Amid a fiercely competitive race for Virginia’s 30th House District, Delegate Geary Higgins pauses to reflect on a recent death threat, condemn a rival’s disturbing messages, and share why Western Loudoun County remains his greatest inspiration.

Delegate Geary Higgins represents the 30th House of Delegates District in Western Loudoun and Western Fauquier counties. He was elected in 2023 and is currently facing a tough challenger, making this one of the most competitive seats in the House of Delegates.

Despite a busy campaign schedule, we caught up with Delegate Higgins one windy mid-morning to discuss his thoughts on the Jay Jones text messaging scandal, how he spends his free time off the trail, what he wants to be remembered for, and what part of Virginia he holds dearest.

Approximately a month ago, Delegate Higgins received a death threat against himself and his children. Law enforcement was immediately notified, and the suspect was later apprehended and charged. Around the same time, Attorney General nominee Jay Jones’ text messages — in which he fantasized about shooting a Republican Delegate and his children — came to light. Since Higgins was the target of a similar threat, we asked for his thoughts on Jones’ messages.

“I think those text messages are absolutely unacceptable in public service. I wouldn’t even think those things, let alone speak them,” Higgins said. “I would suggest to Mr. Jones that he listen to those text messages verbally. It’s one thing to read them — it’s something else to hear them. And then I would suggest that he go and get himself some help because something’s deeply wrong with that kind of thought process.”

When asked how he’d spend a rare weekend away from campaigning, Higgins smiled. “History and antiques are my avocations,” he said. “So if I had some time off, I’d be out either going to historical sites and visiting them or going to antique shops and visiting them — or the best of both worlds, doing both at the same time.”

On how he hopes to be remembered, Higgins kept it simple. “For me, public service is what it’s been all about, and so I would hope that people will remember me as a good public servant,” he said. “I also would hope that people will remember the hard work we did to bring the Sweet Run State Park to Neersville and the work we’re doing on Oak Hill to bring that to a state park — and will continue to do.”

And when asked about his favorite place in Virginia, Higgins didn’t hesitate. “My favorite place is right here where I live in Western Loudoun County along the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I don’t think there’s a more beautiful place. I know there’s not a more beautiful place in the state. I don’t think there’s a more beautiful place in the country or the world. This is one of the most beautiful places that exists on God’s green earth.”

Running as the Democratic challenger, John McAuliff whose campaign emphasizes mental health and reproductive rights.