"BEDFORD - Standing outside the Bedford County Courthouse on Saturday, Democrat Bern Ewert announced his plan to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode for his 5th District seat.

Ewert, a Charlottesville consultant, is well known in Virginia for his work in local government. He was the deputy city manager of Charlottesville in the 1970s, the city manager of Roanoke from 1978 to 1985 and the county executive of Prince William County from 1997 to 2000.

“We need a congressman with a proven record of leadership and accomplishment,” the 63-year-old said to the small crowd. “I have a record of accomplishment.”

Al Weed, a Nelson County vintner, is also campaigning for the Democratic ticket. Weed ran an unsuccessful campaign against Goode in 2004, winning 36 percent of the vote.

Weed and Ewert bring different experiences to the race, said Fred Hudson, chairman of the 5th Congressional District Democratic Committee.

He described Weed as a candidate with agricultural and military experience and Ewert as a candidate with experience in public policy decisions and city management.

“They come from two different places,” said Hudson. “Both places would be very useful.”

The candidates have until a mid-May primary or a nominating convention to convince their party that they are the best choice to defeat five-term Goode next year.

Ewert said he wants to challenge Goode’s positions on the economy, health care, Iraq and education policies.

“The first thing I would do (if elected) is rescind the tax cuts that have been given to the top 5 percent,” Ewert said in an interview early this week.

In his speech Saturday, he said his primary focus as a congressman would be strengthening and expanding the middle class by:

• protecting social security funds,

• creating affordable health care,

• working toward energy independence,

• creating jobs

• paying to further teacher’s education and

• providing a stipend for working mothers with young children.

He said his other two priorities would be strengthening the military and adding to a culture of moral leadership.

Addressing the war in Iraq, he said America should start withdrawing troops in the next 24 months.

“If there’s one thing I learned being a city manager it’s everyone needs deadlines and schedules, including the Iraqi people,” Ewert said.

Ewert kicked off his campaign with three appearances Saturday. He began his day in Charlottesville, announced his candidacy in Bedford and spoke later in Danville.

Ewert lives in Charlottesville with his wife, Janet. They have two children." (Blair Goldstein, Lynchburg News and Advance, December 4, 2005)