Eric Phillips
FOR DELEGATE
Eric met his wife Rebecca at Mercy Crossing Church in Martinsville, the same church his grandparents helped establish and where his family is still active today. Eric is a loving husband, devoted father, and proud grandfather with deep roots in Southside and Southwest Virginia. A small business owner, Eric is a leader that is helping rebuild the region’s economy and usher in a new generation of opportunity for his neighbors and community.
Southside and Southwest Virginia were once the Commonwealth’s manufacturing powerhouse with furniture and textile factories spread across the region. That is what brought Eric’s family to our community. Eric’s family is deeply rooted in Henry County and surrounding communities. From helping establish Mercy Crossing Church to helping build the Philpott Dam and owning businesses that have employed many in Southside and Southwest Virginia, Eric and his family have been leaders in our community for generations.
Eric sits on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge and is a member of the Chatmoss Country Club in Martinsville where he enjoys playing golf with his children. He serves as the chair of the Henry County-Martinsville Republican Committee, 9th Congressional District Region-6 Vice Chair, and as a member of the Republican Party of Virginia’s governing board the State Central Committee.
A committed public servant and business leader, Eric was recently selected to serve as Chairman of the City of Martinsville’s Industrial Development Authority. Eric serves as the Chairman Elect of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Chamber Board’s Executive Committee. Eric also sits on the Board of Directors for the Uptown Partnership, a Virginia Main Street organization. Eric also serves on The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor committee, made up of CEOs throughout our region who are dedicated to bringing much needed transportation infrastructure improvements that support the business renaissance we are starting to see across our area with newly opened and upcoming projects, and with mega sites like Berry Hill in Pittsylvania County and Commonwealth Crossing in Henry County.
Eric is the loving husband to his wife, Rebecca. Eric and his family still attend the church his grandparents helped establish and where he met the love of his life. His pride and joy are his three children- Brandon, Tanner, and Lexi- and his new grandson Hutton. When he is not working, Eric enjoys riding four-wheelers with his sons, hunting, and fishing.
Eric will be a representative for all of Southside and Southwest Virginia. He is running to be a leader in Richmond, not just a voice.
On the Issues
Economic Investment
Eric is a small business owner who understands the unique challenges facing small businesses across Virginia. In Richmond, Eric’s top priority will be providing relief to Virginia’s middle class by cutting taxes and getting the government out of the way of small businesses. With record high inflation and uncertain economic conditions, Eric will be a leader for Virginia’s middle class who are concerned about the future of the Commonwealth. He will fight to bring industry and jobs to Southside and Southwest Virginia and make our region Virginia’s advanced manufacturing and research powerhouse.
Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor
For too long, politicians in Richmond have made promises they have not kept. From I-73, to the “Southern Connector” our area has been overlooked and left behind when it comes to much needed road and infrastructure improvements. As Delegate, Eric will fight to the finish to ensure that we see improvements and enhancements to the Blue Ride Innovation Corridor that will help usher in a new era of commerce and industry in Southside and Southwest Virginia. The completion of this project will end years of broken promises and bring jobs and business to our community.
Second Amendment
Eric is a lifelong hunter and strong advocate for the Second Amendment rights of all Virginians. An outdoorsman, Eric understands the importance of responsible gun ownership and understands that the right to bear arms is not something that is negotiable. In Richmond, Eric will support legislation that expands gun rights across the Commonwealth and defends the rights enshrined in our Constitution.
Pro-Life
A strong Christian active in his church, Eric is unapologetically pro-life. As the father of three children, and a new grandfather, Eric believes life is precious and begins at conception. In Richmond, Eric will be an ardent supporter of pro-life legislation that will protect the sanctity of life from the radical abortion policies of Democrats.
Law Enforcement
Eric is a strong ally to our men and women in law enforcement. By allocating more money and resources to law enforcement, he will ensure that our police departments get the help they need to keep our streets safe. In Richmond, Eric will be a staunch advocate for our men and women in blue.
Veterans
The men and women who lace up their boots every morning to defend our freedoms deserve the help and support needed to transition back into civilian life. That is why Eric will sponsor legislation expanding benefits to Virginia’s veterans and help make Virginia the most military friendly state in the country.
Election Integrity
Protecting the integrity of our elections is protecting the foundation of our Republic. As Delegate, Eric will lead the charge fighting for voter ID laws and will stand up to protect our elections from interference. Eric will fight back against radical Democrats who oppose necessary election laws that will keep fraud from interfering in our elections. If we do not trust our election process, we cannot trust our elected officials.
Education
As a father and grandfather, Eric understands the importance of protecting our children from radical curriculum. As Delegate, Eric will fight back against woke legislators and special interest groups who want to indoctrinate our children. He believes that we should be teaching our children how to think, not what to think and that our classrooms are not a place for politics. Eric will be the strongest voice in Richmond for parents and students.
Rural Heritage & Values
Both Pittsylvania and Henry Counties have a long, rich history of agricultural production. Eric understands that a thriving agricultural economy is what puts food on the table for millions of Virginians. As Delegate, Eric will defend and support the integrity of farming production and the rural heritage that make our community special. For too long Richmond has ignored the needs and issues facing rural communities. As Delegate, Eric will elevate the voices and concerns of rural Virginia and advocate for the issues that matter to us.