RVDW April 2026 Meeting: CD9 Democratic Candidates

The referendum votes are counted and “YES” has won! Now we await the final decision of the Virginia Supreme Court. If the new maps are implemented, many voters in the Roanoke Valley will see a change to their district. Click here to see how the new district map impacts you.

All three announced candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 9th Congressional District will join us at our monthly meeting. Please come meet the candidates.

Friday, April 24
Noon – 1:00
Williamson Road Library

Meal service will not be available at this meeting. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch to enjoy during the meeting.

While an RSVP for this meeting is not required, we appreciate you taking time to help us get a headcount for our meeting.  

CD9 Democratic Primary Candidates Attending
(In order of information received.)

Joy Powers
Email: joy@joyforva.com
Website: www.JoyforVA.com

Joy Powers is a fourth-generation farmer, small business owner, and community leader from Bedford County running for Congress in Virginia’s 9th District. Raised on her family’s cattle farm and in their farm equipment business, she studied Agriculture at Virginia Tech and brings a lived understanding of rural economies and agriculture.

Joy has served in local leadership roles including the Bedford County Agricultural Economic Development Advisory Board and as Superintendent of the Bedford County Fair. She is the founder of Restore the Harvest, a nonprofit focused on agricultural education, sustainability, and advocacy, including efforts to end child marriage and promote ethical community development.

A mother through foster care and adoption, Joy believes government should be practical, accountable, and rooted in real life. Her HOME Plan focuses on Healthcare, Opportunity, Market affordability, and Education. She is running to ensure Southwest Virginia has a voice in Washington that is honest, grounded, and unafraid to stand up for rural communities.

Joy describes herself as “the rural candidate for a rural district.”

Douglas Crocket
Email: dougcrockett@crockettnow.com
Website: www.Crockettnow.com

Douglas Crockett is a Ninth District native. He was born and raised in Wythe County, Virginia. He was a student athlete at Fort Chiswell High School and Emory and Henry College (1979 B.A. in Business & Economics). He went on to seminary in 1982 and then law school at William & Mary in 1995. He retired in 2023 as a United Methodist pastor after 30 years of active service and retired from the practice of law in Virginia in 2025. From 2014 to 2023 he operated his own law practice and served a United Methodist Church as pastor in the same town. He is married to Rita Crockett, who is also a Ninth District native from Vansant, Virginia in Buchanan County. They met at Emory and Henry. They have a son and daughter and three grandchildren. Douglas lives in Wytheville above Turning Heads Salon, owned by his oldest daughter, who is mother of three and grandmother of one. Rita helps care for her ailing parents in Vansant.

“My campaign tagline is: For American Unity, Maturity, and Prosperity. Start Here! I will explain why American and Ninth District Prosperity will not happen without Unity and Prosperity should not happen without our Maturity.”

Adam Murphy
Email: contact@murphy4va.com
Website: www.Murphy4va.com

Adam Murphy is a software developer from Roanoke County. After doing a nationwide search, Adam & his wife chose SWVA for their forever home & where to raise their family. As a first-time candidate, Adam never aspired to be a politician. After witnessing the atrocities in the early months of the second Trump administration & the destruction of our systems caused by DOGE, Adam felt a calling to bring about meaningful change & he announced his congressional candidacy in June of 2025. Adam’s family lost their century farm due to medical debt & years later their home in the housing crisis. He has lived the pain & frustration of a system that is rigged to keep the poor struggling & the rich flourishing. Adam is a strong proponent of Medicare for All; supporting rural healthcare, which includes incentives to bring medical professionals to SWVA; bringing economic opportunities to the region; building a strong labor force; improving infrastructure; protecting our resources; and, strengthening agriculture where farmers can thrive, not just barely get by. Adam Murphy takes inspiration from FDR & Boucher. His campaign is creating a movement of real change for SWVA. Adam has the passion, the energy & a unique skill set to make sure that our district is seen, is heard & to end the neglect of SWVA.