Democrat Starla Kiser running for House of Delegates in Southwest Virginia

With all 140 seats in the General Assembly up for grabs this fall, Democrats aren’t taking any district for granted.

Among the new candidates they’re fielding is Starla Kiser, a physician from Wise County, who is running to represent the 4th District in the House of Delegates.

Kiser, a native of Dickenson County, attended Ervinton High School and East Tennessee University, where she worked with a local NASA program. She then attended Harvard University, where she received a medical degree, as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

A board-certified doctor, Kiser has worked across the world to improve health care delivery systems and increase access to care.

Kiser told the Roanoke Times that she wanted to help those in underserved areas, which is why she moved home to Southwest Virginia, where she now runs a clinic in Clintwood. Kiser said she decided to run because she believes in the region and wants it to succeed, but that depends on local leaders providing residents with more opportunities.

While Kiser has already earned her spot on the November ballot, her opponent won’t be determined until June 11, when the Republican primary is held.

Kiser acknowledged to the Roanoke Times that she’s a longshot to win the race, but said she wants her district to have good leadership and positioned herself as a pragmatist who also has a “new and different voice.”