Robert N. Barnette Jr. is the Democratic candidate running for the 55th district House of Delegates seat vacated by the retiring Del. Frank Hargrove Sr.

He competes for the seat against Republican candidate John Cox, who won a three-way primary in June. The election is Nov. 3.

Barnette, 57, is a self-employed consultant. His company, Barnette & Associates, specializes in offering safety and loss prevention programs for small businesses.

Previously, he served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1974 and the Air Force Reserve for a few more years. January 1977, he entered the 192nd

Tactical Fighter Group Virginia Air National Guard and eventually rose to the rank of State Command Chief Master Sergeant. "When I retired, I was the senior enlisted advisor in the entire state," he said.