Principi Wins

This story has been corrected.

Woodbridge, Va. – Frank Principi will return to the Prince William County Board of Supervisors for another four-year term.

The Democrat beat his opponent, Chris Royse, with nearly 61 percent of the vote. Principi said his proven record on the Board and his actions in the community aided in his win.

“It was clear choose today between two candidates, one with proven leadership skills and results in Woodbridge like tearing down 32 blighted buildings, having funding in place for two major Route 1 projects, helping to preserve and promote home values in neighborhoods by aggressive aggressive enforcement of zoning laws, and the weather. The weather was great today and we’ve seen record turnout for an off year election,” said Principi.

Principi won each of the 10 precincts in his district, and he said he’ll continue to beat the drum for an extension of Metro to Woodbirdge, a commuter ferry, and will push for continued mixed-use development.

Royse’s campaign became controversial after he told reporters this summer he was in talks to bring would make bringing the U.S. Military’s Africa Command from Germany to Woodbridge a campaign issue. A Freedom of Information Act request from AFRICOM released by the Principi campaigned revealed Royse was not in talks with the agency.

Royse went on the defensive and said he had not spoken with anyone at AFRICOM, and said that is the job of someone in public office. He later claimed Principi’s campaign turned negative and was not focused on issues like job creation. In the end, voters stuck with Principi’s trademark-like vision of a “new Woodbridge.”

“At the local government level its not about politics… its a bout focusing, applying energy, having a vision and getting the job done. And that’s what the constituents of Woodbridge want. They don’t want politics. They don’t want their candidate to talk about national issues. Lets just figure out what we need to do here and get it done, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last four years,” said Principi.

Principi lives in Woodbirdge with his family and is the Director of the Greater Prince William Community Health Center.