Chosen by default?
Salminen is the only declared GOP candidate for Matoaca supervisor
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Salminen

Despite receiving the backing of insiders from the Chesterfield Republican Committee, Edgar Wallin, a former director of human resources for Chesterfield County Public Schools, has decided not to run for the open supervisor seat in the Matoaca District. Wallin made his decision last Friday due to health reasons.

Fellow Republicans Bob Herndon and Steve Elswick have also dropped out of the race.

That leaves Kevin Salminen as the only announced Republican candidate in the district. He declared his candidacy before any other Republican and has been attending numerous meetings to pass out literature and urge voters to visit his Web site.

"Party members admire his pluck," said one Republican, "but he's not really known."

"Unless another Republican comes forward, Kevin will be the party's nominee," said Chairman Sherman Litton of the Chesterfield Republican Committee.

"Since January, I've been going door-to-door on nights and on the weekends when it doesn't rain," said Salminen. "I think my candidacy is going well."

Asked what he would do if his party backs another candidate, Salminen said, "I support the Republican Party, and I'm confident that I can win."

Hastings

After discussions with the local Republican Party last year, current Matoaca Supervisor Renny Humphrey announced that she wouldn't seek re-election. Some Republican officials were concerned about her chances of winning in a district where many longtime and new residents are complaining about the amount of residential growth. In 2003, Humphrey barely won re-election though she had more campaign funds and was better known than her competitor, Democrat Bill Hastings.

"Some party members came back to me and asked me to reconsider," acknowledged Humphrey. "It was very gratifying, but I'm going to be a stay-at-home mom."

Democrats

The Democrats usually have to recruit someone to run for supervisor, but are in the unusual position this year of having two declared candidates for Matoaca. Last week during a Chesterfield Democratic Committee meeting, Hastings and his challenger Don Wilms, a former president of the Chesterfield Education Association, disagreed on whether to use a party caucus or primary to select a party candidate.

The elections committee recommended using a caucus in all races where there is more than one Democratic contender. After debating procedural issues and who was eligible to vote, the party voted by a 2-1 margin to approve a primary as motioned by Hastings while all other races will be decided by caucus. Party members say a primary costs more money, but it gives the Democrats more visibility.

Wilms

After the vote, Hastings acknowledged a primary favors the candidate who is better known and has raised more money. His campaign has $8,600 now.

Wilms hasn't raised any money, selected a campaign manager or set up a Web site. He just declared his candidacy last month, saying, "I'm in the very early stages."

Last month, the Democrats approved a press release that criticized Republican State Senator Steve Martin (R-11th) for calling for a special election that might cost $100,000 to select a replacement for former Sheriff Clarence Williams, who retired on Feb. 1. Instead, voters will select a new sheriff during the general election this November.