Heather Mitchell, currently a senior aide to Prince William County Board of Supervisors is running for the Virginia House of Delegates and is focused on transportation, education, and veterans.
Known in Republican circles for her support for gubernatorial and U.S. Senate candidate Corey Stewart, this is Mitchell’s first time seeking statewide office.
Name: Heather Mitchell
Party:Â Republican
Town: Stafford
Running for: House of Delegates, House District 2 (North Stafford, Woodbridge)
Website: mitchellfordelegate.com, Twitter, Facebook
Work:Â Senior Aide for the Prince William County Board of Supervisors
Education: Orange Park High School, Midlands Technical College
Community Involvement: After moving to Virginia, Heather Mitchell has been extremely active in local and state politics. For the past several years she has worked on the grassroots level speaking with voters and residents about concerns in the communities and working with local officials to help address their concerns.
In addition to several State Delegates, State Senators, and Congressmen, she has developed a strong working relationship with the Board of County Supervisors in both Stafford and Prince William counties. Mitchell has taken the lead on voter registration drives in conjunction with Team Virginia. She served two terms as a Magisterial District Chair for the Rock Hill District in Stafford County in addition to working on several local and statewide elections.
Currently, Mitchell works for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors as the Senior Aide to the Chairman At-large Corey Stewart. As the Senior Aide, she is the Chairman’s liaison for the county’s legislative priorities, annual budget, Board Audit Committee and the Prince William School Board.
Questions and Answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Mitchell: Transportation, education, veterans
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Mitchell: Unfortunately there are no concrete solutions. I feel that by listening to the residents and exploring all options we, as a community, can come up with a solution together.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Mitchell: First and foremost, a state delegate is a voice for their community, not just the ones who voted for them, but the entire community. A state delegate speaks on behalf of their constituents by creating new laws, modifying or updating existing laws and helping with any other items that are a concern to their constituents. Regardless of political affiliation, a state delegate should always put the needs of their constituents first and serve with dedication, passion and a commitment to the community.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Mitchell: The expertise I bring to the office is in the form of life experience. Prior to my marriage, I was a single mother who worked three jobs in order to provide a quality life for my daughter. I personally experienced government subsidized housing, Medicaid and WIC. I learned the value of a helping hand, and most importantly, I learned that it was my responsibility to better my life and I used those resources as a hand-up.
My determination to better my life led me to a job offer where I met my husband and, subsequently, I began my life as a Marine Corps spouse. Over the last 20 years, I have been extremely fortunate to have lived all over the United States, and throughout these many moves, I have been blessed to have met some of the most incredible people from all walks of life. These amazing people instilled in me a very important life lesson: to listen to those around me, ask questions, research, ask more questions and then decide on a course of action that makes the most sense.
I feel that through experiencing life, listening to others, and surrounding yourself with people from all walks of life helps a delegate represent their entire community.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Mitchell: Overall, I feel that the average citizen is not as well-informed as they should be and, because of this, they do not fully understand the workings of local government. To rectify this, I would improve communication with my community by holding monthly town halls, sending out emails, mailing letters, and being accessible to all of my constituents. Regardless of if they voted for you or not, you cannot represent your constituents unless you speak with the entire community.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Mitchell: Everyone makes mistakes in life, but I feel that if you put your faith in God and surround yourself with good people, you will do good things. I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing friends, but most importantly, an amazing family.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Mitchell: One of the first “mottos” I learned as a Marine Corps spouse, besides “Semper Fi”, was to always leave a place better than you found it. Regardless of where I’ve lived, or for how long, I have always strived to live by that motto. As I stated before, one of the life lessons instilled upon me is to listen to those around me, ask questions, research, ask more questions and then decide a course of action that makes the most sense. I will look at an issue and look for the second, third and even fourth order of effect. I will always take the initiative on any task thrown my way and I will always step up to the plate when duty calls. I know when to be the team leader or one of the supporting actors. Regardless of the role, I will always act in what I believe is in the best interest of the community as a whole.
Joseph George is running to represent the Neabsco District (Dale City) on the Prince William County School Board. He works for the Department of Defense and has been heavily involved with Prince William County Schools over the years in leadership positions for PTO/PTA and the Principal Advisory Council.
George last ran for the seat in 2015 and lost to current Neabsco District School Board representative Diane Raulston.
Name: Joseph Heston George
Party:Â Democrat
Town: Dale City
Running for: Prince William County School Board, Neabsco District
Website: josephgeorge4neabsco.com, Facebook
Work:Â Senior Criminal Investigative Analyst for the Department of Defense
Education: Rutgers University – Business Management; Central Texas College – Criminal/Homicide Investigations; University of Phoenix – Business Management
Community Involvement: Joseph George has been a PTO/PTA President or Vice President at Woodbridge Middle School or Minnieville Elementary, as well as either the Chairman or Vice Chairman for Minnieville Elementary’s Principal Advisory Council and a member of Woodbridge Middle School’s Principal Advisory Council.
In the 2010-2011 school year, he was on all three boards: as the PTA Vice President at Woodbridge Middle School, PTA President at Minnieville Elementary, and Chairman for Minnieville’s Advisory Council.
George is active as a coach for the local softball leagues that his daughters have played in (Prince William Lassie League from 2008-2012 and Prince William Girls Fastpitch Softball [PWGFS] from 2013 to this Spring Season), and is currently a PWGFS Board Member since 2016. All the while, he has worked within the Intelligence Community for the Department of Defense (25 years of experience), currently holding the position of Senior Criminal Investigative Analyst for DoD.
Questions and Answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
George:Â Everything I do is to the benefit of the students. 1. Ensuring that we are providing the best education for all of our students to ensure they are ready for life after PWCS. 2. Ensuring that we recruit, keep, and retain the most capable teachers within our School District. 3. Ensuring that our District members, both parents and taxpayers without children in the School District, have a voice on decisions made that impact spending.
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
George: Engage with all stakeholders within the community, to include parents, educators, administrators, community leaders, and other experts in education.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
George: Representing the Neabsco District on the PWC School Board means to ensure that my District student’s needs are voiced to the rest of the Board Members, in order to make the best determination of how our dollars are spent, and what programs to promote. I will ensure that I work closely with my Board of County Supervisor Representative, to ensure that the funds needed are allocated properly. The students are my number one priority and as a watchdog of their needs, I must ensure that funds are spent properly. I must seek the advice from the community, because first and foremost, the schools belong to them, so their voices must be heard, and acted upon.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
George: My expertise is one of a passionate parent, one that will seek out the hard answers and make difficult decisions, based on community input. Additionally, I will take my experience as an Intelligence Analyst, taking facts and assumptions, in order to make acceptable decisions, as well as my exposure as a Principal Advisory Council Chairman to understand the significance of expenditures. As the Corresponding Secretary of the local party, I pride myself on my communication with others, keeping them informed as to what is going on, encouraging engagement, and expanding the knowledge of our organization.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
George: The average citizen is well-informed with national-level, and to a lesser extent, state-level politics, but many are unaware of local-level politics unless they have a relationship or a need with someone in local politics. Many people I have met have told me that they feel like they have no say in what the School District does or does not do if they do not have a child in the system. Many do not understand that they still fund the School District with their tax-dollars (about 57 percent), which makes the need for their voice to be heard, as much as parents with students in our schools. A person’s sphere of influence is much larger than they know and I feel that it would be my responsibility to inform them of that.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
George: Working for the Department of Defense, I have made mistakes in my public life, but all of which I have learned from, improved through, and assisted others in not making those same mistakes. My 2015 campaign resulted in many mistakes, which I have learned from and have corrected. In my professional life, I engage in mentoring and coaching individuals to become the best that they can be, which I try to do on a daily basis.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
George: I have been an effective leader within the Department of Defense for over two decades and a motivated local leader for about a half a dozen years. A vote for Joseph George means that the public’s voice will be heard (even those that do not vote for me will be heard as well) and I want them to have faith that I will make the tough choices, based on their input, as well as the input of my fellow Board Members.
When decisions are to be made that may be unpopular, I will be the one to explain why the choice was made and allow those that are disappointed in the decision to speak with me one-on-one or in a public forum. I want to ensure that I interact closely with my counterpart on the County Board of Supervisors so that our District is in lock-step on what we are trying to accomplish.
Hassan Ahmad, a long-time Sterling resident in Loudoun County with 15 years of legal experience, is running for the Virginia House of Delegates District 87. His focuses are transportation, criminal justice reform, and education. A portion of the 87th District is in Prince William County.
Name: Hassan Minhaj Ahmad
Party:Â Democrat
Town: Sterling
Running for: House of Delegates, District 87
Website: hassan4va.com, Facebook, Twitter
Work:Â Lawyer
Education: Tulane Law School (JD, 2000) University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA, 1996)
Community Involvement: Hassan Ahmad is an immigration advocate in speaking and writing. He is a member of the Virginia Asian Advisory Board; Commonwealth Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board; and Dulles Justice Coalition. He serves as a volunteer lawyer for Muslim Ban South Texas Family Residential Center, advising asylum seekers in Dilley, TX. He also advises asylum seekers at Al Otro Lado, in Tijuana, BC, Mexico. He is a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) aficionado.
Questions and Answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Ahmad: Transportation (Smart Growth), Criminal Justice Reform, Education
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Ahmad:Â Transportation requires holistic solutions. Invest in affordable housing by incentivizing developers to build them. Encourage telecommuting, staggered work hours, and smart traffic light control. Develop “high traffic driver’s ed” curricula, increasing the burden on developers to not leave infrastructure half-built.
Criminal justice reform will require ending debtor’s prisons; decriminalizing and/or legalization (marijuana); mass restoration of voting rights; allowance of certain incarcerated individuals to vote; creating post-conviction relief remedies besides habeus; expanding drug courts; ending ICE cooperation; destroying the 287(g) programs; reducing max misdemeanor sentence to 364 days; and U visa registry to enhance community policing.
For education, diverting resources away from prisons to pay teachers; equalizing funds to disadvantaged areas of the district (Sterling Park, eg.); creation of early childhood development initiatives; creation of immersion education (foreign language, tech – partner with giant corporations to help defray cost); mass awareness campaign of depression/PTSD/mental illness in our schools; incentives to reduce screen time for students, including continued dialogue with social media platforms. (Instagram and Snapchat in particular.)
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Ahmad: The successful candidate will be driven by a moral imperative to enhance happiness, contentment, and prosperity, and will have an unbroken track record of doing the same. The successful candidate will be invested in the district in which office is sought, evinced by long-standing family, residential, and/or business ties to said district. The successful candidate shall bring their own expertise, but have a demonstrated track record of seeking out expertise in other fields.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Ahmad: 15 years of legal experience in immigration, criminal defense, and civil rights. Fluency and/or proficiency in 8 languages, enabling contact with a wider swath of people, natively. Business experience from having built a law firm from the ground up.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Ahmad: No. I use my time on the doors with voters to explain local government and how it affects their lives more directly and more forcefully than federal laws. As an elected official, holding town halls and leveraging social media. Employing a comms team. Continued door-knocking.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Ahmad: I have only been a candidate since last October and thus far have been gaffe-free. However, I have certainly made mistakes as a lawyer. I find that is an opportune time to create moral fiber, as these experiences are at once humbling, instructive, and empowering. Like anyone, I go though a brief period of wanting to curl up in a ball, but afterward I realize I can make myself a better and more effective lawyer or advocate. Thus far, however, I have not been tested with anything very serious.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Ahmad: I’m from this community, having lived here for 12 years with my wife and (now) 3 children. I bring 15 years of legal experience representing the voteless and voiceless of this district, listening to their stories and fighting to free them from a system designed as a vortex. I am a political outsider, beholden to no one, and haven’t become jaded despite practicing in a very depressing field. I’ve fought for 15 years right here. Now I’m taking that fight to Richmond.
*Submitted photo
John Gray is once again running for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
Gray has previously run as a candidate for positions on the Board of Supervisors on two separate occasions. In his last bid for Chairman, At-large in 2011, Gray ran against Prince Corey Stewart. Gray ran as an Independent and lost that race.
Gray also ran for the Occoquan District seat on the Prince William County School Board in 2015, he was defeated by the incumbent Lillie Jessie.
Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General ElectionÂ
Name: John Gray
Party: Republican
Town: Prince William County
Running for: Chairman, At-large, Prince William Board of County Supervisors
Website:Â votejohngrayforchairman.com
Work: Self-employed CPA
Education: Hofstra University – BBA
Community Involvement: 30+ years Community & County activities; multiple Board of County Supervisors Boards & Commissions, multiple Supervisory Budget Commissions; Lake Ridge Parks and Recreation Association 12 years – six years as President; currently Sole Citizen Representative to the Joint Board of County Supervisors/School Board Audit Committee.
Questions and answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Gray: Maintain removal of criminal illegal aliens and stop Prince William County from becoming a sanctuary county; Preserve and protect the Rural Crescent in its present form & focusing development in the development area with the fiscal rationale for maintaining the Rural Crescent.
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Gray: Support the 287g Program (a program that identifies illegal aliens after they are suspected of committing a crime and are arrested); Follow the 2019 Comprehensive Plan (land development) Require new residential development to include plans at the very least plans for infrastructure – roads, schools, first responders, libraries and parks and recreation.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Gray: As Chairman, lead the Board in developing priorities the citizens want and need, not what benefits best special interests and large donors to a political campaign.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Gray: Common sense best business practices of 42+ years as a CPA, 38 years of these self-employed; three years of voluntary services to Prince William County and deep institutional knowledge of Prince William County.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Gray: They are as well-informed as they choose to be. I would like to have regularly scheduled town hall meetings in each Magisterial District (along with the Magisterial district Supervisor and School Board representative).
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Gray: Anyone who says they haven’t are lying to themselves. Learn from the mistake and move on.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Gray: Because I want this job. I believe my careers’ 42+ years experience as a CPA along with my 30+ years of local volunteerism makes me uniquely qualified for this position.
This isn’t a stepping stone to higher office. I have no desire, whatsoever, to serve at any level of government other than here at the local level. I’m not going anywhere and I’m not beholden to any special interest to build my campaign coffers.
Yesli Vega is former Prince William County Sheriff’s Deputy, and a police officer.
She now wants the job of Coles District Supervisor on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. It’s a seat being vacated by Martin Nohe, who is running for Board Chairman At-large.
The political newcomer faces another political fresh face, Patrick Sowers, in “Firehouse Primary” Election on Saturday, May 4.
The winner will become the Republican nominee for the seat, and go on to run in the General Election on Nov. 5.
Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary
Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General ElectionÂ
Name: Yesli Vega
Party: Republican
Town: Prince William County
Running for: Coles District Supervisor, Prince William Board of County Supervisors
Website:Â yestoyesli.com
Work: Homemaker
Education: I graduated from Annandale High School. While being stationed overseas (South Korea) I obtained a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from American Military University.
Community Involvement: I have dedicated my life to public service. I recall that at a very early age, I had the desire to serve. I began working in the children’s ministry at church, later dove into missions. All those experiences taught me many valuable lessons. I knew I could do more to serve my community and be a difference maker.
I graduated from police academy in 2011 and was sworn as a police officer. While working for Prince William County Sheriff’s Office, I was a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club through the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation: Badges for Baseball program. The program helps to build character and teach critical life lessons to at-risk young people living in America’s most distressed communities. Community is where my heart is fully invested.
Questions and answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Vega: When I announced my campaign, the three main areas I wanted to address were property and business taxes, public safety, and a more responsible approach to development. And overwhelmingly that is what voters of the Coles District have shared with me are their top areas of concern as well.
They don’t want to pay the highest real estate tax rate of any county in Northern Virginia; they’re fearful that if the wrong people are elected this November that Prince William will be turned into a sanctuary county; and they’re tired of the board approving one new massive housing development after another that clogs up our roads and overcrowds our schools.
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Vega: Lower Property Taxes – eliminate wasteful spending and diversify our tax base through business-friendly policies (gradually phasing out the BPOL Tax and streamlining the permit process) that will alleviate the tax burden we place on our property owners.
Sanctuary Policies – I will work arm in arm with my former boss, Sheriff Glen Hill, and my fellow Supervisors to ensure dangerous sanctuary policies are never adopted in Prince William County. It’s a reckless idea and would make both our native born and immigrant communities alike, less safe.
Development – I will prioritize commercial development and jobs over voting for massive new housing projects that have proven to increase our traffic and have strained our infrastructure and public safety services. I will also fight to preserve and protect the Rural Crescent.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Vega: I am a servant. The citizens and taxpayers of Prince William County and the Coles District are my prospective bosses. My job is to listen to them and their needs and act accordingly. The position also means being entrusted to be a good steward of their hard earned tax dollars. That’s an enormous responsibility and one that should never be taken lightly.Â
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Vega: 1.)Public Safety: As a former police officer and Prince William County Sheriff’s Deputy I plan on using my background to be an advocate for our first responders (Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMT’s) and to make sure we keep our county safe to maintain the quality of life we all enjoy in the county.
2.) Small Business Owner: We know the hoops and burdens that the government places on our small businesses and job creators. I will work to alleviate those burdens so we can bring good paying jobs to Prince William County.
3.) Military Spouse: Prince William County has one of the largest veteran populations in the whole country. As a military spouse while my husband was in the Army I know the needs of these families and their transient lifestyle. This can be especially hard when raising small children. I’ll use my firsthand experience in this area to better serve those who have served us.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Vega: I do. I won’t name names, but there are some members of the board that like to brag that they can do whatever they want to in non-election years because “nobody is paying attention to them.” Not only is this shameful, but it’s also wrong. In my conversations with the citizens of the Coles District, they know what’s going on.
They know their real estate tax rate is the highest of any county in the region. They know that some of our Supervisors have put the needs and desires of a handful of developers over their own.
One of the ways I want to improve transparency between our elected officials and the citizenry is to bring them more into the decision making process. To collaborate with and listen more to our citizens so we can come up with the best solutions and hear about how our decisions are impacting their everyday lives.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Vega: No one is perfect! I’ve made mistakes in my life, but nothing that I’m embarrassed about. As a rookie officer, I learned quickly that it’s best to listen and not be so quick to judge.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Vega: I have a heart to serve. As a police officer and county sheriff’s deputy, I willingly put my life on the line to serve and protect the citizens of this county. I hope they’ll entrust me to continue that service.
I also try to hold myself to a high degree of integrity and they can be assured that my vote will never be for sale no matter how much special interests may try to influence me or the amount of political pressure I face.
My first priority will always be to the citizens of the Coles District and I will have no conflicts of interest when it comes to voting on matters of importance to Prince William County families.
Michael C. “Mike” May is making his second run for Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney.
In 2015, he was the Republican nominee for the seat but lost to Paul Ebert, who held the job since 1968. May stepped down from his elected position on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors to run for the office.
Ebert will retire at the end of the year. May now faces Republican “Firehouse Primary” opponent Timothy Olmstead for the elected seat.
Voters will head to special precincts on Saturday, May 4, 2019, to vote in the special Primary Election. The winner will become the Republican nominee for the seat, and go on to run in the General Election on Nov. 5.
Democrats Tracey Lennox and Amy Ashworth are also seeking the job. They will face off in a statewide Primary Election on June 11.
Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary
Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General ElectionÂ
Name: Michael C. May
Party: Republican
Town: Prince William County
Running for: Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Website: votemikemay.com
Work: Attorney
Education: BA, College of William and Mary (Government/Spanish double major) JD, George Mason University School of Law
Community Involvement:
• Occoquan District Supervisor, Prince William Board of County Supervisors (2007-2016)
• Appointee to the Prince William County Board of Zoning Appeals
• Treasurer, Prince William County Area Free Clinic • Community Legal Liaison, NOVA Vets
• Vice-Chairman, Prince William Board of County Supervisors (2010 and 2014)
• Youth soccer and flag football coach • Planning Commissioner, At-Large (2004-2006)
• Prince William County Social Services Board (2003-2004)
• Former Board Member, Prince William Conservation Alliance
• Former Board Member, Prince William Boys and Girls Club
• Member, Lake Ridge Lions Club
• Member, Knights of Columbus
• Former Member, Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Former Member, Boards of PRTC and VRE (past Chairman of PRTC)
Questions and answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
May: We must address the challenges of our growing and dynamic community. As the next Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will: keep our neighborhoods safe, modernize the office, and actively engage our diverse population to enhance public safety and crime prevention.
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
May: As your next Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will ensure we have the best and brightest lawyers serving as our prosecutors, and I will work with them to bring those who commit crimes in our community to justice.
We will modernize the office. We will employ new technologies to keep citizens informed, and we will modernize the hiring and compensation systems so that the office budget does not grow out of control. We will also ensure appropriate transparency during criminal prosecutions so that cases are not overturned for violations of Due Process.
Finally, we will implement a proactive community outreach plan to engage with our dynamic and diverse population. We need to enhance crime prevention, rather than passively waiting for crimes to occur and addressing them after the fact.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
May: The position of Commonwealth’s Attorney (prosecutor) is one of the most important positions in the government because the power to take one’s life or liberty is the most awesome power that government can wield.
The ultimate check on that power thus appropriately rests with the citizens through the popular vote. Accordingly, the elected Commonwealth’s Attorney establishes the policies that reflect our community’s values and ensures that his or her staff and assistant Commonwealth’s Attorneys serve the citizens in a manner consistent with those values.
The job necessarily requires oversight, management, and legal skills. The elected Commonwealth’s Attorney must ultimately ensure justice for our community.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
May: I am currently the managing partner of May Law, LLP, a northern Virginia law firm focused on criminal, civil and family law matters. I have been a successful Virginia trial lawyer for the past 15 years. I have handled jury and bench trials, been involved in complex litigation (both criminal and civil), and have been recognized as “legal elite” by Virginia Business five times.
In addition to my experience as an attorney, I also had the honor of serving our community as a Member of the Board of County Supervisors for nine years. During that time, I was intimately involved in management, oversight, and setting policy direction for the Prince William community; particularly in the area of public safety.
This combination of policy, management, and legal experience is the ideal background for this important office.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
May:Â Unfortunately, the average citizen is not always well-informed on local government issues. It is the responsibility of elected leaders in all areas of government to proactively reach out to the community to keep it informed of important issues.
If I am elected, we will have frequent public safety-related town hall meetings; we will partner with our schools, civic groups, and faith organizations to develop a more well-informed public; and, we will implement a proactive outreach plan targeted particularly to those communities who may not understand and even fear our criminal justice system.
If people do not trust or have confidence in the system, it will not function and it is the responsibility of elected leaders to build that trust. This will take hard work and dedication beyond just a 9-5 workday, but I am up for the challenge and ready to tackle it on day one.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
May:Â I am sure that I have made mistakes, in both my private life and public life. Mistakes are a part of being a human being. All you can do is own up to them and try to learn from them. This makes you a better person and a better-elected official. I cannot point to one defining mistake that has changed the very manner in which I would comport myself as a public official. However, you can be sure that every experience, whether a success or failure, has helped to shape who I am as a person and my service to our community.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
May: I was honored to serve our community from 2007 to 2016 on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. During that time, I sought to build upon the trust and confidence that our community placed in me. When I decided to run for Commonwealth’s Attorney in 2015 rather than run for re-election, some questioned that decision.
Some said, “but if you lose, you will not have a position in elected office.”
For me, it was never about politics; rather, it was a calling to try to serve the community in a new way. Unfortunately, that election did not turn out the way that I had hoped. But I have not given up on service to our community and I have not given up on leadership.
The issues that motivated me to run four years ago are the same issues that motivate me to run today. Leadership is about putting our community first.
If given the opportunity to serve as the next Commonwealth’s Attorney, I will always remember that the office does not belong to me; rather, it belongs to the citizens of Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park. This election is about our future, and I am ready to lead the Office of Commonwealth’s Attorney as we modernize and bring it in the 21st Century.
Timothy M. Olmstead is making his first run for Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney.
The political newcomer seeks to replace current Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Paul Ebert, who has held the job since 1968.
Olmstead now faces Republican Mike May in a “Firehouse Primary” Election on Saturday, May 4.The winner will become the Republican nominee for the seat, and go on to run in the General Election on Nov. 5.
Democrats Tracey Lennox, and Amy Ashworth are also seeking the job. They will face off in a statewide Primary Election on June 11.
Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary
Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General ElectionÂ
Name: Timothy M. Olmstead
Party: Republican
Town: Prince William County
Running for: Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney
Website: olmsteadforca.com
Work:Â Attorney
Education: George Mason University, B.S. in Law Enforcement; George Mason University, B.A. in Government & Politics; Cooley Law School, Western Michigan University, Juris Doctorate
Community Involvement: I am a member of the Virginia Bar, the Prince William County Bar Association, and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. In addition to my practice, I provide pro bono representation to domestic violence victims, have been an adjunct professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Evidence Procedure at Northern Virginia Community College, have served on Prince William County’s Drug Court, and am a former member of the Virginia Homicide Investigators Association.
Questions and answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Olmstead: A. Improve crime data collection B. The opioid epidemic C. gang violence
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Olmstead:
A. We need to modernize our systems and collaborate with our police forces in the county, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
B. Our Governor needs to sign legislation that is currently on his desk, which allows Commonwealth’s Attorneys to charge dealers with felony murder. We need this legislation passed so we can hold drug dealers accountable.
C. Evicting the gangs from our community will require collaboration from all our regional stakeholders and most importantly – moms. The gangs are targeting at-risk youth for new recruits and human trafficking, but studies show that our moms are the best at keeping their kids away from gangs. We must leverage all of our community resources to empower our moms and help them keep their children out of MS-13’s sights.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Olmstead: The Commonwealth’s Attorney is the Chief Prosecutor for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park. They are the more than just an administrator and must take an active role in seeking justice on behalf of victims.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Olmstead: I am the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination who has experience as a prosecutor and who focuses exclusively on criminal law. As a former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, I have prosecuted thousands of cases including rape, robbery, drug crimes, gang violence, and capital murder.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Olmstead: My chief concern is that people are aware of the firehouse primary this Saturday, May 4, from 10 am to 3 pm. You won’t be voting at your normal polling location, but at a special location based on your magisterial district.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Olmstead:Â I have not made any public mistakes, but have learned a great deal from my experience as a prosecutor and a criminal law attorney.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Olmstead: Because experience matters. I am the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination for Commonwealth’s Attorney who has experience as a prosecutor. I am also the only candidate who has tried a capital murder case. You deserve the benefit of my experience keeping our community safe and delivering justice on behalf of victims. There is no substitute for experience and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office is a challenging place to learn on the fly. Trust me.
Martin “Marty” Nohe has been on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors for 16 years.
He’s served as the Coles District Supervisor for all of that time, and how he’s running for Chairman, At-large seat.
John Gray is mounting a campaign against Nohe in a Republican “Firehouse Primary” Election on Saturday, May 4.
Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary
Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General ElectionÂ
Name: Martin “Marty” Nohe
Party: Republican
Town: Prince William County
Running for: Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman, At-large
Website:Â martynohe.org
Work: President, Appliance Connection
Education: Prince William County Public Schools; George Mason University
Community Involvement: Prince William Board of County Supervisors; Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority; State Executive Council for At-Risk Youth; Prince William County Coalition for Human Services; Prince William Chamber of Commerce Board Member; NAACP Prince William Chapter, Life Member; Knights of Columbus John Paul I Council
Questions and answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Nohe: Improving our transportation network; Growing our economy; Protecting open space
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Nohe: Northern Virginia is poised to become the Silicon Valley of the East. Prince William County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of new opportunities in Information technology, Cyber-security, High-tech manufacturing, and the Life Sciences thanks to our educated workforce, availability of commercial land for new facilities, and our relationship with George Mason University.
If elected Chairman, I will be able to use my business experience to work with economic developers to bring new companies to Prince William County. As Chairman of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, I have brought home over $800 million in new transportation investments in the past six years, to address problems like Route 28, Route 1, and VRE.
If elected Chairman, I will be able to continue to bring my transportation expertise to bear and ensure that Prince William County is able to receive a robust share of transportation funds. I have personally spearheaded efforts to preserve hundreds of acres of natural open space in the Rural Crescent, with more acres under consideration for preservation soon.
By working with landowners, conservation groups, and concerned citizens, we can leverage our zoning tools, grant programs, and other government agencies to identify and secure protections for valuable open space to limit development and protect natural open spaces for generations to come.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Nohe: The Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors is responsible for serving the community by providing visionary leadership that ensures that our County continues to be a great place to live, work, run a business, and raise a family.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Nohe: Having served on the Board for four terms as Coles District Supervisor, and as a leader in the Northern Virginia region, I have the unique combination of leadership and experience to help bring our county into a brighter future.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Nohe:Â Â I often find that it is difficult for citizens to know about everything that is going on in the community, which is why it is important to have a trustworthy elected official with a record of open communication, consensus building skills, and a broad yet detailed view of what is happening in our county. As Chairman, I hope to raise community awareness of the benefits that a well-run county government provides in our lives, and find new ways for citizens to engage in public decision-making processes.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Nohe:Â Â I have certainly made any number of decisions which absolutely seemed like the right thing to do at the time, but which turned out to be disappointments when the decisions were implemented. It has taught me to be more aware of potential pitfalls, and more able to admit that there is usually more than one good way to achieve the desired outcome. It has made me a better collaborator, and more capable of considering a wider range of opinions when making decisions.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Nohe: Prince William County is my hometown, and I am proud of the accomplishments that we have made during my time on the Board and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I have been fortunate to represent our community as a leader in the Northern Virginia region, and I bring first-hand business expertise to the job. But most importantly, I am passionate about making our community the best that it can be. I want for my kids to someday say that they are as proud to have grown up here as I am. If given the opportunity to serve as your Chairman, I dedicate myself to making sure that we will all be proud to call Prince William County home.
Patrick Sowers is making his first run at the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
He wants to replace Marty Nohe, the longtime Coles District Supervisor who is now seeking the Chairman At-large seat.
Yesli Vega is challenging Sowers in a Republican “Firehouse Primary” Election on Saturday, May 4, 2019
Find your polling place for the May 4, 2019, Republican Firehouse Primary
Find your polling place for the Nov. 5, 2019, General ElectionÂ
Name: Patrick “Pat” Sowers
Party: Republican
Town: Prince William County
Running for: Coles District Supervisor, Prince William County Board of Supervisors
Website: patricksowers.com
Work: Realtor
Education: Gar-Field High School
Community Involvement: I have been serving as President of the Winding Creek HOA for over a decade, the Vice Chairman of the Prince William County Community Board, a member of the Virginia Community Services Board, former Chairman of the Coles District for the Prince William County Republican Committee. I have been working on local issues with controlling development, school zoning, and many other issues.
Questions and answers
PL:Â What are the top three major issues facing the district you wish to represent?Â
Sowers: Real Estate taxes, transportation, schools
PL:Â What concrete solutions do you propose to address these issues?
Sowers: We need to take the tax burden off of the property owners by working on economic development here in Prince William. By making Prince William a business-friendly place, this will help us achieve the 35% commercial tax base that the Board of County Supervisors has set as a goal. By increasing our commercial tax base we can have access to the funds to better fund roads and infrastructure as well as boost our public school system.
PL: From your perspective, what is the job description of the office you’re seeking?
Sowers: It is the number one function of the Board of County Supervisors to fight to keep our tax rates low while providing the highest level of public services.
PL: What expertise will you bring to the office?
Sowers: I have been serving as President of the Winding Creek HOA for over a decade, the Vice Chairman of the Prince William County Community Board, a member of the Virginia Community Services Board. I have real executive board experience. I have reviewed and renegotiated contracts to reduce budgets and save funds.
PL: Do you feel that the average citizen is well-informed and understands the workings of local government?
Sowers: Most of the Prince William County citizens that I have encountered have a good basic understanding of our local government. There is always room for improvement and I will make efforts to expand communication by utilizing technology and social media.
PL: Have you ever made any mistakes in your public life? How have they affected you?
Sowers: As humans, we all make mistakes or say something that is misconstrued. The important thing is that we learn from those times and improve.
PL:Â Our readers want leaders in local government. Why should they vote for you?
Sowers: I am a natural fit to represent the Coles District and help guide Prince William County into the next decade. My professional experience, commitment to our community, and volunteer leadership have prepared me to help build a prosperous future for Prince William County and you can trust me to accomplish the task.
