With the Feb. 12 Presidential Primary upon us, we asked some New River Valley residents who they were favoring in the Virginia Primary. Here are some thoughts from some of your neighbors.

Courtney Weida, Radford, supports Hillary Clinton
As an educator, I proudly support Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination because she is strong, clear, and experienced in the issues I care about. A dedicated defender of human rights, she has worked for peace in Northern Ireland and fought to bridge religious, racial, and ethnic divides from Bosnia to the Middle East to South Africa.

Sen. Clinton has actively prioritized education and health care throughout her career, and she brings crucial experience to these key issues. Her voting record demonstrates she has uniquely and consistently taken a stand for women’s rights. Her platform also supports rural areas on issues such as ecology, energy, and advocacy. In the state of Virginia, Hillary Clinton is endorsed by Sen. Louise Lucas, Sen. Mamie Locke, Delegate Al Eisenberg, Assemblyman Jennifer McClellan, Delegate Johnny Joannou, Delegate Lionell Spruill, and Assemblyman Adam Ebbin (www.projectvotesmart.org).

I hope that others will look closely at the candidates’ records concerning issues that matter most to them and vote in the primaries!

Fred Gerald, Floyd County, supports Mike Huckabee
I have attended two Republican National Conventions as a Delegate (2000 in Philadelphia and 2004 in New York). I am a very conservative Christian. I support the Republican Party because of the stand taken by the party on the issues of abortion, gay marriages, gay rights, and gun control. I cannot support any other Republican other than Mike Huckabee for the following reasons: Fred Thompson and Ron Paul are out. Rudy Giuliani supports gay rights, abortion, and gun control (he should be a Democrat). Mitt Romney can’t be trusted (flip-flopped on abortion), and neither can John McCain (flip-flopped on the tax cuts).

That leaves Mike Huckabee, whom I support 100% to be the 44th President of the United States. He has conducted his campaign without all of the mean-spirited mud slinging the other candidates of both parties have used. His record as Governor of Arkansas is impressive. Just to be the third Republican governor elected since Reconstruction is very impressive. The outstanding way he handled the crisis in Arkansas when then-Governor Jim Guy Tucker had to resign because of two felony convictions and then at the last minute decided he would not resign indicates he is calm under fire.

Mike Huckabee is a man of honesty, integrity, Christian character, political experience and is not just another Washington insider. If elected President he will change our nation in a very positive way. However, the main reason I will vote for Mike Huckabee is his stand on moral issues.

Laura Spielman, Christiansburg, supports Barack Obama
I want a president who can bring us together and inspire passion to participate in our great democracy, who demonstrates excellent judgment and will not just say what we want to hear, but what we need to hear.

I want a president who can transform politics, who can oppose special interests because he does not accept their contributions, and who does not create false accusations against opponents to score political points. I want a president who has consistently said “no” to the Iraq war, even when that stance was unpopular and as others voted for its authorization.

I want a president who will reach out to our enemies as well as our friends, who recognizes we are each our brother’s keeper.

Governor Tim Kaine, Congressman Rick Boucher, and numerous other Virginia leaders have stood up proudly to endorse Barack Obama for president. Please stand with us and vote for Barack Obama on February 12.

Jessee Ring, Pulaski County, supports Mitt Romney
The conservative principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense are the driving force behind our nation’s greatness. America is a good place. Our economy has produced the highest standard of living in human history. Our military is the strongest in the world. We need a President who understands our uniqueness as a nation and who will ensure that this is perpetuated.

That is why I am supporting Mitt Romney for President. Governor Romney has outlined a strong and conservative program for keeping America safe and winning the war on terror. He has a strong domestic agenda for improving the economy via tax relief and reduced government spending. And he has promised to stand strong for American values by protecting the right to life, the sanctity of marriage, Second Amendment rights, and cleaning up the popular culture.

Governor Romney has the background, knowledge, experience, and ability to lead our country at this critical time. Mitt Romney is the President we need to effectively address our current problems and keep the country going in the right direction.