Commonwealth’s attorney race officially begins with Good’s announcement
~ PVN staff report
LURAY, May 16 — The race to fill the shoes of outgoing Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Cave officially got underway on Friday with the official announcement of Chapman Good‘s candidacy. The Luray native and Marine Corps veteran will challenge Luray Councilman and local attorney Charles “Chuck” Butler for the top prosecutor’s seat in Page County.
“Page County is my home. However, times have changed. Our small, quiet community faces the scourge of the drug epidemic from meth, fentanyl, and other dangerous drugs. Transnational gangs associated with illegal immigration are on our doorstep,” Good stated in his May 16 press release.
Good’s announcement comes on the last day of service by Cave as commonwealth’s attorney before being bumped up to the bench. His investiture as a judge in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court serving in the 26th Judicial District, is set for Thursday, May 22.
Good, the son of Page County Sheriff’s Office Captain, Ikey Good, “fully understands the need for quality public safety operations, including a strong Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. He stands ready to continue in the legacy of incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney, Mr. Bryan Cave, in providing our community effective prosecutorial services and support for victims and witnesses,” according to Friday’s press release.
Chapman was born and raised in Luray, attending both Luary Elementary and Luray High School, graduating in 2001. After working various construction jobs in and out of the county, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 2005, serving as an infantryman and deploying multiple times to combat operations in Iraq.
After receiving an honorable discharge from active duty, Good went on to attend George Mason University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Subsequently, he would earn his Juris Doctorate from the Antonin Scalia Law School at GMU.
“Page County deserves a Commonwealth’s Attorney who will be unwavering in keeping the residents and visitors of Page County safe through tough on crime conservative principles; partnerships with the Sheriff’s Office, and town police, to foster community input in reducing crime; and a tireless commitment to providing resources to reduce crime, drug use, and other illegal activity,” Good stated in his press release.
Current commonwealth attorney Cave served as assistant commonwealth attorney under now-General District Court Judge Kenneth L. Alger II. When the General Assembly confirmed Alger to take the place of retiring Judge Dale Houff of Luray in March of 2022, Cave served as the interim commonwealth’s attorney for the county until a special election was held that November. The next year, Cave won a second uncontested race to secure a full, four-year term that extends through Dec. 31, 2027.
A circuit court judge is expected to make an appointment to the constitutional office soon and that will last through the end of the year. The winner of a special election in November will then carry the office to full term through Dec. 31, 2027.
Due to it being a special election, where the vacancy occurred after the 2024 general election in November, potential candidates have until Aug. 15 to gather signatures and file paperwork with the county’s voter registrar in order to appear on the November ballot.
However, at least for now, the commonwealth’s attorney race features only two candidates.
“In and out of the courtroom, Chapman Good will be a voice that every person in Page County can count on to be an advocate for victims, while working to prevent crime and hold criminals accountable,” his press release states.
“Public safety is central to the prosperity of every community,” Good stated. “If you put me to work as your Commonwealth’s Attorney, together, we will build a safe, strong, and prosperous Page County that will be attractive to job creating businesses, safe schools for our children, and a little piece of Virginia that all Page County residents will be proud to call home. Let’s make this a place the everyone can live, work, worship, and raise a family.”
Learn more about Chapman at good4virginia.org.
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