The Shadow
To the Editor:
We’ve watched surrounding communities grow—new opportunities, businesses, and infrastructure transforming places that used to look just like ours. Meanwhile, Covington continues to wait. Even after millions of dollars in state investment, we’re still struggling to meet our economic development goals. And many of us are asking: why?
When our community faced the uncertainty around Covington Middle School, it became even more clear—we didn’t need more bureaucracy, we needed real leadership. Someone who would show up, ask the hard questions, and stand with families through it all. We noticed who was there. And we noticed who wasn’t.
Austen Schwend is offering voters in District 37 something we haven’t had in a while: a genuine alternative—and I’m proud to stand with him in the upcoming Republican primary.
Austen is one of us—a father, a small business owner, and a voice grounded in the values of our region. Raised in Bath County and now raising his own family in Botetourt, he understands what it means to build from the ground up and stay rooted in the place you call home.
He’s not part of the establishment, and he’s not running to protect a title. His campaign isn’t driven by polished talking points or pre-written form letters—it’s fueled by real conversations, honest questions, and a deep respect for the people he hopes to represent.
The current officeholder has been in Richmond for over 11 years and re-elected six times. But elections aren’t supposed to be automatic. They are our chance to demand more—to ask whether the people we send to represent us are truly doing so.
Citizens of Covington deserve better. We deserve someone who doesn’t just know our zip code but understands our challenges and shares our hopes. There comes a time when even the most well-worn chair needs to be replaced—not because it didn’t serve its purpose, but because it no longer fits the room.
That time is now. Let’s choose new leadership. Let’s choose Austen Schwend.
