Sayre sets hopes on Sen. Hanger's seat by James Jacenich • Staff Writer
MONTEREY -Scott Sayre, 48, was born and reared in Waynesboro. His youth was characterized by paper routes, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, door to door sales, restaurant cooking and cleaning, he says.
 | | Scott Sayre is seeking the Republican nomination for senator from Virginia's 24th district. Sayre, who lives in Lexington, owns property in Head Waters and hunts turkey near Williamsville. He says he can provide the leadership needed in Richmond and bases that assertion on his conservative values and work ethic. (Recorder photo by James Jacenich) |
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These experiences, he says, formed his opinions about work and helped prepare him for public office - early examples of a life oriented around family, faith and freedom.
Before a gathering of 17 people Monday at The Highland Center, Sayre announced he is running for the Republican nomination for state senator from Virginia's 24th district, a seat currently held by Emmett Hanger Jr.
It was his fifth stop of the day in the district.
"My campaign is based on a positive vision for Virginia and our Shenandoah Valley: a place where people have the opportunity to succeed and thrive without undue government interference from job-killing taxes and regulation; which upholds our time-honored conservative values of faith, family and freedom; and which respects and protects the rights of law abiding citizens, without rewarding those who choose to break the law," he says.
Sayre says he will run a positive campaign, and though he doesn't have a platform yet he promises he will have one by mid-March.
He has been exploring running for senate for the past six weeks, he says, adding he was drawn into the campaign by what he sees as differences in leadership style.
"I have solutions," he says. "I will not give you answers without action."
He says he will address the issues of ever-increasing taxes and out-of-control government spending, if elected.
"I will support the process of government," he says. His style and business experience will make it easier for him to solve disagreements than for the incumbent, he asserts.
But campaigns cost money and he needs support, he says. "It's going to take a lot of money," says Sayre. "Whoever raises the most money wins. I have got to advertise."
Lack of name recognition is a problem he needs to overcome, he said. His wife passed around a petition to get his name on the ballot, and he handed out bumper stickers and posters.
"I will have a booth at the Maple Festival," he says. "By then I will have a platform. We are still putting the pieces together. Today I am talking about who I am."
Sayre graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1976. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute where he earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1980 and was subsequently commissioned in the Army. He earned a master's degree from Liberty University in 1993 and moved to Lexington in 1994. He was in the Army for nine years, serving in Germany, Alabama and New York.
In August, 1980 he married Mary Brandt, a Chicago native whose parents lived in Waynesboro. They have two children who have graduated from Rockbridge County High School.
He has been a Scout master; chairman of the board of directors of the Rockbridge Area Occupational Center; founder and board member of the Rockbridge County Public Schools Educational Foundation Parents Council; and chairman of the Buena Vista Business Development Council.
He is a turkey hunter and owns a partial share in a hunting camp in Williamsville.
Sayre founded Sayre Enterprises in 1987, which employs 117 people in light manufacturing, retail, wholesale and direct sales with an annual payroll more than $3 million. The company has annual sales of $10 million.
Sayre Enterprises is the largest employer of adults with disabilities in Rockbridge County, he says. He started Sayre Enterprises in Anniston, Ala., in his garage with one product. In 1999, he purchased a 30,000-square-foot building on a 10-acre site in Buena Vista where he consolidated manufacturing and administration.
His company manufactures tactical and outdoor gear, safety products, embroidered goods, screen printed apparel, engraved and sublimated products, promotional products and other items, he says.
For more information visit www.sayreforsenate.com.
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