Meet Your Local School Board, Supervisors and House Delegate Candidates – Elections 2023
Meet Your Local School Board, Board of Supervisor, State Senate, and House Delegates Candidates – Elections 2023 in Williamsburg & James City County
by Brandy Centolanza, Freelance Journalist
It’s election time. Early voting has already started. The editors at WilliamsburgFamilies.com brought onboard journalist, Brandy Centolanza to write the following Q&A article to give voters insight into their local candidates.
The format is simple: each candidate was asked the same four questions and their responses are below. This article is not editorial and does not endorse any candidate. To read each candidate’s responses, click on the district name, the candidate names below, or just scroll. While not all candidates responded to our request, every candidate we contacted is included below with their name, what they are running for and a link to their website for voters to learn more about them. For this article we contacted House of Delegates, State Senate, Board of Supervisors and School Board candidates who are running in this election.
Powhatan and Jamestown districts did not have Supervisors or School Board Candidates up for term elections; for those readers please visit Senate and House of Delegates Candidates.
If you are unsure of your voting district find your ballot /polling location here, which gives your district so you know which of the candidates below you can vote for on Tuesday, Nov 7 (or earlier if you participate in early voting). We thank journalist Brandy Centolanza for contacting the following 18 candidates and bringing their responses to you.
- Ruth Larson – re-election for Board of Supervisors
- John Curran Jr. – Board of Supervisors
- Marvin Franz Jr. – WJCC Schools school board
- Randy Riffle – WJCC Schools school board
- Barbara Null – Board of Supervisors
- Lisa Ownby – Board of Supervisors
- Michael Hosang – WJCC Schools school board
- Damon Walker – WJCC Schools school board
- John McGlennon – re-election for Board of Supervisors
- Trevor Topping – Board of Supervisors
- Daniel Cavazos – WJCC Schools school board
- Max Blalock Jr. – WJCC Schools school board
- Amanda Batten – re-election for Virginia House Delegate for House District 71
- Jessica Anderson – Virginia House Delegate for House District 71
- Monty Mason – re-election for Senate District 24
- Danny Diggs – Senate District 24
- Ryan McDougle – re-election for Senate District 26
- Pamela Garner – Senate District 26
Berkeley District
Ruth Larson is running for re-election for supervisor for the Berkeley District.
She was first elected to the Board in 2016. Her website is voteruthlarson.com
Why are you running for re-election?
I want to continue to collaborate with the citizens of the Berkeley District and the county, my colleagues on the board, and our regional partners to continue to make James City County a wonderful place to live, work, and play. We live in a unique area that is rich in history and continues to evolve in an innovative way. We have made significant progress and there is more to do in order to achieve the best outcome for our citizens. I am not looking for the next big thing for me; I am interested in creating the best for the people who call this county home.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I have institutional memory which provides context on local issues, and a lot of neighbors know me personally and approach me with their concerns. I’ve been in local office for the past 18 years: I served 10 on the WJCC School Board and 8 on the Board of Supervisors. I’m experienced, I care, and I was born and raised here, as were both of my parents. My great grandfather came here to be a silversmith at Colonial Williamsburg. My mom’s dad went to the Shipyard Apprentice School and spent his entire working career at the shipyard. My dad’s mom was ahead of her time as a professional woman in her role as one of the first bank officers for Peninsula Bank (now Truist). My dad spent his career at NASA and my mom is still working fulltime as an RN for Riverside Ask a Nurse. I married my very supportive husband Craig and we now live in the neighborhood he lived in as a teenager. Our three children graduated from Jamestown High School. I am grateful for the roots I have and I want to work to ensure that if my grandchildren live here one day, that they also have a wonderful place to call home.
What will be your top priorities if re-elected?
I will continue to work toward smart growth and make it a priority. This is a beautiful community that retains a much-appreciated rural feel. I am always trying to achieve a balance between growth in the tax base through attracting new businesses and visitors to our historic county, and retention of beautiful greenspace. James City County is a fiscally well managed county, and we accomplish that by ensuring we are using tax dollars in the most responsible way we can, always looking for the most efficient way to accomplish a task, and by encouraging employees to share ideas for a better more cost-effective way to provide for our citizens. For example, the last two fiscal years we took a penny off of our tax rate to help our citizens recover from the impact of COVID on the economy, and we continue to have a Triple A bond rating. This is how I save our citizens money while still providing them with high quality services.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
As the only independent candidate in this race, I can swear allegiance to all citizens. I want to enhance James City County through smart governance and planning. Fifty percent of your local tax dollars go to the schools, and my 10 years of experience on the School Board makes me the most qualified candidate to shepherd the City of Williamsburg’s proposed split of the school division, and my current position as vice chair of the Board of Supervisors will help when negotiating contracts between the two entities throughout this process. I have done my homework and learned all I can about every issue before I consider the merit of the decisions coming before the Board. I believe I am well prepared to serve another four years.
John Curran Jr. is running as a Republican for the Berkeley supervisor seat.
John is a U.S. Navy veteran and has more than 30 years of business experience in government contracting, construction, environmental and alternative energy as well as economic development around the world, according to his website: www.vote4curran.com
Why are you running for election?
My family and I moved to James City County in 2020 to enjoy an improved quality of life and to be closer to my parents who have been residents for over 20 years. We fell in love with the area, the rural feel with the history that surrounds us. I am active in the community. I hear concerns from residents and business owners that I share.
The population of the county continues to grow, and the average age is dropping slightly as younger families move here to enjoy the schools, safety, and amenities that our county has to offer. Working individuals and families bring a needed workforce to the county that we are currently missing. We are fortunate to be surrounded by several universities and military bases. As Gov. Youngkin, State Delegates and Senators and myself are looking to retain and attract that talent, we need viable, permanent jobs that offer career paths. James City County needs to attract Technology and Research and Development businesses to the area. Governor Youngkin and other elected officials announced the investment into Jefferson Labs. Senator Tim Kaine pointed out for every $1 invested into these fields, the return is $507. This is the type of investment and careers that need to come to James City County.
Businesses bring tax revenue, which strengthens the financial base and allows us to grow in the right ways, addressing transportation, sewer and water, school, and public libraries. Revenue ensures appropriate pay and resources for our police, firefighters, and teachers. If we do this in a smart way, we can maintain the beauty, safety, and history that county residents value.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I have more than 30 years of business experience in government and the private sector, both domestic and international. My business background encompasses leadership roles in a variety of fields ranging from government, technology, construction, hospitality, and economic and community development.
My experiences provided a breadth of knowledge beneficial to the county that includes revenue generation, budgeting, change and crisis management, employee relations, negotiation, and contracting. For the past few years, my consulting work has focused on corporate reorganization and change management.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
My top priority is to engage residents, understand their priorities and concerns, and represent their interests.
Based on my conversations with voters before and during my campaign, schools are top-of-mind for many. Related priorities include budget oversight to ensure safety in our schools for students and teachers and for parental rights. The school agreement between James City County Schools and Williamsburg City Schools is important and I am a proponent of setting a deadline for Williamsburg City’s decision to ensure all are provided for with ample planning time.
Building an economic framework to support permanent jobs and career opportunities that attract and retain our regional talent is important to me. New industry in our region brings new tax revenue, which supports additional housing options and supports our existing businesses.
The increasing cost of our water within the county, difficulties business owners have working with the county, public transportation, public safety, and the safety of some of our intersections have also been brought to my attention as priority matters. All these issues are important to those who voiced them, and all deserve to be addressed with priority.
Many priorities require funding that the county needs to generate, partially through new sources. My goal is to develop and implement a plan to address these concerns in a fiscally responsible way.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
My hope is to reengage the community and hear their voices. The job of a supervisor is to lead and manage, not to control the county. My goal is to provide the resources and amenities the residents of James City County want and need while maintaining the beauty and history of the area that we all love and respect.
Marvin Franz Jr. is running for the Berkeley seat on the WJCC Schools school board.
He is a retired nuclear chemist who worked for the Surry Nuclear Power Plant for 30 years. Currently, he owns two companies related to real estate. Here is his website: franz4schoolboard.com
Why are you running for election?
I am running for election because I’m concerned about whether the education system is adequately preparing students to think logically and critically so they can achieve well rounded success in life as a citizen and within the professional world or the trades. COVID protocols resulted in significant learning losses and social isolation. Parents learned that students are being taught subject matter that does not necessarily contribute to the skills necessary for life after high school. I want to learn and see where changes need to be made and help to implement changes if necessary.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I am a problem solver by nature. As a nuclear chemist, I analyzed and solved many technical problems. As a business owner, I solve random problems on a regular basis and I have fiscal responsibility for my business. These are skills I can utilize as I review board policies and procedures and work on budget proposals and monitoring.
What will be your top priorities elected?
My top priorities if elected are ensuring students have the necessary tools needed to achieve their highest potential, ensuring parents have the opportunity to be informed and involved, and that the school budget is managed wisely.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
I hope to make a difference by working with fellow board members to ensure WJCC schools provides an excellent education for each student according to their abilities, in an environment that is supportive of parents, students, and administration. Families should want to live in WJCC because they are drawn to our area by an excellent school system.
Randy Riffle is running for the Berkeley seat on the WJCC Schools school board.
Previously, he served for three Virginia House delegates and in the Governor’s administration, and is now ready to serve as a leader in his own community. Here is his website: riffleforschoolboard.com
Why are you running for election?
Public education has provided me with countless opportunities for personal growth in the past, and now I am eager to pay it forward through service on the WJCC School Board. I want to be a strong advocate and voice for the next generation of teachers, parents, and students in WJCC Schools, ensuring that they have access to the same transformative experiences that helped shape me.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
As a recent graduate of Virginia public schools, I have firsthand experience with the demands of standardized testing (SOL) and understand the modern-day experiences of students. Additionally, my journey as a first-generation, low-income college student instilled in me a strong sense of perseverance, a vital quality when advocating for student success and finding the right balance between accountability and well-being in educational policies. My background in public service, including recent work as a substitute teacher, has sharpened my skills in communication, community outreach, and customer service, fully preparing me for this role. Having been present both at the statehouse and in the classroom, I possess a profound understanding of the common concerns within our education system, locally and across the commonwealth. I am dedicated to bringing fresh perspectives and unwavering determination to address the challenges facing our education system and to ensure the success of all our students.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
My primary focus will be on supporting the well-being and educational advancement of our community. I am committed to investing in personnel and facilities that enable us to maintain small class sizes, creating a more personalized and effective learning environment for all students. It’s imperative that our educators, bus drivers, and staff at all levels receive fair compensation and have access to the necessary resources. Students and educators are the heart of our education system, and we must prioritize their needs. Additionally, I aim to establish new partnerships and programs that cater to the diversity of our students. This includes exploring options such as magnet high schools, including International Baccalaureate (IB) and Governor’s Schools, technical academies, and initiatives like JROTC and business/career readiness partnerships. Furthermore, I will work on developing tutoring and after-school programs for K-8 students, enriching their educational experiences and providing them with a wide range of opportunities within our public school system. My goal is to create a supportive and inclusive educational environment that empowers all students to excel.
How do you hope to make a difference once in office?
I hope to use my public service background to foster a more open and collaborative environment by breaking down the barriers that often separate elected officials and constituents. I want educators, parents, and students to feel empowered to reach and be willing to share their concerns because every issue holds significance in our collective progress.
Stonehouse District
Barbara Null is running as a Republican for the Stonehouse District seat for Board of Supervisors.
Currently, she serves on the James City County Planning Commission. Here is her website: barbara4stonehouse.com
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I know the process and how the county works from my position on the County Planning Commission for the past three and a half years, plus being a member of another Planning Commission in another town. Everything that comes to the Planning Commission goes to the Board of Supervisors usually the next month for approval. I have served on other boards and committees throughout my life to include chairman of both the Charlottesville Republican Committee as well as the Williamsburg-James City Committee. I helped found the Greater Williamsburg Republican Women’s Club. In my role at UAL, I served as a purser, flight attendant as well as an inflight supervisor. I was Chief Pilot for Executive Aviation, in Harrisburg, Pa. I have a great deal of leadership experience and experience does count.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
My top priorities for the county include keeping the tax base stable while advocating for our police, first responder, teachers, and bus drivers to make sure that they are happy in their jobs and that their pay is reflective of the area. I will also make it a priority to follow the roadmap for our county growth that is included in our Comprehensive Plan, which follows citizen input.
How do you hope to make a difference once in office?
My job will be to listen to the residents of the county and take their opinions under advisement in all my decisions. I have been working for the county for almost four years now and have a record that I am proud of. I promise to be open and transparent to all the residents. I will answer their questions, meet with them, and do whatever I can to keep this county’s small town feel while operating in today’s environment.
Lisa Ownby is running for Stonehouse District supervisor.
She most recently served on the WJCC Schools school board. Here is her website: ownbyforsupervisor.com
Why are you running for this election?
It was my service on the school board that inspired me to run for the board of supervisors. So many decisions impacting our community are ultimately made by our supervisors, including school funding, workforce housing, and funding for fire, emergency medical services, police, parks, and libraries. Our board of supervisors makes critical land use decisions that impact the county’s infrastructure, our tax rate, and our quality of life. My passion and commitment to James City County and my leadership skills are well suited for service as a supervisor, and I will work to ensure the board focuses on community needs. Decisions need to be evaluated both in terms of how they impact services and amenities today, and 20 years from today. I am passionate about our community and my husband and I plan to retire here. I am deeply invested in our county’s future. Our local government should be responsive to our diverse community and our diversified economy. I believe that my listening skills and school board experience will enable me to make a unique contribution to the community as a supervisor. We need more workforce and affordable housing options, and we need to invest in fire, EMS, police, and education. We need to adapt to growth without putting undue stress on our infrastructure. All of these issues will be addressed by the board of supervisors, and my skills and talents are well suited to making data-driven decisions that benefit our community.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
We have lived in Williamsburg since 1992 and love this community. My husband and I have raised four children here. Three have graduated from Williamsburg-James City County schools and my youngest is a WJCC high school senior. My husband built a business here (Landtech Resources, Inc., a civil engineering, and land surveying firm) and we have thrived. I worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over two decades supporting families who had children with disabilities. Locally, I worked for Child Development Resources, managing a U.S. Department of Education model demonstration project. While at CDR, I was appointed by Gov. George Allen to the State Rehabilitation Advisory Council, providing policy recommendations to the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Services and ultimately the governor on policy issues impacting Virginians with disabilities. I worked for the William & Mary School of Education, recruiting students to their master’s program in special education, focusing especially on increasing diversity in the field of special education. I stayed home raising my children for nine years. During that time, I served in and continue to serve in leadership positions with WJCC school organizations, including PTA, PTSA, PTA Council, band, and athletic boosters. In 2014, I joined Landtech as Director of Operations. In 2016 I was elected to the WJCC School Board in a special election and reelected in 2017 for a four-year term. I served as vice chair and chair during my five years on the board. As chair, I led the WJCC School Board through the over-$155 million budgeting process and helped guide the division through the COVID pandemic.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
1) I will advocate for the resources our schools need to provide a world class education. WJCC schools are one of the biggest economic drivers in the county. Fully accredited schools keep families living in and moving to James City County. Good schools keep property values high. Seventy percent of the county’s budget comes from real estate taxes, and fifty percent of the county budget funds WJCC schools.
2) The sixth fire station, which was moved out of the county’s 2021 budget, is needed to improve response times, and protect families in the Stonehouse District. I will work to get that back in the 5-year capital improvement plan.
3) The Stonehouse District is the last remaining rural area of the county. I will work to preserve the small-town feel of Upper County. I will work to address growth so that there is not an undue burden placed on infrastructure: schools, fire, EMS, and police.
4) Solar is the wave of the future. Many landowners in the Stonehouse District no longer want to farm their land traditionally but want to pivot to solar farming. I will work to ensure the board of supervisors has adequate policy guidance to develop more solar energy to bring down energy costs and protect our environment.
5) There are many areas in the county where high-speed internet is not reliably available, and citizens only have one provider to choose from. I will explore increased broadband availability.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
There are huge municipal fiscal implications to the joint WJCC school division possible dissolution. I believe the division is stronger together, and I will work to ensure the best decision is made for our students. WJCC schools have operated a joint school division since 1955. I fear that a precedent will be set for future joint municipal partnerships between James City County and the City of Williamsburg, if the respective boards choose to operate separate divisions. My wheelhouse is K-12, and that represents 50 percent of James City County’s annual budget. Good schools keep folks moving to and remaining in our county, and that keeps property values high. Well-educated graduates help economic development too. I am well versed not only in K-12 issues nationally, but I am very familiar with the operations of WJCC schools. I have been a parent in WJCC since 2002 and continue to be. As a school board member, I worked with the Williamsburg City Council, current James City County Board of Supervisors members and our General Assembly delegation on school funding issues. I have the skill set and experience to work collaboratively with City Council members and Supervisors to navigate the dissolution of the joint school system if that moves forward.
Growth in James City County cannot be stopped; however, it does need to be managed well. I will work to address county growth while balancing the impact on infrastructure. Seventy percent of the county’s budget comes from real estate taxes. The county needs citizens to move to, build in, and live here long-term. I will ask for the appropriate proffers from developers to help mitigate the burden of residential development on a county’s infrastructure. I will support mixed used development and work to encourage economic development to ensure a diversified tax base to slow residential sprawl while still maintaining a sufficient tax base.
The primary job of a supervisor to be a conduit for information from citizens to the board and county staff. I will engage with and respond to all citizens, all the time. I will be present and available to the community.
Michael Hosang is running to represent the Stonehouse District on the WJCC Schools school board.
Here is his website: www.hosang4schoolboard.com
Why are you running for election?
I am running for the Stonehouse District School Board position because I want to make a difference in our students lives, ensuring that today’s students have the right educational experience to be tomorrow’s citizens and leaders. We accomplish this goal by ensuring our students receive the best education the taxpayers of our district can provide. That means a safe learning environment, employing the best administrators, staff, and teachers who are conversant in their subject areas of study, thus providing the opportunity for all students to excel in their preferred areas, whether college preparatory classes, hands-on training at New Horizons, the military, or simply entering the workforce. We must do all we can to ensure that upon graduation, we have prepared our students to face and overcome the challenges of this world.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I have a multitude of experience that qualifies me to be an ideal candidate for the school board. As an attorney for over 30 years, all of my cases have an attorney/opponent on the other side, which I must work with to resolve cases. I must advise them, judges, and clients of the potential outcomes of different phases each course may take as the case moves forward. Simple disagreements in these situations, and life in general, happen all the time and one cannot let these disagreements affect them or else cases come to a standstill. I have overcome these issues and reached out to my legal adversaries to always get the best outcome for each situation and will do so on the School Board with constituents, teachers, administrators, and politicians. I served in the United States Army for 27 years, holding multiple positions where I led numerous teams and personnel to accomplish our mission. I was the Officer in Charge, Detainee Review Board, in Afghanistan, eventually leading over 150 personnel to implement the new detainee review process to process those captured on the battlefield. I taught new military attorneys for three years at the Judge Advocate General School, instructing on trial advocacy and criminal law. I have worked as a labor law attorney for 20 years, representing several federal agencies in all aspects of equal employment and personnel law. This experience has provided me with the necessary knowledge to be able to work with teachers, administrative personnel, and staff to come up with solutions to ensure that our students will receive the best education and our teachers receive the support they deserve. I have served on a Homeowners Association Board, ensuring that all rules and regulations are followed; to be good stewards of the yearly dues paid by homeowners; and to be fiscally responsible with our budget, ensuring that we did not spend money we did not have and made tough decisions on cutting certain services in order not to raise the dues of homeowners.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
Teachers have advised me that lack of discipline and lack of support from school administrators are the two biggest problems in our schools today. Students need to respect the authority of teachers. When teachers discipline students and administrators do not support the teachers, teachers are left “in limbo” and students know they can do pretty much whatever they want, without fear of consequences. Teachers have the right to expect respect and courtesy from students, and support from the administration when they discipline students. Without this, we are seeing chaos in some of our schools. The politicization of public education will have a lasting and detrimental effect on our students. The teachers I have spoken with want to get back to instructing their students in the subject areas they have been trained in, not political topics that politicians deem are important. Test scores are falling because teachers must spend an inordinate amount of time away from the core subjects. We must listen to the concerns of our academic teachers and allow them to teach the subject matter they were trained to instruct.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
I will make a difference serving on the School Board by giving power to the parents, a voice to the voters and ensuring accountability of the school board.
Power to the parents: According to Virginia law, parents have the ultimate authority over their children, not the school system. Thus, I will ensure that parents will have to opt in/opportunity to enroll their children into certain classes, to check out certain library books, and to have input over what their children are being taught. This will give power back to the parents, which Virginia law dictates.
Voice to voters: I believe that voters should have a say in how and what tomorrow’s leaders are being taught. The current School Board has made multiple decisions that negate the voice of district voters. For example, district voters should have a say as to what textbooks are used or what books are in the school libraries. I will ensure that voters have a right to speak out/up on issues facing the school system as they have the right to speak out on how our future leaders are educated.
Accountability of school board: The current school board does not like to make decisions, but prefers to pass the buck to the governor, superintendent, principals, and librarians. The school board are the elected officials and should answer to the voters as they oversee the entire school system. The buck stops with the school board and they need to take responsibility for their actions/inactions and not blame others for what takes place in their school system.
Damon Walker is running for the Stonehouse seat for WJCC Schools school board.
Here is his website: www.walker4schoolboard.com
Why are you running for election?
My reason for running is simple. I believe in quality public education for all students, and I believe in preserving our public education system. I want to be on the school board to be a voice and a vote that represents all students, including the economically disadvantaged, the English language learners as well as the students with disabilities. I’ve served this country as an active-duty Army Officer for over 21 years, culminating my career as a Deputy Comptroller. Throughout that time, my military career required me to move every 2-4 years which did not allow me to plant roots in any one community for a long period of time. That all changed in 2020 when I decided to retire from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. My wife and I decided to build our forever home in Toano with no plans to move anytime soon. The point I’m trying to make is my entire adult life has been about serving. I’ve served my country, now it’s time to serve my community as the next School Board representative for the Stonehouse District.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
My last job on active duty I served as the deputy comptroller (civilian equivalent of an assistant chief financial officer) and advisor to a commanding general (civilian equivalent of a chief executive officer). I oversaw the overall financial management and accounting of a $540M budget. I also served as a commander on multiple occasions during my Army career. Many of the responsibilities I had as both the deputy comptroller and commander mirror those in the WJCC Public Schools School Board’s Standard Operating Procedures under the School Board Powers and Responsibilities. I understand financial management. I understand the importance of prioritizing funding to best accommodate an enterprise to meet the vision, mission, and overall goal. The experience I’ve gained as an US Army officer will reduce my learning curve and allow me to hit the ground running. What’s more important is that I have vested interest in the success of the WJCC School District. My wife is a teacher within the district. My son who has a disability attends school within the district. I have experience as a parent of a student with special needs and I know the struggles parents have when it comes to ensuring children receive resources the law states they should receive.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
I will focus on reducing the achievement gap that was widened during the COVID pandemic, work to find common ground on the policies within the district to ensure they are inclusive of all the district is charged to support, and recommend changes we can incorporate to retain and recruit teachers.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
I would remind the board members of bullet #12 of the WJCC Public Schools School Board’s Standard Operating Procedures Code of Conduct which states, “I will always remember that the foremost concern of the board is to improve and enhance the teaching and learning experience for all students in the public schools of Virginia.” I believe if we keep that in mind in every discussion and vote, then we will be the voice all students within the district deserve.
Roberts District
John McGlennon is seeking another term as supervisor for the Roberts District.
He was first elected to the board in 1997. John is a professor of Government and Public Policy at the College of William & Mary, where he has been president of the Faculty Assembly and chaired the Department of Government for 16 years. Here is his website: https://johnmcglennon.com/
Why are you running for re-election?
I believe I can continue to provide strong constituent service to the residents of the Roberts District, because James City County faces some crucial decisions in the next few years, and because there are projects that I want to see through for the community. In the latter case, I want to see completion of a new park in Grove, a decision about the county government complex, a determination by the City as to whether we will continue to have a joint school system, and how to continue the excellent services provided by James City County.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I have the ability to understand the issues the county faces, the background to propose and evaluate solutions to problems we may confront, and the experience to deliver successful outcomes. My record of careful fiscal stewardship has helped produce Triple-A bond ratings that save the county’s taxpayers money. I have fought to reduce the pace of residential growth while addressing the need for affordable housing for our most vulnerable citizens. My efforts to protect environmentally sensitive and historic lands have yielded tangible results, with the acquisition of Mainland Farm and the Purchase of Development Rights programs. I’ve led the county’s efforts to address climate change on a local level, and I have supported efforts to bring competition to our cable and internet providers to improve service and reduce cost. As a professor of government, I also bring a professional expertise to my role as supervisor, and I have provided leadership for local governments at the state and national levels.
What will be your top priorities if re-elected?
I will continue to work to protect our quality of life, with great facilities, outstanding public servants, and robust programming. I will continue to work on expanding the availability of pre-K spaces and new facilities to eliminate the wait list for young children with need, while returning space in our elementary schools to their original purpose. While I hope that the City of Williamsburg will see the value of maintaining a joint school system, I will work with the schools to make sure that they are able to attract and retain the best teachers and to offer effective instruction to all the children in James City County (and hopefully, Williamsburg).
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
My record is one of working together with citizens, organizations and my fellow board members to address challenges and opportunities. I believe that citizens will tell you that I am responsive to their concerns, that I listen and address these concerns honestly and fairly, even when I may not agree with their preferred answer. I have a record of advocating for citizen voices to be heard, whether in listening to the community’s concerns in Grove, explaining the county’s role in considering development proposals in Kingsmill, insisting on public information sessions when VDOT proposes changes at Route 199 and the Jamestown Road area, or stormwater impacts along Neck-O-Land Road. Those efforts produce real results and that’s how I hope to make a difference.
Trevor Topping is seeking to serve the Roberts District as supervisor.
Here is his website: www.toppingforsupervisor.com
Why are you running for election?
As a young husband, seeing local and national issues through my daily experiences both professionally and personally, it came on my heart to get involved. I want to bring a new generation of leadership to the county with fresh ideas and fresh energy. Instead of just talking about things I would like to see in the county, I want to be about them. I am willinging to put in the time and the effort to ensure my family’s future in James City County is a great one. I feel I will bring a unique voice to the board as someone who is looking to grow their family in the county.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I was raised by two loving parents in Newport News, Virginia. They taught me common sense, hard work, and family oriented core values. After college I was hired into Geico’s management training program which eventually led me to a job as a Risk Advisor for Towne Insurance. Now I have my own Financial Services business. Self employment pushes you to learn a multitude of new skills which I will bring to my time on the board. Furthermore, my experience working with real estate agents and writing liability insurance contracts on properties for over 8 years gives me a great understanding of what brings value to a neighborhood and grows the value of real estate. I am certain my skill set will be a great asset to the James City County taxpayer.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
My top priority is making sure the right development happens in James City County. I will be open to bringing tax revenue and jobs to the district, while also using common sense and shutting down the wrong development. I want to be a direct line for our community members to call and discuss ideas, concerns, and visions. I will work to do a deep dive into our finances to make sure we are spending money efficiently while taking care of those who take care of us, our teachers, bus drivers, firefighters, policemen and women, and first responders. I will get involved with county staff and the school board to make clear what I will and will not approve budget wise, give suggestions on adjustments to the school budget (which is 49% of the county budget), and focus on keeping taxes as low as we can for the average James City County resident.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
I hope to bring a difference by bringing a fresh new perspective to local politics and a voice for the people that have been silenced. During this campaign I have talked with many parents who feel like their concerns of the administrative fluff in the school budget go unacknowledged. Talking with residents I hear over and over again that they don’t know what the main issues are in the county, (like the school split) until they find out the county supervisors have already voted on it. I want to fix this breakdown in communication and be the most communicative board member James City County has ever seen! We need transparency and more town hall meetings. This will lead to better communication between the supervisors, the county staff, and the residents of the county.
Daniel Cavazos is a doctor who wants to serve as the Roberts District representative on the WJCC Schools school board.
Here is his website: www.dancavazos4schoolboard.com
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
The reason I feel I am an ideal candidate is that I am a father of six children, five of whom attended WJCC schools. I know the strengths of our community, but I also have firsthand knowledge of the needed changes. Although my children are grown, I have only one purpose in running for school board: I want to be a part of the process to educate the future of America. This is more than a slogan. Our children will soon be responsible for maintaining the community and the country that we give them. As a physician, I have been involved in the education of residents, medical students, other medical professionals, and high school students as a mentor for the Governor’s School. I’ve served on several boards during my career: St. Mary Star of the Sea School Board, Regional Health Planning Agency for Commonwealth of Virginia, Mary Immaculate Hospital/Bon Secours Health System, Surgical Suites of Coastal Virginia, and the University of Texas Presidential Committee on Women and Minority Affairs. As a veteran, I understand the challenges our military families face when selecting schools for their children. My experiences in all these realms make me uniquely qualified to serve the WJCC community.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
1) Advocate for student success: I will work to improve reading and math scores and to narrow the achievement gap among students.
2) Promote a safe environment for students and faculty, by encouraging our schools to apply for the “Stronger Connections” grant program, a program designed to improve security, analyze threat assessments, and enhance communications during emergencies.
3) Fiscal transparency: As a physician partner in an independent orthopedic practice, I understand the importance of managing the county’s finances responsibly. I want taxpayers to know that their hard-earned dollars will be spent efficiently and effectively.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
I hope to make a difference in student literacy. The fundamental skill of reading is essential to success in society. Unfortunately, the 2022 SOL reading scores for WJCC third grade students averaged 77%. Asian and Caucasian students passed the test at an average of 86.5%; Blacks and Hispanics at an average of 60.5%. These scores are unacceptable. Despite the district’s effort, the level of reading proficiency, measured by the SOL, has not improved over the past 20 years. It is time to apply new ideas with a commitment to improving the literacy rate of our students.
Max Blalock Jr. is hoping to win a seat on the WJCC Schools school board, representing the Roberts District.
He is William and Mary’s Wesley Foundation pastor. Here is his website: www.max4wjccschools.com
Why are you running for election?
I have two sons in the school system, and I want to work to ensure that all students have a safe, nurturing community in which they receive an excellent education. My district is a diverse district, and the students, families, teachers, and staff deserve to have someone that will truly represent them. I will do this by going directly to the neighborhoods and communities where our families live and having events where we can engage with each other beyond the usual school hours when so many parents are working. It is not that so many of our parents don’t want to be involved. I believe it is the reality that so much of the time, access to students’ teachers, administrators, and school board members don’t work because of conflicts with work schedules. We need to be more creative and responsive to the needs of our diverse families as well as our diverse students.
Excellent public schools are key to maintaining and improving the quality of life here for every resident, and I want to be a part of keeping our schools excellent and making them better. Great public schools not only empower our children to learn and grow, but they also ensure that our workforce is strong, our property values are stable, and our community continues to thrive. Building support for our schools and improving them is perhaps the best investment we can make in our community.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I am the only candidate who has experience teaching in public schools. I taught earth science and life science in middle school for two years. I am the only candidate who is closely connected to the WJCC schools. Both of my sons have been educated in WJCC schools their entire educational careers. One is now a junior at Lafayette, and the other is a seventh grader at Berkeley.
As campus minister at William & Mary’s Wesley Foundation, I have focused on building coalitions and programs to improve the lives of students there. I brought together a team to create a Food Exchange now serving over 2500 meals a year to food-insecure students and staff, and I worked with students, staff, and faith leaders to ensure better working conditions for campus food service staff. I know what it takes to bring people together for the betterment of our community, and I will continue to do that as a school board member.
Finally, I already have strong relationships with present school board members, county commissioners, and members of the city council. Those relationships will prove invaluable in working together to ensure that our schools are fully funded, fully staffed, and excellent for all students.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
Our school system is coping with the challenges the pandemic created, revealed, and exacerbated. We must help our students catch up on the academic and social development they missed out on. We can address this by utilizing the funds just provided by the state to provide tutors for our students who need it. Research shows that the single most effective way that we can empower students to recover academically is focused tutoring two times a week. We can recruit the needed tutors for this. We also know that when we are hungry, we are not at our best. Thus, we can take advantage of increased federal funding for school meal programs and ensure that every student gets a nutritious breakfast and lunch at school.
We need to ensure that our teachers are fully supported and comparably paid, so that they will feel respected and appreciated and will continue to teach in our system. We must help our students’ families understand how best they can support their children’s learning while recognizing that so many parents and caregivers are themselves facing acute shortages of time and resources.
We need to do a better job of coping with workforce shortfalls like the current shortage of bus drivers, which has required some of our students to walk to school or be driven to school by parents. We need to have our representatives and senators advocating with us for the commonwealth to adopt the new standards for school bus drivers that make it easier for people to get their commercial driver’s license for a school bus. The school board needs to work more closely with the Board of Supervisors and the City Council to create the infrastructure to make it safe for students to travel on foot and for parents to wait in car lines on busy highways.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
The primary role of the administration of WJCC Schools and the school board is to put the welfare of students and their families first, as well as the teachers and staff. The administration and the school board need to be more creative, courageous, and collaborative in making decisions. We need to actively seek input from students and their families, as well as teachers and staff, in order to make decisions that have integrity and compassion and are in the best interests of all students and families. I will ensure that we listen to the families of the students who will be most affected by these decisions.
As a campus minister and pastor, I have lots of experience speaking in front of people and crafting a message that gets to the heart of the matter. I have also attended several school board meetings and spoken up about ensuring the safety of our students. Most importantly, as I say about my responsibility as a campus minister, I have a simple job: to ensure that students are as safe and well cared for as possible. That will be my approach to serving as a member of the board, to ensure that all students are safe and well cared for in our schools. Our schools will be fully staffed, fully funded, and robustly supported by the community.
House of Delegates
Republican Del. Amanda Batten is up for re-relection for Virginia House Delegate for the 71 District.
She was first elected to the House in 2019 and previously represented the 96th District. Before being elected to the General Assembly, she served as a legislative aide to former Del. Brenda Pogge. Here is her website: www.amandabatten.com
Why are you running for re-election?
The newly drawn 71st District includes a significant percentage of the current 96th District, which I have had the privilege of serving for nearly four years. During that time—and previously during my work as a legislative aide for local General Assembly members—I have learned firsthand about the unique challenges and opportunities facing our region. More importantly, I have consistently worked closely with constituents, businesses, local governments, and other stakeholders to identify policies that will ensure the region remains vibrant, both culturally and economically.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
For over fifteen years, I have been actively involved in civic and political organizations within the district. Prior to living in Virginia, I had the opportunity to live in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Rhode Island, California, and Japan. On a personal level, I have been a student at a community college and a four-year institution before ultimately earning my bachelor’s degree via an online university program. Like many in our region, I arrived in the area courtesy of the United States military. I am married with one adult son, a recent graduate of Virginia Tech, and three adult stepdaughters. My personal background—combined with my longstanding community relationships—has enabled me to carry commonsense bipartisan legislation to address the real-life concerns of Virginians. I currently serve as the Majority Caucus Chair in the House of Delegates, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for policies that benefit the residents of the 71st House District.
What will be your top priorities if re-elected?
Ensuring our local economy is diversified and the cost of living remains reasonable are top concerns. During the 2023 session, I supported funding that ultimately resulted in the recently announced addition of a new facility at Jefferson Lab. This provides a potential for partnership in the Williamsburg area, and I will continue working with local entities to identify how we can capitalize on this opportunity. Meanwhile, inflation is driving higher prices, and housing costs are soaring due to a variety of factors. I have successfully carried legislation to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses, and I strongly supported the repeal of the Commonwealth’s portion of the grocery tax. I will continue working to reduce state-imposed costly regulatory burdens that result in higher costs for Virginians.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
Providing top-tier constituent service remains my priority. By the time individuals or businesses contact our office for support, they have often made multiple attempts at resolution and are frustrated by an ongoing challenge. Our goal is to ensure that government is working for those it serves: the residents of our Commonwealth. We strive to inform constituents that our office can be the first stop for successful resolution of a concern. Similarly, my legislative priorities reflect the expressed needs of our community, and I will continue carrying bills that address the interests of constituents and local stakeholders.
Jessica Anderson is running as a Democrat for House District 71.
She currently works as a front office receptionist at a public elementary school in the WJCC Schools school division. Here is her website: jessicaandersonforva.com
Why are you running for election?
The 71st District deserves a delegate who is committed to representing all who call our wonderful district home. The legislation that comes out of our state government often has the greatest impact on the lives of our citizens, whether we are funding local transportation projects, making it easier for small businesses to get established, or expanding access to health care. I’m looking forward to introducing thoughtful policy that ensures every person has an equal opportunity to thrive.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I am the only candidate for delegate in the 71st District that uniquely understands the challenges that many people in our community face. As a former single mother who struggled to put food on the table and afford health insurance for her three young daughters, I’ve experienced how the system is not designed to help people improve their situation and get off assistance. We must do better to support people who are struggling. Currently, I work as a front office receptionist at an elementary school in my district and have seen firsthand the inner workings of our public schools and what parents, students, and teachers need to be successful. I’ll be taking my life experiences with me to Richmond as I advocate for the best interests of everyday Virginians.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
I am running to protect our reproductive freedoms, fully fund our public education system, enact family care workforce policies like paid family and sick leave, and pass common sense gun safety reforms that keep our kids and communities safe from senseless violence.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
Public service is an honor and one that I won’t take lightly when in office. I am eager to get to work improving the lives of my fellow Virginians with legislation that ensures the 71st District continues to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
State Senate
Democrat Sen. Monty Mason is running for re-election Senate District 24.
He was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2013 before being elected to serve in the Senate in 2016. Here is his website masonforvirginia.com
Why are you running for re-election?
Having served in the General Assembly for almost a decade, I know firsthand how much positive impact the General Assembly can provide to Virginians. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life making progress on meaningful issues like supporting small businesses thrive, improving the child welfare system in Virginia, expanding health care access, investing in our schools, and so much more. If re-elected, I will be number 18 out of 40 in seniority and I am in line to chair a committee. I am in a position to really elevate the voices of my constituents across the Peninsula and want to continue delivering results for the people of this district.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
Before I was elected into office, I spent 25-years working in business and real estate with LandAmerica Finance Group and Visa, where I served as a senior director of Fraud Prevention and Risk Management. My professional experience has given me a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing Virginia and the skills necessary to address them. In addition to my experience working in the business sector, I also have ten years of experience working on behalf of my constituents in the State Legislature.
What will be your top priorities if re-elected?
If re-elected, I would continue advancing the priorities I have spent the last decade working on. I want to ensure we make progress on vital transportation and infrastructure improvement projects like expanding I-64 all the way to Richmond and completing the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project. I will also continue being a staunch advocate for our veterans and seniors, and will focus on further improving the foster care system to protect our most vulnerable.
How do you hope to make a difference while in office?
Having served in the legislature for over ten years now, I know firsthand that good representation and strong legislation can transform lives. I am proud of what I’ve accomplished in the past to better enrich the lives of my constituents and of my district. If re-elected, I will continue putting people over politics to deliver results for my region. In fact, I am proud to have recently returned to Richmond to pass a state budget that included historic investments in Virginia’s education system, about $1 billion in tax reductions, mostly in the form of a one-time tax rebate of $200 for individuals and $400 for joint filers, as well as increasing the standard deduction. This budget also provides increased support for our veterans by removing the age requirement for a military retiree tax benefit, successfully taking an important step toward ensuring we are honoring and supporting our servicemen and women to the highest degree.
Republican Danny Diggs is running for the seat in Senate District 24.
He is the retired sheriff for the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. Here is his website: www.diggsforsenate.com
Why are you running for election?
I am running to make sure that we do all that we can to ensure that we are safe in our homes, our communities, and that our kids are safe in our schools. I want to make sure that our children are properly educated and that our parents have a say so in their kids’ education. Lastly, we need to do all that we can to reduce our tax burden.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I have been married for 43 years. I am a father with two daughters and a grandfather with four grandchildren. I have been a law enforcement officer for 45 years and I was the Sheriff of York and Poquoson for 23 years. I know exactly what needs to be done to make our communities a safer place to live and raise a family. Additionally, I was the founding member of the York Chamber of Commerce, I have been a part of the business community for years so I have a deep understanding of what their needs are. I have been active in the community and have served on the Board of several non-profit organizations
What will be your top priorities if elected?
My top priorities will be to lower our tax burden, improve the educational quality of our children, and make our communities a safer place to live and raise a family.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
I hope to bring my years of public service as a law enforcement to the General Assembly. During those years, I served everyone no matter what their beliefs were. I developed problem solving skills that will be useful in dealing with the various personalities and issues that I will face in the Senate. I found solutions for a variety of problems in the community and made it a better place to live and I intend to take this same approach to Richmond.
Republican Sen. Ryan McDougle is seeking re-election for Senate District 26.
McDougle is a former prosecutor for the Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. Before representing the former District 4, he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002-2006. Ryan did not respond to our request to participate in this Q&A. Here is his website: www.ryanmcdougle.com
Pamela Garner is running as a Democrat for Senate District 26.
She is a former educator who later served in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard for 30 years, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. She currently owns a small business in Gloucester. Here is her website: www.garnerforva.com
Why are you running for election?
This is a pivotal year for Virginia. I am giving voters an option to select someone who will work for all people and be transparent. I served my country for over three decades and now I am ready to serve my community, to protect our core values: helping Virginians lead safer and better lives, protecting reproductive freedom, expanding gun safety, and supporting strong public schools with good pay and working conditions for our teachers. I pledge to work every single day to protect our rights and defend our democracy.
What qualifications make you an ideal candidate?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in physics with a minor in mathematics from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s degree in physics from Virginia State University. I taught high school physics and math in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Gloucester County public schools for over a decade. I am a small business owner in Gloucester and serve as an elections officer there. I am also one of the founders of a non-profit that provide health and financial literacy seminars, scholarships, and school supplies for local students in the Middle Peninsula.
I served over 30 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. My last position was strategic plans and policy joint director, successfully managing high-level military programs. I also managed statewide COVID-19 response efforts across 11 agencies and localities, managed budgets of more than $25.5 million, commanded a 200+-member military squadron, and overhauled inefficient systems to increase productivity and transparency. As a military leader and commander, I have honed my listening skills, so I am able to speak up for those who aren’t in the room and give power to their voices. I am a problem solver and know how to inspire people to do the right thing for the right reason so each of us can change our world for the better. I am a change agent and can do it diplomatically. Democracy is on the table, and I am the right person to help keep it.
What will be your top priorities if elected?
1)Reproductive freedom – should be a fundamental right for a person and their healthcare provider to decide.
2)Expanded gun safety – sensible gun laws that keep guns out of the hands of children; complete background checks; training requirements for gun owners; bring back the assault weapons ban.
3)Strong public schools – good pay and working conditions for teachers; all children have the right to a world class education no matter what their zip code.
How do you hope to make a difference in office?
Representation for and responsiveness to the people, while providing transparency and actively engaging the community.
We thank all the candidates who took the time to answer our questions. If a candidate would like to participate, or missed our invite for participation see below. We would like to thank all the people who are willing to run as candidates and represent us in government.
If you are not sure where to vote, if you are registered or your precinct, visit www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/polling-place-lookup
Brandy Centolanza is a freelance journalist who has been writing about the Greater Williamsburg area community since 2001. She most recently served as editor of Peninsula Chronicle, an online business publication in Hampton Roads. Brandy lives in James City County with her husband, two children, two cats, and a bearded dragon named Craig.
Did we miss a local candidate? Are you are an area candidate running in the November election and would like to be a part of this article please contact Brandy Centolanza
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