Woodson, Stafford’s 1st Elected Black Leader, Featured at Clinton – McAuliffe Rally

On the stage behind President Bill Clinton and Virginia Gubernatorial hopeful Terry McAuliffe on Sunday sat Stafford County’s first black elected member of its Board of Supervisors.

Bob Woodson represented Stafford’s Griffis-Widewater Magisterial District until he stepped down from the board in 2012.

While he’s been seen at public functions, he’s remained largely out of the public spotlight. At the rally, Woodson said he’s not looking to make a return to public life but does want get more people involved in the electoral process at the local level.

“This is where the action is. The action is in the local level, not necessarily the presidential level. It’s the local level where you elect your legislator, where you elect your House of Delegates, or you elect your state senators. That’s what’s important,” said Woodson.

In his home county of Stafford, where Republican Mitt Romney in 2012 won the vote by 10 points, Woodson expects McAuliffe to have a good showing.

“I think he should carry the county, but whether he will or not remains to be seen,” said Woodson.

He added the northern portion of the Stafford County is made up of an electorate of more issue-oriented voters, and has fewer conservatives than neighborhoods located further south near Fredericksburg..

“They’re looking at the issues and what can you do help improve our community? What can you do help improve our transportation system? What can you do to help improve our parks and rec.?” said Woodson.

Woodson was elected in 2008 to serve Griffis-Widewater and chose not to seek reelection. His term ended on a sour note when two Republicans on the board refused to sign a proclamation honoring him.

Woodson was succeeded by Republican Jack Cavalier who ran as an independent candidate.