Adding it up
The results are in! After months of campaigns and a barrage of political ads, voting came to a close in Virginia’s local and legislative elections on November 7.
Locally, progressive candidates swept their races. The Charlottesville area will have two new delegates in the House, with Katrina Callsen winning her uncontested run for the 54th District, and Amy Laufer beating Steve Harvey in the 55th. These Democratic victories contributed to the party’s success in flipping control of the House.
“I woke up this morning with such an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude that women across the Commonwealth can still access reproductive healthcare and not relinquish control of their bodies to politicians,” Callsen said in a Facebook post after Election Day. “Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the Virginians who said loudly and clearly where we stand.”
Laufer also shared her excitement about the results, “For nearly 20 years I’ve worked to serve this community as a teacher, advocate, and elected official. I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue that work in the VA General Assembly. Thank you to the voters of Albemarle, Louisa, Nelson, and Fluvanna. This is only the beginning.”
“The 55th House of Delegates District was always going to be a difficult seat to win as a freedom-loving conservative,” said Harvey in an email to C-VILLE. “We were hoping for better turnout, but were unsurprised by the results.”
Longtime state Senator Creigh Deeds will continue to represent the Charlottesville area in the newly created 11th District, handily defeating challenger Philip Hamilton. “I am humbled by our overwhelming win, which would not have been possible without your support,” Deeds said in an email to his supporters. “The voters were loud and clear about what is important to them—from gun safety prevention to mental health, from abortion access to K-12 education, from climate policy to marriage equality—this is a win for ALL Virginians.”
Though he lost this election, Hamilton says he plans to challenge Deeds again in the future. “I’ll make my official campaign launch in 2025, either before or after the election for the Virginia House of Delegates seats,” he wrote in a statement to C-VILLE. “Out of all the Republicans who lost in 2023, my campaign received the most votes out of any losing candidate in the state of Virginia, and I’ve told my supporters to hold onto my signs for my next run!”
According to data from the Virginia Public Access Project, Hamilton did not garner the most votes of losing Republicans this election cycle. Hamilton’s 25,058 votes fall short of the totals reached by defeated Republican candidates Bill Woolf (27,808) and Juan Pablo Segura (41,104) and ousted Representative Siobhan Dunnavant (36,265).
In the closely watched Albemarle County School Board at-large race, Allison Spillman defeated Meg Bryce with approximately 62 percent of the vote. “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to serve the community as the at-large member of the Albemarle County School Board. I am dedicated to fighting for every child in ACPS. Every child deserves a high-quality education, and I will work diligently to make that a reality,” said Spillman in a press release following her victory.
Though Bryce is disappointed in the election’s outcome, she plans to remain engaged in local politics. “We are just getting started on our work to provide transparency and accountability to ACPS,” she said in a statement to C-VILLE. “Outside of school board issues, after my experience in this race, I am devoted to pursuing efforts that promote civil discourse.”
In brief
Best in business
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2023 business awards: Tracey Greene, John C Vermillion, digital product consultancy WillowTree, and Eugene and Lorraine Williams. Winners were selected by the chamber’s panel of business leaders. The annual Best in Business Awards celebration is scheduled for November 30 at Kimpton The Forum Hotel.
Dropping out
Charlottesville High School Principal Rashaad Pitt resigned on November 8. In a letter sent to CHS community members, Charlottesville City Schools Superintendent Royal Gurley said the school will “quickly” fill an acting principal position, while the search for a new principal would begin immediately. Gurley wrote that Pitt, who came on board as CHS principal in August 2022, chose to resign “in order to focus on his family and health.” Pitt’s last day on the job is November 21.
In recovery
University of Virginia running back Perris Jones has undergone successful spinal surgery and was briefly able to walk after being rushed to the hospital November 9, following a helmet-to-helmet hit during the game against Louisville. Jones was immobilized after the hit, prompting medical personnel from both universities to rush onto the field and cart off the sixth-year senior, who was taken to the University of Louisville Medical Center. The injury shocked players on both teams, many of whom knelt on the grass as Jones was attended to. The running back left the stadium to applause from fans and players.
