Sept. 14, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: In his speech at the Buena Vista Labor Day, Ben Cline sarcastically observed that Dems gathered there were not from BV. True, some of us weren’t. However … 1. Sometimes in the past, Liberty University — located in Lynchburg, not BV — would send a busload of Republicans to the event. Didn’t bother Ben any; he happily welcomed them.
2. Even if not from BV itself, we weren’t jetted in from Michigan (where Ben went recently, supporting a GOP candidate, while collecting his salary funded by our taxes). Most of us were from the 6th District, with shared concerns. He’s supposed to represent all of us, not just BV.
3. Ben has not held a town hall for months. If not during the Labor Day in BV, how can Dems — from Lexington, Rockbridge County and further away — determine that he’s not some phantom, AIcreated for TV ads?
4. Ben was not the only candidate on the podium. There were two who are running statewide. That was our best chance to hear them both, before we vote.
For a Congressional representative, Ben’s snide remarks were not only divisive but beyond infantile. Disqualifying. I shall be voting for Beth Macy and encourage everyone to do likewise.
TAMARA P. DUVALL Lexington
