Swanson's husband, Kip, is an Independent.  The New Kent County couple brought a Filafry franchise about two years ago.  Both of them are voting for Republican John McCain. 

"If you have a deep fat fryer, I can service you," said Kip Swanson. 

Kip collects used cooking oil from restaurants and turns it into biofuel.  Christy keeps the books and networks.  The couple quickly realized the unique challenges of owning a small business.

"There's no sick days, very little vacation.  You have to worry about health care costs," said Kip. 

Christy was planning to vote for Democrat Barack Obama, until she went to Washington in June for a summit of small business owners.  Both Obama and McCain were invited.  Only McCain showed up.

Christy liked what she heard.

"I didn't go running up to him like many did.  I, you know, stayed back and said, 'okay, let me look at some other candidates here and do some research,'" said Christy. 

The reasons to vote for McCain, she says, stacked up.

"The corporate taxes, the portable healthcare is huge," said Christy. 

Now she leads "Virginia Citizens for McCain," a coalition of Democrats and Independents.

The McCain camp says there are millions of voters like Christy, which is why the polls are moving in his favor.  Democrats say McCain represents the past, that Virginians ready to turn the page should vote for Obama. 

The Swanson's encourage voters to do their homework before deciding on a candidate.  Christy leaves Tuesday for the Republican National Convention, a Democrat the party faithful are happy to welcome.