Exclusive: Mike May to Run for Prince William Commonwealth Attorney

Sharing a lunch with his family, Mike May orders the Chochintia Pibi, a marinated pork dish. It’s a specialty at Los Toltecos, a restaurant in Lake Ridge where the Occoquan District Supervisor holds an annual fundraiser and the employees know him by name.

When his dish arrives, May says something that’s been on his mind for two months – he’s going to run for Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney.

“I’ve really enjoyed serving on the Board of Supervisors for the past eight years. It’s been a rewarding experience representing our community, and I feel like there’s a new opportunity in a different way,” said May.

If elected in 2015, overseeing the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office at the Prince William County Judicial Center would allow him to merge his passion for public service with his love for the law. May works for the Virginia law firm of Albo and Oblon, LLP during the day, and then represents residents of Prince William County’s Occoquan District on the Board of Supervisors.

Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert has held the job for nearly 50 years. Ebert did not return Potomac Local’s request for comment on this story.

May has not filed his paperwork to seek the office. He plans make an official campaign announcement sometime after New Years Day.

The Republican also refused to say anything negative about Ebert, a Democrat. His comments about Ebert’s policy and positions will come later during the campaign, he said.

While the job of the Commonwealth Attorney is to prosecute crimes and to protect victims and witnesses to crimes, May says the public should know more about what the county’s top prosecutor does.

“This is an elected position, and there are things we can do to make it more accessible and more transparent, so people have a better understanding of what the commonwealth attorney is doing,” said May.

May says he would use his background and experience as a Supervisor, a job he’s held since 2007, coupled with the multiple town hall meetings he’s held for constituents, in the top prosecutor role.

When May files his paperwork to run for the office, he plans finish his current term as Occoquan Supervisor but will not be able to run for reelection for the Board of Supervisors as he’ll for the Commonwealth Attorney seat. That would create an opening for former Town of Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta who has expressed interest in a county-level position.

“…as for the Occoquan seat, I have always had an interest in it. Mike May and I are friends and I respect him. Obviously, if he decides to pursue something else and the Occoquan seat becomes open as a result, then I am definitely interested in seeking it,” said Porta.

May and his wife Amelia share three children; Leo, 7, Natalia, 5, and Marina who is two and a half-years-old. Amelia supports his run for the office.

“I think its’ time. He’s been challenged throughout his time as a Supervisor, and challenged to become a better lawyer, and this will be a great opportunity to merge his two interests,” said Amelia May.

The two married 13 years ago. They met at the College of William and Mary. He was studying government and Spanish and she history and French. They met during a theatre class they shared.

May later went to George Mason University Law School, worked nights, and graduated with his law degree in 2004. The Albo and Oblonlawfirm has been his professional home ever since.

May is from Springfield, Virginia and has family throughout the region. His mother still lives in Springfield, while his father and brothers have taken up residence in Prince William County.

Voters will go to the polls one year from now to decide who will be the next Commonwealth Attorney for Prince William County.