory, Virginia, and attended law school at the Ohio Northern University, in Ada, Ohio. Brian grew up in Dickenson County and his parents still reside there. He and his wife, Jayne, live in Lebanon.

Brian said that, “prescription drug abuse continues to be a serious issue facing Russell County and affecting so many lives of our citizens.” Brian continued, “I am going to make tackling our county’s prescription drug problem a top priority.” He stated, “the drug problem has become an epidemic, spanning generations, that we have to aggressively fight.”

Members of law enforcement are eager to continue working with Brian as the new Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Russell County’s Sheriff, Steve Dye said, “Brian will bring the same high-standards to the Commonwealth Attorney’s office that we have grown accustomed to with Mike Bush. Law Enforcement officers and the citizens of Russell County will continue to be well represented by someone that is always accessible and determined to make Russell County a great place to live.”

The Town of Lebanon’s Chief of Police, Mark Mitchell said, “Brian is a perfect fit for Commonwealth’s Attorney and received excellent training under Mike Bush. He brings his own innovative approach and zeal to the prosecution of crimes, which serves to maintain the safety and security of the citizens of the Town of Lebanon and Russell County.”

Brian says he “is looking forward to continuing the excellent partnerships between his office and local law enforcement agencies, and working as a team to keep Russell County safe and known for being tough on crime.”

Brian was recently selected to serve as the March of Dimes‘ Honorary Chairman. Nikki Hicks, the March of Dimes Community Director for the Greater Blue Ridge Division, said “over the years, Brian has fought hard for children’s rights in the courtroom. What better person to have on the side of the March of Dimes, fighting for the heath of all babies.”

Brian said, ‘he is proud to be a part of an organization and event that are so important and historic.’ The organization was originally formed in 1938, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and its primary work was the crusade against the nationwide epidemic known as poliomyelitis, which is commonly referred to as polio. . . . ‘As a child, I remember discussing the March of Dimes organization in school and the historic service it provided to so many with the help of President Roosevelt. One of my fondest childhood memories is going around bumming for dimes to turn in for the March of Dimes,’ said Patton.

See the Lebanon News article for the full story.

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On Thursday, March 26, 2009, at the Russell County Democratic Committee Meeting, Brian announced his candidacy for Commonwealth’s Attorney. As always, a great group of Russell County Democrats were gathered for the Committee meeting. The Committee met to finalize plans for the upcoming Convention to select the Democratic nominees that will be running for the two open seats of Treasurer and Commonwealth’s Attorney.

In asking for the party’s nomination, Brian said that “the only thing I can promise this committee and party is that I will work every day trying to be the best Commonwealth’s Attorney possible and represent Russell County and this Democratic Party to the best of my abilities.” Brian further stated that, “although I am currently unopposed for the Democratic nomination, if another candidate emerges and I am not fortunate enough to be your candidate, I will absolutely vow to support our party’s nominee in November.” Brian also thanked the Committee and everyone there for their continued support and confidence as he transitions into being the new Commonwealth’s Attorney, a post that was vacated by Michael J. Bush, when he was elected as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge in the Twenty-Ninth Judicial Circuit.

The Russell County Democratic Committee will hold its Mass Meeting on April 18, 2009, at the Lebanon Middle School, and its nominating convention on May 9, 2009, also at the Lebanon Middle School. The last day to file as a delegate to the convention or as a candidate is March 31, 2009. Please contact Steve Banner, Chairman of Russell County Democratic Committee, if you are interested in serving as a delegate.

Welcome to the Brian Patton for Commonwealth’s Attorney for Russell County’s new campaign website. Between now and the Special Election in November, this is the place to watch for updates about Brian’s campaign.

The Special Election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Although that seems like a long way off now, time flies and a few months can go by in a blink of an eye.

If you have not met Brian yet, please give him a call, shoot him an email, or drop by the Courthouse in Lebanon on about any day, at about any time, and say hello.