Humphrey won't run
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Humphrey

What had been speculated earlier this year is now official: Renny Humphrey, Matoaca supervisor since 1996, won't seek another four-year term next year when all supervisors' seats are up for election.

"I'm looking forward to being a full-time PTA mother," said Humphrey. Her daughter, Annie, starts school in the fall. Humphrey may become a teacher later on.

"I had my time where I fit the supervisor role best," Humphrey declared. "I lived in the center of the district, grew up in the Matoaca community and graduated from Clover Hill High School where more of the population lives."

Asked about what she is proudest of, she pointed to the new Matoaca and Cosby high schools. Matoaca High School opened in the fall of 2001. "When I got on the board, the [old Matoaca high school] band wore hand-me-down black pants from another high school and t-shirts without matching shoes," she recalled. "They have real band uniforms now."

Cosby High School opened last September.

To show the finality of her decision, she'll disperse campaign funds to a couple of candidates and nonprofits before year's end. Some of that money will go to "my Little Leagues" and the candidate she hopes will succeed her-Steve Elswick.

Elswick recently retired as the county's fire chief after 31 years with the fire department, and is "leaning strongly to announcing my candidacy next month."

"I'm encouraged by the support I'm getting from friends and members of the [Chesterfield Republican] Committee," Elswick said. County Republicans say he'll have the official support of the committee.

But it could be a crowded field next November. Fellow Republican Kevin Salminen already has a Web site and bumper stickers and has been distributing campaign fliers. Marleen Durfee, executive director of the Alliance for Responsible Growth for Chesterfield, is said to be pondering a run as well.

Bill Hastings, the Matoaca Democrat who almost upset Humphrey in 2003, said earlier this year he will run again.

There could be other candidates since residential growth is a top issue in the district. Humphrey has been criticized by some residents for votes on several zoning issues.

"I had my window of time," Humphrey said smiling. "You have to be humble when you go into office and graceful when you leave."