Eighth independent candidate enters race
With only a few days remaining before the Democratic primary for Charlottesville City Council, challengers Heather Hill and Amy Laufer continue to have a financial advantage over incumbent Bob Fenwick.
Additionally, Fry’s Spring resident John Edward Hall has become the eighth independent candidate seeking to qualify for the November 7 general election ballot.
Hall, 65, said he is running to become more “public-spirited” and wants better transit and sidewalks.
“I would like to look at other side streets that are close to the University of Virginia that don’t have sidewalks so that people can walk along the road and not be a hit by a car,” Hall said.
Ten of the eleven current candidates filed campaign finance reports with the Virginia State Board of Elections on Monday for activity between April 1 and June 1. Hall submitted his candidacy the following day and thus was not required to provide a finance report.
Laufer raised $8,390 in cash over the period and reported an in-kind donation of $250. Sixteen people made contributions over $100 including $2,500 from developer Barbara J. Fried. Fried, a Crozet resident, is also a member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors.
Notable gifts to Laufer include $1,000 from former city Council Candidate Brevy Cannon, $250 from Joan Fenton of the Downtown Business Association of Charlottesville and $500 from Phil d’Oronzio, the chair of the city’s Housing Advisory Committee.
Laufer spent $8,471 during the period with more than half of that going to T&N Printing. She has a balance of $8,897 of available cash as of June 1.
Hill raised $8,220 in cash during the two months and reported $1,983 in in-kind donations including $1,150 from Robert Radifera Photography. She reported $6,706 in total expenses during the period with the $1,376 going to T&N Printing and another $980 going to Two Brothers Southwestern Grill.
Hill had an ending balance of $9,396 on June 1.
Fenwick raised a total of $1,990 during the period including a $100 loan. His top donation of $500 came from contractor Randy Salzman. He spent $1,514 during April and May and had an ending balance of $2,238.
Of the eight independent candidates, Nikuyah Walker reported receiving $2,765 during the two months including a $500 contribution from former City Councilor Dede Smith. Walker spent $1,662 in that time with most going to campaign signs, postcards and buttons. This is her first campaign for office.
Kenneth Jackson raised $225 including one donation of $150. Records indicate he spent $17.09 on a Go Fund Me campaign. He had an ending balance of $207.91. Jackson ran as a Republican in 2004.
Paul Long raised $149 during the period and spent $123.89 leaving a balance of $77.75. Long ran in 2009 and 2011.
Independent Cassie Clawson reported a single $100 contribution. Nancy Carpenter raised $50 and reported no expenditures. Dale Woodson reported no activity and a balance of $37.27. Clifford Hall reported no donations and has requested an exemption from campaign finance reporting requirements. None of the above have run for office before.
There appears to be only three candidates for three seats on the Charlottesville School Board. Incumbents Leah Puryear and Juandiego Wade are running again as is newcomer Lisa Larson-Torres. Ned Michie opted to not seek an additional term.
There has not been a contested school board race in Charlottesville since 2011.
In Albemarle County, there is currently only one contested race for the Board of Supervisors in the Samuel Miller District. Republican challenger John Lowry is facing Democratic incumbent Liz Palmer in the general election.
Palmer began the reporting period with $8,979 and raised $5,650. She spent $469 and had an ending balance of $14,160.
Lowry, who ran as an independent in 2009, is running as a Republican this time. He had a balance of $5,402 on April 1 and had raised an additional $1,900 by June 1. He spent $633 during the period and has $6,669 on hand.
Jack Jouett Supervisor Diantha McKeel is running unopposed for her second term but is running as a Democrat this year rather than an independent. She had $18,276 on hand at the beginning of April and raised an additional $6,960 over the period. McKeel’s campaign spent $1,105 during the period and has $24,131 on hand.
Democrat Ned Gallaway is the lone candidate seeking to replace Brad Sheffield as the supervisor for the Rio District. He has raised $12,192 since the beginning of the year and has spent $1,737. His campaign had an ending balance of $10,454 on June 1.
In the Rio District, two candidates are seeking to replace the retiring Pam Moynihan on the school board. They are Katrina Callsen and Mary McIntyre.
In the Samuel Miller District, incumbent school board member Graham Paige is facing a challenge from recent Western Albemarle High School graduate Julian Waters.
Campaign finance data is compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.
