“My Mom’s Black Satchel Theory of Mountain Politics”

 

The District That Wouldn’t Fold: Why We’re Still the "Fighting Ninth"

By Jerry Buchanan



Ever wonder why Southwest Virginia is called the "Fighting Ninth"? It’s a badge of honor that started  in places like Lee County. Back in the day, while the rest of the South was stuck in one-party politics, the 9th District was a total underdog—a place where Republicans and Democrats fought tooth and nail for every single vote.

It’s all about that scrappy, stubborn, and fiercely independent mountain spirit that still defines us today.

The Legend of the "Black Satchel"

I first heard the term "Black Satchel" from my mom when I was a boy. She was a "Hot Democrat" through and through, and she’d swear up and down that those mountain Republicans didn't win elections with platforms—they won them with a black leather bag filled with cash and high-proof booze.

Bless her sweet heart, she might have been onto something. In the "Fighting Ninth," politics wasn't just a civic duty; it was a contact sport.





The legend goes that on election day, certain "operatives" would trek into the deepest hollows with that satchel. They’d "help" folks with their absentee ballots, ensuring the Ninth stayed Republican red in a sea of Democratic blue. Whether it was gospel truth or just the "sour grapes" of the opposition, the Black Satchel became the ultimate symbol of our district’s wild, unpredictable, and creative political spirit.

The Slemp Dynasty: Mountain Kings

You can't talk about the Fighting Ninth without talking about the Slemps. First came Colonel Campbell Slemp, and then his son, C. Bascom Slemp. They didn't just represent us; they became a national powerhouse.

While the rest of Virginia was falling under the thumb of the Richmond-based "Byrd Machine," Southwest Virginia was the grain of sand in the gears. Bascom Slemp was so sharp he ended up as the personal secretary (essentially the Chief of Staff) to President Calvin Coolidge. Having a mountain boy in the White House gave Southwest Virginia a seat at the table that Richmond couldn't ignore. But to keep that seat, the Slemps had to fight for every inch of ground in these hills.

See the Legacy for Yourself: Big Stone Gap

If you want to step out of the history books and into the world of the "Fighting Ninth," you have to make the drive to Big Stone Gap.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is housed in a stunning 1890s Victorian stone mansion. It’s more than just a collection of artifacts—it’s the house that the "Fighting Ninth" built. C. Bascom Slemp himself established the collection to preserve the unique culture of our mountain home. Standing in those halls, you get a real sense of the men who refused to be told how to vote.

The Spirit Lives On

That stubborn streak didn't die out with the Slemps. Whether you're a Democrat like my mom or a die-hard Republican, the "Fighting Ninth" is a title we all share. It means we don’t just follow the crowd; we fight for what’s ours, we remember where we came from, and we sure as heck don't let anyone else tell us how to think.

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