The Albemarle County Republican Party has announced its list of candidates for local offices in this year’s November general election, including two challengers for the Board of Supervisors.
“We are very pleased to announce this slate of candidates and we look forward to the campaign,” said Cindi Burket, chairwoman of the Albemarle County Republicans. “It’s good to have a choice and we certainly provide that and hope that people will look to the issues and vote on their concerns and where their heart lies.”
Richard Lloyd will face Democrat Norman Dill and independent Lawrence Gaughan in the Rivanna Magisterial District.
Lloyd is expected to make a formal announcement Thursday.
Earl Smith will challenge Democrat Richard Randolph in the Scottsville Magisterial District.
Smith said he would be making a formal announcement in the next few weeks.
For the second straight election, Democrat Ann H. Mallek will not face a Republican challenger in the White Hall Magisterial District. Independents who are seeking to run against her have until June 9 to file paperwork and 125 petition signatures with Jake Washburne, the county registrar.
Republicans have also nominated Robert Neira Tracci to run against incumbent Democrat Denise Lunsford for commonwealth’s attorney. Lunsford is seeking her third term.
J.E. “Chip” Harding will seek his third term as county sheriff. He is currently unopposed.
Republican Franklin P. Micciche will challenge Democrat John Zug for clerk of court. Micciche in 2003 unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Albemarle School Board. He was defeated by Sue Friedman.
Debra M. Shipp, the incumbent clerk of court, is running as an independent after having been endorsed by the Democratic Party in her first election eight years ago. Washburne said Shipp has not yet turned in any paperwork.
The Republicans were scheduled to hold a mass meeting to nominate candidates on June 1, but canceled it because of the lack of contested races by party nominees.
School Board races
The picture also is becoming clearer for the county’s five School Board races. Those contests are non-partisan because Virginia law prohibits parties from nominating School Board candidates.
There are now two candidates for the White Hall seat being vacated by Barbara Massie Mouly.
Washburne said Jonathan “Jonno” Alcaro has filed paperwork to contest the seat. Alcaro is the treasurer and co-founder of Meritage Financial, Inc.
Attorney David Oberg announced his campaign for the White Hall seat last week.
Incumbent Steve Koleszar currently is the only candidate running for Scottsville’s School Board seat. Jason Buyaki, another incumbent, is the only announced candidate in the Rivanna District.
There are no declared candidates for the at-large district on the School Board. Ned Gallaway has declared his candidacy for Virginia’s 17th Senate District and is not seeking re-election.
Next month, the Albemarle School Board will fill the vacant Samuel Miller District seat with an interim appointment. Eric Strucko resigned from the board last month to accept a position with Pennsylvania State University.
Jennifer Johnston, the board’s clerk, said seven candidates applied by Tuesday’s deadline to be appointed to Strucko’s seat. The candidates are Dolly Joseph, Russell Madison Cummings Jr., Graham Paige, Patrick Barnett, Jon Stokes, Brian Vanyo and Robert McKnight. Cummings and Stokes are former School Board members.
The board has petitioned the county’s circuit court to hold a special election Nov. 3 so voters can elect a member to serve out the remainder of Strucko’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2017. The winner of the special election will take office immediately after the election results are certified.
There are no declared candidates for the special election. Washburne said candidates will have until Aug. 14 to file.
