DeWald withdraws from consideration in 20th GOP race

Augusta Free Press columnist Chris DeWald has withdrawn from consideration for the 20th House District Republican nomination.
DeWald, the vice chairman of Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery, a Staunton-based brain-injury advocacy group, cited his concerns with his medical history in a letter to 20th District Republican chair Carl Tate.

“The fast-paced rigors of the position coupled with my personality and desire to run for the position conflicts with my current medical outlook. It is with a heavy mixed feeling that given my future medical outlook, the party could be affected. It is with that reason that I have to withdraw,” DeWald said in the letter.

DeWald was the water-plant manager in the Department of Public Works in Staunton before suffering a series of strokes in 2006. He has been a vocal force in brain-injury advocacy since recovering.

DeWald said in his letter that he is endorsing David Karaffa of Stuarts Draft among the seven candidates remaining for the nomination, which will be decided in a public forum at Buffalo Gap High School Monday night.

“He is the only one of the seven that remain that is out there in the public,” DeWald said of Karaffa. “I have seen and heard him in Gypsy Hill Park. He is ‘out there’ with the people. The others lack that motivation and drive. We need someone vibrant that is going after the position because he desires to be part of the solution and will work hard for the party. He is young enough to run for many years and not to be just a figurehead. I applaud his efforts in obtaining such medical credentials in such a short time. That shows desire and people skills. That is what the party that I love needs. We do not need someone who will just want the name of the position, but go out and be the reorganized Republican Party.”

– Story by Chris Graham