Republican Eric Zehr trounces incumbent Del. Matt Fariss in 3-way ...

Virginia House of Delegates Member Listings

Eric Zehr is from Lowville, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling from Liberty University. He and his wife, Jodi, have four children. He is an elder at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg.

Eric Zehr - Ballotpedia

Eric has worked as a farmer and a small business owner.

Eric is currently a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 51. He assumed office in 2024 and is serving his first term. He previously represented the Rustburg District on the Campbell County Board of Supervisors from 2014 to 2018.

Opposed the 2024 budget, believing it would not provide adequate tax relief for Virginians.

- Opposed the 2024 budget, believing it would not provide adequate tax relief for Virginians.

Economy

Plans to repeal "Democrat energy policies" and end the "Green Raw Deal" in Virginia.

Plans to repeal "Democrat energy policies."

- Plans to repeal "Democrat energy policies."

Energy & the Environment

Public Safety

Opposes teaching of "critical race theory" and the "1619 Project" in schools.

- Opposes teaching of "critical race theory" and the "1619 Project" in schools.

Education

Healthcare

Supports requiring in-person voting on Election Day and an auditable paper trail for ballots.

- Supports requiring in-person voting on Election Day and an auditable paper trail for ballots.

Voting & Elections

Eric R. Zehr

Eric Zehr is from Lowville, New York. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling from Liberty University. He lives with his wife, Jodi, and their four children in Rustburg, Virginia. He is an elder at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Lynchburg.

Eric is currently a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 51. He assumed office in 2024 and is currently serving his first term. He previously represented the Rustburg District on the Campbell County Board of Supervisors from 2014 to 2018.

James Auchincloss

Walter Ley

Buket Urgen

Joy is a mother to her son, Eli, whom she adopted through foster care. She has been active in organizations including Virginia FFA, Virginia 4-H, Chamblissburg Ruritans, Virginia Simmental Association, and the Virginia Farm Bureau.

Joy is a farmer and small business owner. She works on her family's 350-acre farm in Bedford, Virginia, where they raise cattle. She also founded Restore the Harvest, which provides sustainable agricultural education and resources worldwide.

Joy Powers - Ballotpedia

Joy's campaign for Virginia House of Delegates, District 51 is her first entry into politics.

Believes in fixing "unfair insurance rates that punish rural residents."

Supports local businesses and small-town economies, and wants to make it easier for businesses to start and grow.

Believes tax dollars should "stay local" and opposes investing in areas outside of District 51.

Believes tax dollars should "stay local" and supports greater investment in District 51.

Supports reducing bureaucratic obstacles for small farms and agribusinesses.

Supports expanding access to rural broadband.

- Believes in fixing "unfair insurance rates that punish rural residents."
- Supports local businesses and small-town economies, and wants to make it easier for businesses to start and grow.
- Believes tax dollars should "stay local" and supports greater investment in District 51.
- Supports reducing bureaucratic obstacles for small farms and agribusinesses.
- Supports expanding access to rural broadband.

Opposes "forced" solar development on family property.

Wants to "bring clean industry and long-term investment to our rural towns."

- Opposes "forced" solar development on family property.
- Wants to "bring clean industry and long-term investment to our rural towns."

Supports investing in law enforcement and first responders.

- Opposes "overreaching" gun bans.
- Supports investing in law enforcement and first responders.

Supports fully funding public schools and paying teachers a fair wage.

Supports expanding career and technical education (CTE), trades, and dual enrollment programs in high schools.

- Supports fully funding public schools and paying teachers a fair wage.
- Supports expanding career and technical education (CTE), trades, and dual enrollment programs in high schools.

Supports protecting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and healthcare.

Wants to expand access to rural health clinics and family doctors.

Supports emergency medical services, fire, and rescue services in underserved areas.

Believes emergency medical services and fire and rescue services in underserved areas need greater support.

Supports protecting maternal health and expanding mental health services.

Wants to make it easier and more affordable to care for aging parents.

- Supports protecting Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and healthcare.
- Wants to expand access to rural health clinics and family doctors.
- Believes emergency medical services and fire and rescue services in underserved areas need greater support.
- Supports protecting maternal health and expanding mental health services.
- Wants to make it easier and more affordable to care for aging parents.

As of September 17, 2025, Joy A. Powers’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Joy A. Powers

Joy Powers lives and works on her family’s 350-acre farm in Bedford, Virginia, where they raise cattle. She is a mother to her son, Eli, whom she adopted through foster care. She has been active in organizations including Virginia FFA, Virginia 4-H, Chamblissburg Ruritans, Virginia Simmental Association, and the Virginia Farm Bureau.

Joy is a farmer and small business owner. She works on her familyu2019s 350-acre farm in Bedford, Virginia, where they raise cattle. She also founded Restore the Harvest, which provides sustainable agricultural education and resources worldwide.

Joy is a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 51. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. 

Wants to invest in small business growth, job training, and apprenticeships.

Opposes "backroom deals & political retaliation" in local government, believing it should serve the people, not special interests.

- The Virginia General Assembly, made up of the House of Delegates and the State Senate, is responsible for creating state laws.  
- Your state delegate serves your local district in the Virginia House of Delegates, advocating for your community's needs and interests.  
- Delegates have the power to write, sponsor, and vote on proposed legislation, including all bills related to the state budget, which begin in the House of Delegates.  
- The House of Delegates consists of 100 members, each elected to represent one district.  
- Delegates serve two-year terms and receive an annual salary of $17,640.