Brentsville Supervisor Candidates to Debate at Linton Hall School

Candidates seek to replace former Brenstville District Supervisor Wally Covington

Candidates seeking to replace Wally Covington the Prince William County Board of Supervisors have agreed to debate the issues.

Jeanie Lawson, a Republican, Eric Young, a Democrat, and Scott Jacobs, an Independent, will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Linton Hall School in Bristow for the first and only scheduled debate of the special election set for Dec. 23.

The election comes after former Brentsville Supervisor Wally Covington accepted a newly created position as a judge at the Prince William County Courthouse. Virginia law requires Prince William County to hold a special election to select a new Supervisor in the event of a vacancy on the Board of Supervisors rather than appointing an interim chair, as other Virginia counties have done in similar situations.

Lawson has lived in the Brentsville District for 19 years, has been active in her childrens’ schools, in her church, and is a longtime member of Republican organizations in the county. She touts balanced growth and improved schools as top campaign priorities. Lawson said she will listen and be a voice for the people.

Born and raised in Prince William, Eric Young attended Brenstville District High School. He is the Vice Chairman of the Prince William County Service Authority Board and is active in the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. Young says housing developers need to contribute more cash to government proffers to improve area roads, and to extend Virginia Railway Express commuter service to Gainesville. Young also says Prince William’s tax rate is too high, and its schools are too crowded, and has classrooms with too many students assigned to them.

Scott Jacobs is running as an Independent. Born and raised in Nokesville, he is now raising his two sons there. Jacobs has advocated for small businesses, bringing a walkable main street to Nokesville and repurposing the Nokesville Elementary School. He also wants to bring new businesses to the county.

Bristow Beat and Potomac Local, two independent news organizations covering neighborhoods in Prince William County and Greater Manassas, will sponsor the debate.

“We hope this can be an open and fair debate. Our goal is to allow the candidates to speak directly to the community members. For that reason, we want to hear from our readers to learn what are the questions they most want to be answered,” said Bristow Beat Executive Editor Stacy Shaw.

Questions about the most pressing community issues facing the Brentsville District will be posed to all three candidates by both media organizations. Readers of Bristow Beat and Potomac Local will also be able to submit their questions for the candidates for possible inclusion as a debate question. Residents can submit questions here.

The event will begin with each candidate having two minutes for an opening statement. Once a question is asked of a candidate, they will have three minutes to respond to the question, and then the remaining two candidates will each have one minute to rebut their answers.

The gymnasium inside Linton Hall School will be the site of the debate. Attendees will be directed to park in the parking lot in the rear of the school closest to the gym door.

Statements from the candidates regarding the debate:

“I want to thank Bristow Beat and Potomac Local for working with the candidates to provide an opportunity for us to speak directly to the Brentsville residents. Throughout the years I have truly enjoyed listening to and speaking with my neighbors while knocking on doors and participating in community events, so I am really looking forward to discussing the issues and my plans for our district in this format.”

— Jeanine Lawson

“Providing access to information is at the root of the democratic system and allows for the public to make a more informed decision. I’m a big believer in creating more avenues for the public to influence policy decisions and outcomes, because in the end, I serve at their pleasure.”

— Eric Young

I’m very glad that the residents within the Brentsville District will finally have an opportunity to see where all three candidates truly stand on the issues with unfiltered responses. I think that this debate has been long overdue and am personally very appreciative of Potomac Local & Bristow Beat for making this event become a reality.

— Scott Jacobs