Pittsylvania County Elections – Update #1 – (Part #1)

It’s July 1st, so it’s time to take our first look at the upcoming November 3rd elections. We’ll start with Pittsylvania County’s slate.

Let’s start with the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors. All seven districts are up for election this time. The Dan River, Callands-Gretna and Banister seats will only be for two-year terms, as the county moves to splitting elections into staggered terms.

Let’s get started with our rundown. We’ll knock off the two unopposed races first.

Banister District: Incumbent Jessie Barksdale is running for a two-year term and has no opposition. Even if he had any opposition, he’d easily defeat whoever was brave (or stupid) enough to run against him. I’ve praised Jessie Barksdale plenty of times in the past because he’s brought sanity and functionality to the Board of Supervisors. I am 100% confident that those praises will continue over his next two-year term.

Chatham-Blairs District: Brenda Bowman is one-and-done on the board and that’s a shame for Pittsylvania County. I can’t hold that against her though, as she’s ready to enjoy her retirement years. Like she’s going to stop working? Heh. Anyway, insurance agency owner Bob Warren is the only candidate that filed for the race. He’s got the business sense needed to keep Pittsylvania County going in the right direction. The Chatham-Blairs seat will remain in capable hands.

The easy ones are out of the way. Now let’s move to the contested seats.

Callands-Gretna District: Incumbent Jerry Hagerman is going for his second term, and this one is only for two years. Hagerman pulled the biggest upset four years ago, knocking longtime incumbent Fred Ingram off. Hagerman’s first term has been um… “interesting” as he’s been a wildcard. His vote was the one to overthrow Brenda Bowman’s chairmanship and to fire her husband as economic development director, then he switched his vote to put Bowman back in the big chair. It’s hard to forget his recording of Bill Stanley trying to put a little pressure on Hagerman. That hasn’t been forgotten.

Hagerman has a very credible opponent in this election. Gretna resident Vernon Moon is the owner of Gretna Tire Company. he’s well known and already has people backing him. Incumbents normally start an election cycle with an advantage, but I’m not getting that feeling in this district. Hagerman is going to have to work hard to win another term. SouthsideCentral rates this race LEANING – MOON as of today.

Dan River District: Incumbent James Snead is going for another term (which is one of those two-year terms). Snead has been part of the “southern alliance” which held control of the board until the last few years, but that’s over now. Coy Harville isn’t running for reelection and Tim Barber has a fight on his hands for another term. Since there’s no power now, Snead has to run mostly on his record. Snead is a bulldog when it comes to issues and has a reputation to be gruff at times while stuck in his ways. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it sets him up for a close election if he gets a good challenger.

Joe Davis is a good challenger. He’s started by not attacking Snead but by saying the “it’s time for a change” line.  He’s a likeable guy and he knows how to work a crowd. This is going to be a close race. As of now, SouthsideCentral is giving this race a TOSSUP rating.

That’s the end of Part #1. In Part #2 coming later today, we’ll go over the Westover, Tunstall & Staunton River districts and take a look at the Treasurer & Clerk of Court races. More coming up on SouthsideCentral!