Amid uncertainty, supervisor candidates plan strategies
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Base Map Copyright 2006 Chesterfield County Chesterfield County's five magisterial districts are divided equally by population.

 

While the current members of the Board of Supervisors will not face an election for sixteen months, the November 2007 race presents unusual challenges for incumbents with the possibility that the status quo could be upset.

Most of the potential challengers are sitting on the fence, at least publicly. While Chesterfield County's political parties are being courted, no obvious slate of candidates is emerging yet. Some political prospects are considering the independent route.

Matoaca District No race is more unsettled than the sprawling district that stretches from Ettrick in the south to the upscale suburbs in northwestern Chesterfield. According to several party sources, Republican Renny Humphrey had told some fellow Republicans she was not going to run, but late last week she said "she was still considering running but wouldn't decide for a month or two."

 

"She wants to run but doesn't want to lose," confided one party member. "If enough candidates enter the race, she could win."

In 2003 Humphrey didn't spend some of her campaign funds and barely eked out a win over Democrat Bill Hastings. Later, she fell out of favor with some Chesterfield Republicans when it was revealed that she financially supported opponents of Republican Dickie King in his Bermuda District race. Some local Republicans are

doubting her candidacy and considering others, but the Republican primary is not until June 2007. Republican operative Harry Marsh, a Matoaca resident and her former planning commissioner, said he wouldn't be surprised if there were four or five names on the ballot. Humphrey won her first board term in 1995 against three candidates.

"If Renny chooses not to run," said Marsh, "Steve Elswick would certainly be the front runner. Whoever carries the Republican banner would have to be the favorite."

Elswick, a 31-year employee of Chesterfield County, retired last year after six and one-half years as fire chief. A Matoaca District resident since 1978, he is active in the Republican party where he has friends. Elswick said he expects to make a decision next month, adding, "I'm leaning toward running."

Matoaca's Humphrey

Chesterfield Republican Chairman Jim Davis said how the party will determine who its candidates are hasn't been determined. "We're focused on reelecting Senator George Allen and the congressional candidates this fall," he explained.

Hastings will be running again for supervisor in 2007, but "he won't be the only Democratic prospect," according to spokesperson Lynne Cooper. Democrats are eyeing citizen groups and their issues in a search for candidates. "We'll be active in every district," Cooper promised.

Hastings plans to run "most likely as a Democrat," stressing more business growth and less residential development.

Matoaca District residents have been the most vocal about growth and its impact on schools and roads. Many residents have openly disagreed with Humphrey's voting record on zoning cases. The once largely rural district has undergone considerable change in recent years. Matoaca District has more land already approved for future residential neighborhoods.

Perhaps the most vocal critics of the county are Matoaca residents including Brenda Stewart, Shelly Schuetz, Slugger Morrissette and Marlene Durfee. As executive director of the Responsible Growth Alliance of Chesterfield, Durfee is another possible supervisor candidate. "I'm not ruling it out," she said.

The RGA may churn out a candidate for every one of the five Magisterial Districts. "Those discussions [about forming a Political Action Committee] are in the works," Durfee confirmed.

Many in the business community are suspicious about whether the RGA supports responsible growth or no growth, and that reputation could make fundraising difficult. "Money won't be as important in the upcoming supervisor races," offered Durfee.

Though he had once considered being a candidate, Matoaca Planning Commissioner Wayne Bass was taking himself out of consideration. "I'm not going to run," he said. "I'm not a politically correct person ... I think it's time for a change. Some supervisors have been on the board for a long time."

Martin Deal, a retired Virginia Power employee who is active in youth athletic associations, is reported to be considering a run. Randy Whelan, a Petersburg businessman who became involved because of his opposition to a River Road rezoning, has also voiced interest.

Kevin Salminen, a CPA and member of the Chesterfield Republican party, is a declared candidate with his website already operational (www.kevinsalminen.com).

Midlothian Having defeated all comers in previous contests since 1991, no one opposed Democrat Ed Barber in the 2003 supervisor race. But facing two sex charges from his stepdaughter with a preliminary hearing later this month, things are different for 2007.

 

Asked if he would run, Barber responded, "I'm keeping my options open." Prior to his arrest, some local Democrats were mentioning his name as a possible Lt. Governor aspirant.

Midlothian's Barber

Cooper pledged Democratic party support for Barber if he decides to run.

Potential competitors are keeping their options open by letting the Chesterfield board know they are interested in being appointed to fulfill Barber's term should he resign or be found guilty later this year. According to board Chairman Dickie King, Mark Tubbs and Donald Sowder "have indicated their availability."

There has been speculation that Barber might resign. If he resigned after July 1, a board vote would determine any possible replacement. A resignation prior to July 1 would mean a special election.

With support from the Democratic party, Tubbs lost his 2003 race to unseat incumbent Art Warren from the Clover Hill District. Tubbs is moving late next month into the Midlothian District.

"I'm not moving for that purpose," Tubbs said, "but I would be interested." He joined the Republican party last year but is undecided about running in 2007.

Donald Sowder, a Charter Woods resident for the past seven years, is a retired Army colonel and does some part-time consulting. A county Republican, he wants more emphasis on commercial growth. He criticized Barber's opposition to the Watkins Centre rezoning earlier this year. Other Republicans, according to King, have suggested Midlothian School Board member Jim Schroeder as a replacement for Barber. Schroeder announced several months ago he would be ending his school board service next year to spend more time with his family and business. Being a supervisor is considered to be more time consuming than serving on the school board.

"I'm considering running, but the big conflict is time, trying to find balance in my life for my family and my business," Schroeder explained.

Bermuda District

Bermuda's King

Republican King prevailed against two opponents in 2003, but they may be back. Friends report he's enjoying his leadership role as chairman this year, and King says he will run again.

 

Jack McHale, the former Independent supervisor, is now retired and says he won't decide about his candidacy until January. "I'm thinking about it, but I have to decide if I have a real chance of winning," he said.

Ree Hart ran as a Democrat in 2003 but has had no "official discussions" with party members about her candidacy. "I'll have to decide how I want to spend four years of my life," said the business and community leader.

Dale District

Dale's Miller

After serving several years on the planning commission, Republican Kelly Miller was elected in 1999 and was reelected in 2003 without opposition. At press time there are no known candidates in his district.

 

"It's still too early, but I don't know of any reason I wouldn't run," Miller said.

 

 

 

Clover Hill District

Clover Hill's Warren

There is also no known opposition to Art Warren's assumed candidacy. "He's planning on running," said Russ Gulley, Warren's planning commissioner and long-time supporter.

 

First elected in 1991, Warren was the leader on the Chesterfield board with the support of Humphrey and McHale. When McHale lost to King in the last election, Miller, King and Barber united to become the board majority.