LeGrow For Congress

This was the official website for the 2010 bid by Dr. LeGrow to represent Virginia's Fourth District in Congress. The content below is from the site's 2010 archived pages.

Dr. Wynne LeGrow has a fascinating story of how he became the Democratic nominee for the 2010 campaign in Virginia. He has even written a book,Last Leper in the Colony, about his experiences. Recently I read the book while staying in a lovely Maui waterfront condo rental on the western coast of this tropical Hawaiian island. Since I grew up in Virginia, I keep aware of the political intrigues. I was given LeGrow's book by my parents as a vacation read during this Maui trip. After a day enjoying a morning of snorkeling and an afternoon of golf or hiking I would relax on the condo's lanai, watch the sun set with some sensational tropical drink my boyfriend would concoct and read Last Leper in the Colony.

It is the fascinating story of how LeGrow transformed himself from a small-town physician who shunned politics (except to vote), into a Democratic candidate for Congress. In 2010, without primary opposition, he secured the nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives, a role that brought with it many ups and downs as he tried to figure out how a political neophyte should conduct a campaign. In many ways, this book is a guide on how to run for public office—as an atheist. It offers an insightful assessment of what worked and what didn’t, illustrated by the surprising political education LeGrow got along the way.

Dr. Wynne LeGrow did lose the 2010 election. However he did garner 37.5 percent of the vote, more than any Virginia Democrat running against any incumbent Republican that year. Given the odds he was facing, we see him as our hero, like Batman, going up against overwhelming opposition but still doing the right thing. In this way he kind of shares a Batman history. We are showing our appreciation by sending him a Batman t shirt from MoonAtMidnight.com. I'm certain he will appreciate this gift for what it represents. I am impressed by the way he conducted his campaign, and proud of the honest, perceptive book he’s written about it.

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CIRCA 2010

Learn why Dr. Wynne LeGrow is the best choice to represent Virginia's Fourth District

 

Latest News

Fifth Debate Question for the Candidates

10/20/2010

Moderator: The fifth question is for Dr. LeGrow. Dr. LeGrow, you have been accused by your opponent of attacking him because of his faith. You have stated publicly that you are a “non-believer.” How will that affect your decision-making in office?

Dr. LeGrow: Well, let me set the record straight. I never have and never will attack Mr. Forbes for his faith. I was raised in the church, my father was a Protestant minister, and my wife is Christian. I respect the values and moral teachings of Christianity. What I have a problem with is Mr. Forbes’ attempts to push his faith into our government. Introducing legislation to have the Congress of the United States declare that the Bible is the “holy word of God” is improper.
I believe that our government should remain separate from our faith traditions in this country, not just to protect the government from particular religious interests, but to protect our religious traditions and minorities. We have serious problems in this country including a crushing national debt, a serious economic crisis, and our young men are abroad fighting in two wars. I would focus on those issues in office, not religious questions.

 

 

Fourth Debate Question for the Candidates

10/19/2010

Moderator: The fourth question is for Mr. Forbes. Mr. Forbes, you have stated that you would support drilling for oil off of Virginia’s coast. Could you describe your energy policy and describe your vision for the future of America’s energy supply?

Mr. Forbes: [no answer given]

 

Third Debate Question for the Candidates

10/18/2010

Moderator: The third question is for Mr. Forbes. Mr. Forbes, you have repeatedly denounced the recent health care reform, and called for its repeal. How then, would you address the problem of sharply rising health care costs?

Mr. Forbes: [no answer given]

 

About

Wynne LeGrow is a husband, father, doctor, veteran and the Democratic nominee in Virginia's 4th Congressional District.

For almost three decades, Wynne LeGrow dedicated his life to providing the residents of rural southern Virginia with quality, affordable health care. As a physician, Wynne always used his acquired knowledge along with a common sense approach in diagnosing and treating his patients. He knows that we need a common sense approach to making our government more effective and efficient. He is running for Congress to ensure that the new health care legislation works for all Americans, that our financial system is properly regulated to allow for the greatest growth and consumer protection and that our environment is protected and preserved for future generations.

As the son of a minister and a schoolteacher, Wynne was raised in Vermont and moved to Ohio at age nine. From an early age, he saw the importance of honesty, integrity and service to others. He graduated from The Ohio State University and its College of Medicine. While at the university, he joined ROTC and received a commission in the U.S. Army. He graduated from medical school in 1972, and then completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Missouri. He served as a physician in the Army at Fort Rucker, Alabama from 1975 to 1977 and was promoted to the rank of major. Following his discharge from the Army, Wynne studied nephrology (kidney disease) at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Wynne moved to Emporia, VA in 1979 where he started his medical practice. For most of his career he practiced primary care in internal medicine as well as caring for hundreds of dialysis patients. His practice grew significantly, and in 1990, he opened his own dialysis center.

After nearly thirty years of practicing medicine in Emporia, Wynne retired in September 2008. In June 2009, he went to Honduras with wife Marilyn and her daughter Victoria to provide humanitarian medical care for the poor. The experience makes one more appreciative of the things that we take for granted at home.

Wynne has been married to his wife Marilyn since June of 2001. Marilyn, a nurse, is originally from Emporia. His son, Vincent, owns a video editing business in Los Angeles. Marilyn has one daughter, Victoria, who will start medical school this fall. He has two stepsons, Drew and Eric Willison, from a previous marriage.

 

Issues

• Healthcare

The new healthcare law prevents denial of insurance to people who have pre-existing conditions. It also prevents cancellation of insurance for certain health problems and placement of limitations on lifetime insurance coverage. This is a good start, but it still does not cover all our citizens. I would support measures that would encourage competition. These include initiation of a public option, introduction of a plan to buy in to Medicare, and modification of the antitrust exemptions enjoyed by some insurance companies. This competition would lower costs and improve quality of care for all Americans.

• Economy

Our economy must be viewed from both the short-term and long-term perspective. We are now coming out of the most severe recession since the Great Depression. It is clear that this recession could have been prevented. Regulations put in place following the Great Depression were removed in the 1980s and 1990s by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. This resulted in a situation which allowed subprime loans to be given to many individuals who clearly could not be expected to continue to make payments. The mortgage brokers who were selling these mortgages were making their money up front and did not suffer when foreclosures resulted. The mortgages were packaged as derivatives and Wall Street made additional profits by betting that these would fail. I support tighter regulation to prevent similar problems in the future.

The bank bailouts and stimulus package were needed to prevent this Great Recession from turning into the second Great Depression. Once the economy has stabilized, it will be necessary to make long-term plans to eliminate the deficit and start paying off the national debt. I supported the legislation which would have forced an up or down vote by Congress on the recommendations of an independent commission. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives, but unfortunately it was defeated in the Senate. The commission which has since been appointed by the president can only make recommendations which may or may not be implemented by Congress. If elected, I will seriously consider any recommendations the commission might make to start the country toward deficit reduction. I will also work with the Obama administration and any willing Democrats or Republicans to reduce our national debt. It is critical to the future economic health of this country.

• Energy Independence/Environment/Global Climate Change

The United States produces less than 5% of the world’s oil supply but consumes about 20%. This will continue to result in a significant trade deficit and keep us dependent on foreign oil. No amount of drilling will make us independent. Drilling offshore is obviously fraught with serious problems and would increase the total supply of oil only minimally. In order to become energy independent we must change our focus to clean, renewable sources of energy.

Starting by developing a more energy efficient economy, we must quickly implement wind, solar, geothermal and biomass as clean, domestic power sources. The burning of fossil fuels continues to contribute to the increased levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. The existence of global climate change and its relationship to the burning of fossil fuels is widely accepted in the scientific community. Those who deny this are generally not from the scientific community or are protecting the interests of the fossil fuel industries.

Our dependence on oil from countries that do not have our best interests in mind threaten our economy, our environment, and our national security. Unless steps are taken soon to promote energy effeciency and develop renewable energy, future generations will condemn us for our lack of insight into the problem. I favor tax breaks to businesses which invest in the many forms of clean renewable energy.

• Education

The state of public education has deteriorated over the last few decades. Too much emphasis is being placed on standardized tests that are too broad in their scope and encourage teachers to build their curricula around the tests rather than creating well-rounded lesson plans. The unrealistic methods for evaluating teachers and schools that were handed down from No Child Left Behind must be repealed.
There are many excellent dedicated teachers in our schools, but low teacher salaries prevent us from attracting and retaining the highest quality candidates. The recent decreases in the state budget have resulted in dramatic cuts to school systems around the state.

The stimulus package has allowed us to save some but not all teacher salaries. Further cuts are coming which will result in larger class sizes and further deterioration in public education. Education must become a much higher priority or our public schools will continue to spiral downward. We must find alternative means of funding our public education system other than placing the burden on the backs of property taxpayers.

• Jobs

There will always be a need for highly educated people in areas such as healthcare, clean energy, engineering, and information technologies. In order to ensure that all students are highly educated in a broad range of fields, we will need to have a first-class public education system. Tax incentives for small businesses are essential to help spur job growth. Because we live in a highly competitive global economy, well-paying jobs will depend on a well-educated population.

 

 

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More Background On LeGrowForUSCongress.com

Introduction

LeGrowForUSCongress.com was the official website for Dr. Wynne LeGrow's 2010 campaign to represent Virginia's Fourth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. This campaign, marked by its unique approach and the candidate's distinctive background, offers a fascinating case study in grassroots politics and the challenges faced by political newcomers.

Background and Campaign History

Dr. Wynne LeGrow, a retired nephrologist from Emporia, Virginia, entered the political arena driven by a deep concern for the direction of the country. His transition from medicine to politics was fueled by a desire to address critical issues such as healthcare, economic reform, and environmental sustainability.

LeGrow's campaign stood out for several reasons. First, he was a political novice, having never run for office before. This lack of political experience was both a strength and a weakness. It allowed him to approach issues with a fresh perspective but also posed significant challenges in navigating the complex world of electoral politics.

Key Campaign Issues

LeGrow's platform focused on several key issues:

1. Healthcare Reform: As a physician, LeGrow had a personal and professional stake in healthcare. He supported the Affordable Care Act but believed it needed further improvements, such as the introduction of a public option to foster competition and drive down costs.

2. Economic Policy: LeGrow advocated for stricter regulation of the financial sector to prevent future economic crises. He criticized the deregulation that led to the 2008 financial meltdown and supported policies aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring economic stability.

3. Environmental Sustainability: A proponent of clean energy, LeGrow called for investments in renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal power. He argued that reducing dependence on fossil fuels was crucial for both environmental and national security reasons.

4. Education Reform: LeGrow highlighted the need for a robust public education system. He opposed the high-stakes testing approach of No Child Left Behind and advocated for better funding for schools to attract and retain quality teachers.

5. Separation of Church and State: One of the most notable aspects of LeGrow's campaign was his open atheism. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear separation between religion and government, a stance that sparked considerable debate and criticism during his campaign.

Campaign Strategy and Challenges

LeGrow's campaign was characterized by its grassroots nature. He relied heavily on volunteer support and small donations, eschewing large corporate contributions. This approach resonated with many voters who were disillusioned with traditional politics.

However, LeGrow faced significant challenges. Running in a district with a strong Republican presence, he had to overcome not only the incumbent's political machinery but also the skepticism of voters unfamiliar with his name and background. Despite these obstacles, LeGrow managed to secure 37.45% of the vote, a respectable showing for a first-time candidate in a heavily Republican district.

Press and Media Coverage

The media coverage of LeGrow's campaign varied. While local media provided extensive coverage of his platform and public appearances, national media largely overlooked his candidacy. This limited exposure posed a challenge in gaining broader recognition and support.

Public Reception and Reviews

Public reception of LeGrow's campaign was mixed. Supporters praised his honesty, integrity, and commitment to addressing pressing issues. His medical background lent credibility to his healthcare proposals, and his straightforward approach appealed to many voters tired of political doublespeak.

Critics, however, were skeptical of his lack of political experience and questioned his ability to navigate the complexities of Congress. His atheism also became a contentious issue, with some voters expressing discomfort with his stance on the separation of church and state.

Cultural and Social Significance

LeGrow's campaign holds cultural and social significance as an example of a candidate willing to challenge the status quo and address issues often sidelined in political discourse. His candidacy highlighted the growing diversity of voices in American politics and underscored the importance of representation for non-religious individuals.

 

Dr. Wynne LeGrow's 2010 campaign for Congress was a bold and ambitious endeavor. While he ultimately did not win the seat, his campaign left a lasting impact on Virginia's Fourth District. It demonstrated the potential for political newcomers to make a significant mark and underscored the importance of addressing critical issues with honesty and integrity. LeGrow's story is a testament to the power of grassroots movements and the enduring importance of civic engagement in American democracy.