Lingamfelter kicks off campaign in Dale City

Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter talked mainly about Republican philosophy Saturday during his campaign kickoff for the 31st Virginia House of Delegates seat.

He talked about the Constitution, accountability and   smaller state government.
Lingamfelter, who was first elected to the Virginia General assembly in 2001, defended the Constitution.

“There are people who believe today that the Constitution is no more than a collection of suggestions,”said Lingamfelter, a retired U.S. Army colonel. “It’s not a collection of suggestions It is the law of the land.”

Lingamfelter also defended Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Gov. Bob McDonnell, who are fighting the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which would require that  people purchase health care insurance.

He said the fight is a principled one. 

“The fight over Obamacare is not about health care, it’s about the Constitution. It’s about your freedom,” said the 60-year-old father of three.

“If the government can tell you what you’re going to buy, it can tell you just about anything,” he said.

Lingamfelter reminded about 140 supporters at VFW Post 1503 in Dale City that he sponsored legislation that established an independent audit system to hold state government accountable.

“The audit bill is at work in Virginia and we’re finding waste fraud and abuse,” he said. “We’re a state that is committed to reducing red tape. We’re a state that is committed reduce wasteful spending.” 

Lingamfelter railed against the state of the economy and said the only way to fix things was to elect the right kind of leaders and said he would work to lead the best way he could.

“We need leaders who are willing to reduce the size of government,” he said.“We need leaders who will act to get government out of your home, out of your wallet and out of your way.”

“If we have that kind of government we will in fact unleash a productive spirit and an energy that will really bring us out of this mess,” he said.

Lingamfelter will face Democrat Roy D.  Coffey in the general election in November.

Senior reporter Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.