Incumbents and incumbent-backed candidates prevailed on Election Day in Martinsville.
Patrick Flinn, Sheila Clark and Ruth Easley will serve as Martinsville’s commonwealth’s attorney, treasurer and commissioner of the revenue, respectively.
“You’ve got to exercise your right to vote,” Easley said hours prior to polls closing. “It’s important and it’s good camaraderie with everybody coming out, even if they are on opposite sides.”
In the race for commonwealth’s attorney, Flinn defeated Lynda Hartsell with about 54% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. Provisional ballots and some mail-in ballots must still be counted.
Both ran as independents.
“It’s still a bit surreal,” Flinn said minutes after the final precincts reported in. “We’re still trying to take it in. It’s been a long journey, it’s been a good journey and I’m still processing it to be honest.”
Flinn will replace incumbent Andy Hall, who supported his candidacy after deciding not to run for reelection. Flinn thanked him and the others who supported him.
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“I’m thankful that the people of Martinsville are giving me this opportunity,” Flinn said.
Both Clark and her opponent in the race for treasurer, Kendall Davis, are familiar faces in city governance: Clark has served as acting treasurer since the retirement of her predecessor, Cindy Dickinson, earlier this year, while Davis is the city’s communications and community engagement director. Both ran as independents.
Clark secured about 70% of the vote.
“I’m very excited,” Clark said. “I want to thank all my supporters for their encouragement and support.”
Clark said she is looking ahead to her next four years.
“It’s back to work as usual,” Clark said. “I want to make [the office] more efficient, more modernized, that’s the plan.”
In the race for commissioner of the revenue, incumbent Easley edged out challenger Shasta Carmichael with about 59% of the vote.
“I’m very thankful to the city of Martinsville voters, I’m thankful to my supporters,” Easley said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and, as we’ve been doing with the city manager, clean up the budget mess that we’ve got to clean up.”
