By Brian Wheeler
Charlottesville Tomorrow
Friday, July 8, 2011
The
Albemarle County Republican Committee
has finalized its slate of candidates for local races in the November 8 general election. The party will field two candidates for Albemarle supervisor and one for county sheriff, but will pass on challenging two county Democrats who won hard fought races in 2007.
“I am not closing the door on that, but no one else has stepped forward thus far,” said
Rachel Schoenewald
, chair of the Albemarle County Republican Committee. “Local races are so import to the community,” she added. “We are really excited about the energy and enthusiasm of the community.”
County Republicans cancelled a mass meeting scheduled for Thursday when all of their nominations were uncontested. County Democrats said they will hold a mass meeting on Aug. 15. The deadline for both parties to nominate candidates is Aug. 23.
Supervisor
Kenneth C. Boyd
, a Republican, is seeking re-election for a third term on the board representing the Rivanna District. He is being challenged by Democrat
Cynthia Neff
.
Scottsville Republican
James C. Norwood
will be the party’s nominee to seek the seat of the retiring Lindsay G. Dorrier Jr. Norwood’s opponent in the race for the open Scottsville District seat is Democrat
Christopher J. Dumler
.
Albemarle County Sheriff, Republican J.E. “Chip” Harding, will get his party’s nomination to seek a second term. Democratic party leaders said Thursday they did not expect to field a candidate against Harding, who defeated Democrat Larry W. Claytor in the 2007 election.
Going uncontested by the Albemarle Republicans will be the election for the White Hall seat on the board of supervisors held by incumbent Democrat
Ann H. Mallek
and the commonwealth’s attorney position held by incumbent Democrat
Denise Lunsford
.
Mallek and Lunsford are both seeking reelection to second four-year terms and are currently unopposed for their party’s nomination. Lunsford was unavailable for comment on Thursday.
“I am surprised,” Mallek said. “It certainly is a different feeling than having a contested race, but I intend to continue to campaign, going door-to-door to listen to the people in White Hall.”
“I feel like I have worked very hard to listen to all points of view in the district I represent,” Mallek added.
