Home Background Testimonials Student Programs Adult Programs Video Clips Recent Clients In The News On The Farm Contact Information	Lohr Running For Re-Election Wife Says Her Cancer Battle Won't Interfere In Husband's House Bid Del. Matt Lohr, R-Broadway, announces he will run for another term in the House of Delegates at Court Square on Monday afternoon. Fellow Republicans give him high praise for his service in the General Assembly. By Jeff Mellott HARRISONBURG - Andrea Lohr said Monday that her public battle with breast cancer should not raise any concerns about her husband Matt's priorities when it comes to serving in the House of Delegates. "He works very hard in his job as a delegate, but he also keeps his family as a top priority," she said while standing with her husband near the steps of the Rockingham County Courthouse. She made her remarks during her husband's formal announcement for re-election at the Rockingham County Courthouse. The Republican delegate faces a challenge in his bid for a third two-year term in the Nov. 3 election. Democrat Gene Hart of Harrisonburg is seeking his party's nomination to face Lohr. Democrats will settle the nomination during a May 14 meeting at the Harrisonburg City Council chambers. Family Support Andrea Lohr, 34, wearing a pink ribbon emblematic of her battle with cancer, said her husband's decision to seek another term was with the family's input and blessing. She said her chemotherapy treatments seem to be working. The Lohrs said her condition has prompted comments from some people about whether her husband could or should continue to serve in the General Assembly. "Matthew has demonstrated that he can be a great husband and father while tackling the job of serving in the legislature at the same time," she said. Re-Election Bid Lohr represents the 26th House District, which consists of all of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County from Dayton north to West Virginia and Shenandoah County, and then east to Massanutten Mountain. Lohr, 37, co-owner of a Broadway-area farm that has been in his family for more than 100 years, was first elected in 2005. He won an open seat that year in a hotly contested race with Linville Democrat Lowell Fulk, who is the current Rockingham County Democratic chairman. Two years ago, Lohr soundly defeated Harrisonburg City Councilwoman Carolyn Frank, who sought the office as an independent. In his first announcement speech four years ago, Lohr promised to keep taxes low, preserve agriculture, improve education and promote family values. Supporters at Monday's noontime rally said Lohr has kept his promises. "Matt has delivered for the people of the Shenandoah Valley, consistently," said state Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg. U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke, speaking to those on hand for the announcement, said Lohr believes in individual responsibility, free enterprise and limited government. "Matt has been a real leader for this area in the General Assembly," Goodlatte said. Stimulus Differences But Lohr has taken some heat for his vote last week for the state to turn down $125 million in federal stimulus funds. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's efforts to collect the money were defeated. To get the funds, the General Assembly would have had to change its unemployment benefits policy to include part-time employees, a first for Virginia. In February, Lohr voted to accept $62 million in unemployment benefits that did not have federal strings attached. Hart, 46, criticized Lohr for opposing the funds, saying that the General Assembly could change the policy later after spending the federal funds. But Lohr argues that would be difficult. "When someone gets used to a government program, it is hard to take that program away," he said. Lohr also said he wanted to avoid government handouts. Hart, however, said he did not consider stimulus money to help people get through a tough economy a handout. Expanding the eligibility for unemployment benefits, Lohr said, would eventually become burdensome to employers. "My goal," he said, "is to help businesses remain profitable so they can grow their work force, which means there will be more opportunity for people to work." Contact Jeff Mellott at 574-6290 or jmellott@dnronline.com Daily News Record April 14, 2009 Andrea Lohr, wife of Del. Matt Lohr, R-Broadway, introduces her husband on Monday. Lohr announced he is running for re-election.