As a journalist, one thing that I know gets underreported in the context of political campaigns is really anything about what the people who are running for office are like as people.
What are their hobbies? What is their idea of a night out on the town?
Their favorite color?
I thought I’d share some personal items of interest about me so that you can get a better idea of the candidate behind the positions on the issues, as it were.
Name and Occupation: Chris Graham, co-owner of Augusta Free Press Publishing, editor of The New Dominion print magazine
Age: 35
Married: Yes. My wife, Crystal, and I have been married for seven years.
Born and Raised: Born in Staunton, raised in Augusta County, graduate of Wilson Memorial High School
College: University of Virginia
High School/College Jobs Include: Virginia Department of Forestry, Hardee’s in Waynesboro, Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation Camp Summer Fun
Other Jobs Post-College: substitute teacher in Waynesboro and Augusta County school systems, part-time math tutor
First Professional Job: The News Virginian, where I worked for a year in the sports department from 1995-1996 before moving into local news in 1996. I was on the NV staff until 2000, when I moved to The Observer in Charlottesville.
Business Experience: Founded Augusta Free Press Publishing in 2002. The company has grown from one news website to now having three news websites, a print magazine, a book division and a graphic- and web-design division.
Hobbies: Kickboxing – I train on a heavy bag in my exercise room four nights a week, 20 minutes per session. I also do one power-weightlifting session once a week at the Waynesboro YMCA. And I cycle around Waynesboro two days a week (in the warm-weather months; and for me warm weather is anything above 60 degrees). I don’t get to play as much pickup basketball as I used to. I was the intramural free-throw shooting champion at the University of Virginia in the spring of 1994. I also read voraciously – three books per month, plus the highlights of two weekly magazines, Sports Illustrated and The New Yorker.
Staying Young: I have two interns working with me this school semester – Faryal Zubair, a sophomore at Waynesboro High School, and Erin Gutzwiller, a senior at Bridgewater College. They’re in the office here two days a week each. Which means for two days a week, I’m reminded up front that I’m no spring chicken anymore.
My Idea of a Night on the Town: I am a sports enthusiast, to say the least. My favorite thing to do is a UVa. football, basketball, baseball or lacrosse game, or a night spent with our local Waynesboro Generals Valley Baseball League team. I enjoy the monthly Third Fridays Downtown Waynesboro events. I try to spend some time at Stone Soup Books up the street from my office in Downtown Waynesboro. I get to a few Waynesboro Players performances a year.
Favorite Color: Blue
Unusual Talent(s): I can talk like Scooby Doo and Shaggy Doo from the old cartoon series. I do other celebrity impersonations as well, but none in the same league as those.
Yardwork: Do it myself. I’m not what you call a handyman, but I can push a lawnmower.
I hope this gives you a glimpse into who I am.
I don’t know that it will make you that much more likely to vote for me, but …
