In Virginia, town councils are elected leaders charged with overseeing town governments. They have the power to set tax rates, make zoning decisions that determine how land can be used, oversee local emergency services, and much more.

The Town of Louisa has five council members and a mayor elected to staggered four-year terms. Graven Craig and David Purcell are running for two open seats on town council. Both were appointed earlier this year to fill town council vacancies. 

Craig is a founding partner at CraigWilliams, PLC. He ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017 and 2023, but lost both times in the Republican primary. 

Purcell runs J. S. Purcell Lumber Corporation, based in Louisa. He has not previously run for public office.

Charlottesville Tomorrow reached out to the candidates multiple times through email, phone and social media, but neither submitted responses to the voter guide questionnaire, which is based on responses from our voter guide survey.

Here are the questions we sent the candidates. If you would like to reach out to them yourself, you can find their contact information, as provided to the Virginia State Department of Elections, searchable by name.

• Town government stability: Louisa’s town government has been through a rough stretch. A mayor resigned in 2024. Several more resignations followed in 2025, including the interim mayor, which forced a special election last November. During that turnover, the town went months without anyone on staff to record and post public meeting minutes, as required by law. Then this summer, the town’s newest manager left after only 10 months. How would you work to build a town government that’s stable, fully staffed and able to keep residents informed?

• Local business: Some Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value the town’s small businesses and want to see Main Street thrive — one specifically pointed to the need for another grocery store in town. What role do you think the town should play in supporting local businesses, and what would you do to help Main Street thrive?

• Growth and development: Louisa County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Virginia, and the Town of Louisa is one of the county’s official growth areas, meaning new development is meant to land here. What’s your vision for growth in Louisa, and how would you work with the county and state leaders to ensure the town’s infrastructure is ready for it?

• Data centers: Data centers emerged as a key issue of concern for Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey. Do you see this as an issue in the Town of Louisa, and, if so, what kinds of actions do you support the town taking?

• Community spaces: Several Louisa residents who responded to our voter survey said they value having public spaces that bring the community together. As Louisa keeps growing, what role do you think the town should play in creating or supporting spaces like this?

More information on the candidates and issues: 

• The Town of Louisa has a new mural created in collaboration with public school students, community members and volunteers, from NBC 29, Oct. 23, 2026

• Louisa Town Council candidates (including Graven Craig and David Purcell) discuss priorities at a voter education event, from Engage Louisa, Oct. 19, 2026

• A look at the candidates running for Louisa Town Council, from Engage Louisa, Aug. 24, 2026

• Stuart Turille resigned after 10 months as town manager, from The Central Virginian, July 30, 2026

• Louisa Town Council fills vacant spot, loses another, from The Central Virginian, May 7, 2026

• Louisa County is one of the fastest growing counties in the state, NBC 29, Feb. 25, 2026

• The Town of Louisa’s historic train depot reopens to run passenger railway rides, from NBC 29, Dec. 7, 2025

• The Town of Louisa faced five resignations in less than a year. Now it’s trying to rebuild, Charlottesville Tomorrow, Nov. 17, 2025