My dad, Delegate Geary Higgins

Dear Editor:

You’ve likely seen the attack ads about my dad, Delegate Geary Higgins, lying that he sold out his neighbors promoting data centers. It’s tough to beat an incumbent with a family, solid character, and a legacy of service. Can’t compare resumes, right? Can’t lean on a non-existent reputation. Best chance is to spin a web of lies and hope something sticks. It’s not the high road, but it’s seemingly the path John McAuliff has taken. 

For context, the National Electrical Contractors Association is a nonprofit association representing IBEW electrical contractors. NECA provides various services to its members including safety education and labor relations. My father was a salaried employee there for 37 years. He made an honest living for his family, proudly representing contractors doing all kinds of electrical work. Remind me why we’re demonizing nonprofit employees for settling labor disputes? 

Before the smear campaign, my father’s opponent mentioned new ads were coming. “Nothing personal,” he added, suggesting dad should brace himself … Just planning to tarnish 25 years of public service by branding dad a crook. Just impugning decades of trust by claiming he endangered his community for money when he never approved of—or profited from—the irresponsible placement of any data center.

This district’s not a political steppingstone for my father—it’s his home. He won’t have the luxury of packing a carpet bag and heading to another opportunity. This precious place, with its small-town fairs, parades, and football games, is his life. It might not be personal to his challenger, but it’s deeply personal to Geary Higgins.

His adversaries can call him radical, photoshop MAGA hats on him, attack his values, or fear-monger nonsense about jailing doctors. I’ve watched all that since I was a kid. But I’ve never seen anyone flat-out lie about his integrity and recklessly drag his reputation through mud. We’ve seen plenty of that nationally, but not in our hometown. It’s lazy, sleazy, underhanded politics, and it has no place here.

The latest lie—that dad supports defunding the Purcellville police—is laughable considering the threat on dad’s life made recently by the opposition. As a Purcellville resident, I can officially debunk that accusation. Friends, we’re dealing with a pathological liar—spewing falsehoods faster than can be refuted. Anyone interested in the truth about dad can find the facts at GearyHiggins.com.

Meanwhile, House District 30, Geary Higgins would never sell you out. You’ve been his passion project since before I was born. He’s the same honest man he’s always been— dedicated to your wellbeing and the good of our region. Don’t let someone waltz into town with a smile and tell you any different. You’re too smart for that, and you deserve better.

Megan Thomas

Purcellville