Forty year old Lewis County Judge Executive Thomas Massie has apparently decided to run for Congress. Roger Alford of the Associated Press has reported that Massie will become the fourth contestant in the GOP primary to replace Geoff Davis.
Massie is a close ally of Rand Paul and Ron Paul and has hired Rand Paul's former staff member Ryan Hogan for his campaign.
Massie is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge Mass. He has to his credit the invention of a thimble like robotic device for use in creating a "virtual reality" capable of making more realistic video games and which has also been considered useful in other applications. Massie also has a number of other patents to his credit including a weaving machine that mimics the handicraft of natives of the Andes Mountains.
Massie helped to form a New England company, SensAble Technologies, built around his inventions after raising $32 million in venture capital. He moved to Lewis County 10 years ago after reportedly making a "ton of money" before he was 30.
He and his wife then bought a 1200 acre farm where Massie proudly displays his efforts to live "off the grid" and where he is building a castle like home, by hand.
From installing his own sawmill to turn storm damaged trees into construction timbers, to quarrying stone from his farm and laying it in place, Massie has built a following among those interested in his project.
He has talked quite a bit about his story on the Internet from his use of "timber framing" to the incorporation of solar energy and even converting cow manure to methane.
Massie's first entrance into the world of politics was his election as Judge Executive in Lewis County. He says his goals in Congress include bringing down our debt and reigning in government spending. He considers himself one of the newly energized "constitutional conservatives" who have found a home among some TEA party types and within the Ron Paul movement.
Massie, who looks younger than his age, is the father of four young children.
Campbell County Proud, Gus and Bubba---please take time from whatever takes up your time and go listen to Thomas Massie---you are already discounting him by stereotyping him---I did not once hear him say I"HAD to use solar energy, or I had to do any of the things the Obama greenies say I "have" to do. I did hear him speak of limited government, fiscal responsibility (and by the way he was able to save Lewis county a nice tidy sum of money just by looking at the bills coming into the county for payment--what a new and novel way to control your spending--kind of like some of you might do with your own budgets!)and last but not least-- getting our economy going again so people can get back to work--
Posted by: Carol Fell | January 22, 2012 at 05:07 PM
What's with the folks criticizing him for being successful? Is this a new trend? Are you even Republicans...?
Thomas is as genuine as they get, and he's saved his county over a hundred thousand dollars in waste, without job loss. From my perspective, he's the next Rand Paul.. and the Establishment is scared to death he's serious about cutting spending, shaking up Washington and restoring free market prosperity.
It's time to send Rand reinforcements... let's finish what we started.
Posted by: Taika | January 11, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Pride is his Achilles heel...just ask some of those "NEIGHBORS" who asked him to run, lol.
Posted by: Apollo | January 11, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Technically, Libertarians & Conservatives are truly Liberals. Unfortunately, the word has long been hijacked by the Progressives in the Democratic Party. So there's really nothing to expose.
This Thomas Massie sounds like an intelligent entrepreneur that has a lot of potential to shake things up. I would have to listen to a few of his speeches and some of his ideas before I support him though. But I like what I see so far.
Posted by: Tim | January 11, 2012 at 02:13 AM
I have never met a more down to earth man than Thomas Massie. My husband and I first came to know Thomas and his wife about a year ago. He is appealing to all socioeconomic groups, friendly, funny and very smart. His story of how he got where he is today is inspiring to young and old. A true fiscal conservative.
Before you make a judgment on Thomas based on this one blog, take the time to meet him and judge for yourself. I understand he will be a the Campbell County Tea Party meeting on Thursday evening at the Campbell Co Administration building at 7:00pm.
The only thing better than a voter is an informed voter.
Posted by: Queen | January 10, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Does this guy even know the difference between Bellevue and Belleview? Does he have any idea where Parlor Grove used to be or where Peach Grove is now?
Come on. This guy has no more of an idea about the people or places of this district than Joe Biden does.
Sounds like this is just another ego trip for some rich kid to play with.
Sorry. He's not one of us.
Posted by: Campbell County Proud | January 10, 2012 at 06:43 PM
I am sick and tired of all these liberal, green movement "off the grid" conspiracy theory peacenicks posing as republicans.
They are nothing but a bunch of libertarians in republican clothing really. They couldn't get elected by telling the truth about themselves and so they run as republicans.
And a bunch of these libertarians are really liberals and little by little they are being exposed.
Makes me wish I had worked harder for Trey Grayson.
Posted by: Gus | January 10, 2012 at 05:57 PM
Looking forward to a true innovator like Thomas Massie helping put our country back in the right direction.
Posted by: Liberty Lover | January 10, 2012 at 05:56 PM
Solar energy? A millionaire before 30? Invented a virtual reality device for video games? Lives in a castle? Why am I not surprised he's a Paulbot too?
Don't tell us you support this guy Marcus.
And where the hell is Lewis county?
Posted by: Bubba From Bromley | January 10, 2012 at 05:35 PM