Republican voters ousted three of six incumbents in 10 board of supervisors primaries across Southwest Virginia on Tuesday.
It’s unclear yet whether the winners of the Republican primaries, all in heavily Republican-leaning localities, will face Democratic opponents in the fall. Here’s a breakdown of the primary results for these races:
Augusta County: Grepps defeats Dimitt
Stephen Grepps won the nomination for the Beverley Manor District seat with 52% of the vote over Justin Dimitt. The seat is currently held by Butch Wells, who is not seeking reelection.
Grepps has lived in Virginia since 1992 and was a first responder for over four decades, he said in responses posted in the Cardinal News voter guide. He’s the longest-active member of the New Hope Volunteer Fire Department. He’s retiring as a lieutenant from the Augusta County Fire Department in July.
He said he supports balancing the budget without raising taxes, and he noted the importance of new revenue streams for the county as well as transparency.
“If elected, I will always prioritize the needs of the citizens, remain faithful to my values, and listen to what matters most to the district I serve,” Grepps said in the voter guide.
Bedford County: Incumbent Bansley wins
In District 3, incumbent Charla Faye Bansley won the nomination with 58% of the vote over challenger Brent Derwin Epperson.
Bansley has been a part of multiple political organizations, including the Liberty Counsel and Concerned Women for America. She said that in her time on the board, she’s been a part of adding deputies and school resource officers, expanding broadband access, opposing solar farms and endorsing the movement for Bedford County to be designated as a Second Amendment sanctuary.
Bansley said she supports keeping taxes low while attracting more jobs and businesses.
Botetourt County: Incumbent White ousted; Snyder over Padgett
Amsterdam District
In the Amsterdam District, Tim Snyder took 56% of the vote over Dirk Padgett. Steve Clinton, who currently holds this seat, retires at the end of this year.
Snyder has lived in Botetourt for over four decades and grew up on a family farm in Fincastle. He’s the director of Technology at Virginia Lutheran Homes and the owner of GSS Computer Technology.
He’s sat on a number of boards and commissions as a former Booster Club president, youth sports coach and adviser through Leadership Roanoke Valley. He currently serves on the county’s planning commission.
He said in a recent interview that he supports economic development where it’s appropriate and “well-planned growth.” He said he doesn’t intend to raise real estate taxes.
Buchanan District
In the Buchanan District, Amy White was ousted by Linda Rottman, who took about 57% of the vote. White has served on the board of supervisors for five years.
Rottman said in the Cardinal News voter guide that she’s lived in Botetourt since 2013. She said she feels White “betrayed [the residents’] trust.” Residents have told her, she said, that their taxes are too high.
She said she’s particularly concerned with the budget process and suggested a “zero-based budgeting” model. She said farmers in Botetourt have been “forgotten” and lives on a farm herself.
Carroll County: Incumbent Early wins
In the Laurel Fork District, Jody Early III took 59% of the vote over challenger David Riggen. He’s completing his second term on the board of supervisors, separated from his first term by 18 years.
Early was born and raised in Carroll County before serving in the U.S. Air Force. He’s been a member of the board of supervisors budget committee for three years and is vice chair of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority, as well as serving on other local commissions and boards.
In his responses to questions in Cardinal News’ voter guide, Early said he believes the biggest challenges facing the county are a lack of infrastructure, like high-speed internet and an airport, and an aging population.
“I am fighting hard to keep taxes as low as possible while attracting business with good paying jobs without sacrificing the rustic beauty we all love,” he said.
Craig County: Challenger VanDyke defeats incumbent Matyas
In the Simmonsville District, incumbent Jason Matyas was ousted by challenger Shaun VanDyke, who received 55% of the vote — with a margin of only 15 votes.
VanDyke has lived in Craig for more than four decades and said in the Cardinal News voter guide that he’s a fourth-generation resident.
He served 23 years in the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of command sergeant major. He’s been an employee of Craig County Public Schools for 18 years.
He said he believes that the county’s biggest challenge is an inadequate voice advocating for public schools on the current board.
Floyd County: Phillips defeats incumbent Bechtold
In the Indian Valley District, incumbent Kalinda Bechtold was defeated by challenger Walter Phillips, who won about 53% of the vote — a margin of just 18 votes.
According to his Facebook page, Phillips served in the Air Force and worked at Roanoke Electric Steel for 27 years.
He said he supports reinstating 24/7 rescue squad services, eliminating wasteful spending, lowering taxes, strengthening schools, creating new jobs and maintaining roads.
Grayson County: Cunningham defeats Hyder
Sandy Cunningham won the nomination for the Wilson District seat with 58% of the vote over Brian Hyder. The seat is currently occupied by Brantley Ivey, who is not seeking reelection.
According to Cunningham’s Facebook page, he’s a lifelong resident of Grayson County. He’s been a farmer for more than three decades and serves on the County Office Committee for the Farm Service Agency.
Cunningham said he’s concerned about rising property taxes for aging landowners. He also wrote on his page that he hopes for better communication systems for first responders in the district and to retain more young people.
Montgomery County: King defeats Buckner
Todd King received about 66% of the vote in District D, beating Dale Buckner.
In his responses in the Cardinal News voter guide, he said that he has lived in the district for more than 50 years and was a volunteer firefighter/EMT for over two decades.
King said he’s supportive of affordable housing and incentivizing starting small businesses. He voted not to raise the real estate tax the last two years and wants to lower it from 89 cents to 70 cents. He said he believes tax increases are not necessary in providing a quality public school system.
Tazewell County: Breeding betters Wade
In the race for the Western District seat, currently held by Andy Hrovatic, Curt Breeding defeated Mike Wade with about 57% of the vote.
According to Breeding’s Facebook page, he has lived in the county for 45 years. He’s a small-business owner and a farmer, and he has served on multiple boards and committees in the county.
He’s a supporter of youth sports programs and is a chair of the Recreation Development Authority.
