Hillary Pugh Kent Earns Support of Local Watermen, Announces Watermen for Hillary Coalition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2023

Contact: campaign@hillarypughkentva.com

Warsaw, Virginia – Today, Republican Hillary Pugh Kent announced the support of Spencer Headley, George Verlander, Tommy Kellum, and Thomas Preston as well as the launch of "Watermen for Hillary," a coalition of watermen and seafood industry leaders throughout the 67th district who are committed to protecting the centuries old trade in our region.

"I was born and raised in the Northern Neck. I understand the huge impact that the hardworking watermen who harvest blue crabs, oysters, fish, clams, and other seafood make on our regional and statewide economy," said Kent. "I also appreciate the generational family tradition of the trade and will work tirelessly to protect our way of life.

"We need a Delegate in Richmond who will stand up and preserve our heritage, and I trust Hillary to do just that," said Spencer Headley of Headley Seafood. “She will fight for our industry and protect our natural recourses for future generations.”

George Verlander, 4th generation commercial fisherman and waterman in the Northern Neck offered his support of Hillary Kent for Delegate. "It will be good to have someone with a common sense approach and a down home way of thinking representing the great people of District 67."

Tommy Kellum, 3rd generation owner of W. E. Kellum, Inc. in Weems, Virginia offered his support of Hillary Kent as our next Delegate. In 1948, W. Ellery Kellum started a one room oyster shucking house on the shores of Carters Creek and not far from the Chesapeake Bay. For over 60 years the company has been in continuous operation and continuous family ownership. Today W. E. Kellum, Inc. is owned and operated by Ellery’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Thomas Preston representing 5th Day Fisheries said, "I am proud of Hillary Pugh Kent and I know she will do all she can to make a difference for both generations of watermen represented within our business and the many other hardworking citizens in our district that depend on the natural resources that surround us."

The newly configured House of Delegates 67th District (formerly the 99th) includes the counties of: Caroline (part), King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland.