Kerr: Four lively races in Stafford

Stafford voters will be deciding the outcome of four supervisors’ races this November. Each is competitive. The outcome will decide which party will dominate the board when the new members take office early in 2010. Two of the races have three candidates, one is a grudge match, and another pits a young candidate against an incumbent.

In my own back yard, Aquia, we have three candidates. Paul Milde, the Republican nominee, is an energetic, well funded, and passionate campaigner. He has a lot of followers, but this year he is up against some serious talent. Paul Ortiz, a retired Marine Colonel, may be his toughest opponent. His focus is on openness in local government. The second independent is Irene Egan. She is also a vigorous campaigner and is passionate about the quality of our local school system. While conventional wisdom may favor the incumbent in this seat, it still looks like a competitive race.

Garrisonville presents one of the most interesting matchups. Supervisor Mark Dudenhefer is facing a new face in Stafford politics, Laura Sellers. She is 24, a 2006 North Carolina State graduate, and while my initial reaction was to dismiss her campaign as a lost cause, I am inclined to think again. She can speak with clarity on the issues, has made it a point to gather information from every conceivable source, and plans an ambitious campaign. While the incumbent is in a strong position, if he was expecting an easy campaign, he might want to think again.

Falmouth is one of the most contentious seats in the county. During the 20 years I have lived in the county there have been five supervisors in that seat. This year it’s a three-way race. In Susan Stimpson the GOP has a lively, friendly, and aggressive campaigner. She has been the odds-on favorite and may well still be. But the race is complicated. Mark Osborn, who lost four years ago as a Republican, is running as an independent. He could dig into the GOP base. Then there is the Democrat, Doug Filler. Filler is quiet, soft spoken, firmly Democratic, and happy to let his Republican opponents fight it out. However, the dynamics of this race aren’t quite that simple. Each candidate sees a way to win.

Finally in Hartwood, Gary Snellings, an incumbent who lost four years ago, wants a rematch, and today’s incumbent Joe Brito is happy to oblige. It’s likely to be a civil race, but many have observed that Brito, who didn’t always appear to be that comfortable when he campaigned four years ago, has learned a lot during his term. He has become an able advocate for his points of view. Snellings is going to face a tougher opponent this time. This race is worth watching.

These contests are about as local as politics in America can get. These races will be fought on our doorsteps, at commuter lots, at football games and outside of grocery stores. And that’s the way it should be.

David S. Kerr is an Aquia resident and a former member of the Stafford County School Board. Contact him at info@staffordcountysun.com.