Delegate Mitchell Cornett

06/04/2026

Always good to spend an evening with the Pulaski County GOP. Tonight I gave them an update on this year’s General Assembly session: what we fought for, what we were able to get done, and what’s still ahead. But the biggest topic of the night was the budget, and for good reason.

The honest truth is we should not be returning to Richmond. This budget was supposed to be finished in March. It is almost June, and Democrat leadership still has not delivered. Come July 1, schools could lose funding, state troopers could go without a paycheck, road projects shut down, and Medicaid payments stop. The teachers, deputies, and first responders in our communities deserve better than this. They show up every single day, rain or shine, no excuses. It is long past time Virginia Democrats did the same. Get a clean budget done and stop leaving Virginia hanging.

05/30/2026

Graduation ceremonies wrapped up in the 46th District today at Grayson County High School. It was an honor to attend the ceremonies today.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors-I know you will do great things.

05/30/2026

My thoughts and prayers are with these officers, their families, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Carroll County community.

Unfortunately, this is a tragic reminder of the dangers that our dedicated law enforcement personnel face every day.

This is an unacceptable act of violence and I am confident that the subject with be apprehended and subsequently prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

God Bless our Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At approximately 9:26 p.m., the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office received a request from a family member to conduct a welfare check at 13658 Fancy Gap Highway.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the residence. Upon arrival, two deputies made contact with a male subject identified as Michael Puckett. During the encounter, Puckett opened fire on the responding deputies. Deputies returned fire.

Both deputies were struck by gunfire. One deputy sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest and is currently receiving medical evaluation and is reported to be in stable condition.

Michael Puckett fled the scene and remains at large. A coordinated law enforcement search is currently underway.

Puckett should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone who sees him or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to immediately call 911.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Sheriff Kevin A. Kemp

05/25/2026

The rain came down a little today, but so did the people of Marion. Folks still lined Main Street with flags in hand to remember the men and women who gave their lives for this country.

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend. It’s a reminder that the freedoms we enjoy every day came at a real cost for so many American families.

I was honored to be in Marion today for the Memorial Day Parade and to join a community that still takes the time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

05/23/2026

Enjoyed celebrating the Fort Chiswell High School Class of 2026 today.

Fort Chiswell has a lot to be proud of in this group of graduates, and I hope they take their talents and work ethic with them wherever life leads next while continuing to make a difference here at home in Wythe County and across Southwest Virginia.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and their families on a big day!

05/23/2026

It was an honor to attend Chilhowie High School’s graduation commencement this evening and celebrate the Class of 2026.

It was great to see the gym packed with family, friends, teachers, and community members cheering these students on. Congratulations to each graduate, and best wishes for all that’s ahead!

05/19/2026

After more than two years of hard work and planning, it was great to join community leaders, local partners, and the JST team for the grand opening of JST Power Equipment’s new Wytheville facility.

JST’s new factory will manufacture three-phase pad-mounted transformers for markets all across the country. It’s going to support dozens of high-quality jobs right here in Wythe County, and there’s room to expand down the road. That’s a real investment in this community and in the hard-working people who call it home.

Days like this remind me what we can accomplish when we believe in American manufacturing and when local partners all pull in the same direction. Thank you to JST for choosing Wytheville, and to the Wythe County EDA/IDA, the Town of Wytheville, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors, and County Administration for everything they did to make this happen.

Congratulations to JST and everyone who will be part of their team. We’re glad to have you in the 46th District!

05/18/2026

Spent the day at Wythe County today, and it was a good one!

I had the honor of presenting resolutions from the General Assembly to recognize the GW boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and the Rural Retreat wrestling team for all they’ve accomplished. These kids work hard, and getting to recognize them for it is one of the best parts of this job.

Congratulations to every athlete, coach, and family — we are proud of you all!

05/18/2026

I spent yesterday evening at Smyth County Republican Party’s Lincoln Reagan Allen Dinner. I gave an update on the General Assembly session and the Democrat budget impasse in Richmond.

Serving Smyth County and the 46th District in the House of Delegates is a tremendous honor. I remain committed to defending our way of life and standing firm for the conservative principles and values that matter most to our communities.

05/16/2026

Woke up this morning to a Virginia sunrise - and to a Commonwealth where the rule of law still means something.

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to bail out the rushed, backroom redistricting scheme that was jammed through in violation of our Constitution. That decision lets the Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling stand: the process exists for a reason, and no party gets to shortcut it for political advantage.

Now it’s time to get back to the work that actually matters to families across the 46th District. While so much energy went into chasing this map, Richmond still hasn’t passed a budget. The House, the Senate, and the Governor, all controlled by the Democratic party, can’t agree among themselves. Citizens of the 46th District deserve a finished budget, real action on energy costs, and leaders focused on results instead of power grabs.