Osborne announces candidacy for House seat

Michael “Oz” Osborne of Glade Spring announced he is running as an independent for the 5th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates.
He is a former Republican Congressional candidate who once opposed former Rep. Rick Boucher.
The seat will be vacated by Del. Bill Carrico (R-Grayson), who is running for the Virginia Senate seat held by retiring Sen. William Wampler Jr. of Bristol.
Osborne, 54, owns Our Father’s House Christian bookstore in Glade Spring.
As a result of redistricting, the new 5th District seat now includes Grayson County, parts of Smyth and Washington counties, and the cities of Galax and Bristol.
In a speech to a crowd gathered in front of his bookstore, Osborne stressed the importance of honesty in the political process, such as in redistricting.
He said that what he lacks in political experience, he can make up for with life experience and common sense.
Referring to himself as “Little Joe,” Osborne stated that he would shadow veteran Del. Joe Johnson of Washington County to learn all he could.
 “Should I be elected, I will only owe the people in the 5th District. Not a political party! Not a special interest group!  Not a big money donor.  I will be accountable only to God and the people I represent.”
The Republican nominee for the 5th House seat is Israel O’Quinn of Washington County.

Michael "Oz" Osborne