News Ticker

New faces in council races for seats in Luray and Shenandoah

July 7, 2022 Pagevalleynews 0

~ PVN staff report

LURAY, July 7 — Earlier this spring, the local fall elections in Page County weren’t looking like they would offer much excitement. It appeared as if the number of candidates would match the number of open seats, and the county’s 16,000-plus registered voters would be left with no real decisions to make. However, a few late filings prior to the June 21 deadline have now brought new faces into the mix and new names on the Nov. 8 ballot, creating real races for council seats in both Luray and Shenandoah.

Jeremy Hilliard, a local Civil War re-enactor and staunch Second Amendment defender, is the latest name to enter the race for three open seats on the Luray Council. He joins current Harvard University student Alex White, who announced his candidacy in March.

Incumbents Ron Vickers and Stephanie Lillard are defending their council seats in Luray, while Vice Mayor Jerry Schiro did not file paperwork with the county registrar to retain his seat. Vickers is seeking a third, four-year term on council, while Lillard seeks her first full term after being appointed in early 2021 and then winning a special election in November.

In Shenandoah, Brenda Hagget and Denise Meadows-Cave have entered the race for three open council seats. The two challengers will face two incumbents, as Lynn Fox and Vice Mayor William Kite will defend their seats for another four-year term.

Shenandoah Mayor Clinton Lucas Jr. will run unopposed, once again, for another two-year term.

In Stanley, no new faces emerged, so all three incumbents — Duane Layman, Doug Purdham and Vice Mayor Bruce Stoneberger — will run unopposed to retain their council seats for another four years.

In each municipal race in Page County, voters may select up to three candidates for the three open seats.

One other local office that will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot is Commonwealth’s Attorney. Former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Cave became acting CA when the Honorable Ken Alger II became the newest judge on the bench in the 26th Judicial District last month. Cave received the Republican nomination and will be unopposed this fall.

Early voting for this fall’s general election begins on Friday, Sept. 23 and may be done in person at the Registrar’s Office inside the Page County Government Center on South Court Street in Luray.

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 election — or update current voter registration information — is Monday, Oct. 17.

For more information about voting procedures, deadlines, requesting a mail-in ballot, or volunteering as a poll worker, contact the Voter Registrar’s office at (540) 743-3986 or email cgaunt@pagecounty.virginia.gov

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On the Page County Ballot for Nov. 8, 2022

U.S. House of Representatives – 6th District

Benjamin Lee Cline (R) — incumbent
Jennifer Lewis (D)
Danny LeBeau (I)

Cline easily won the Republican nomination during a June 21 primary over Merritt Hale.

Commonwealth’s Attorney

Acting Commonwealth Attorney Bryan Cave is running unopposed as the Republican nominee.

Luray Council

Jeremy Hilliard
Stephanie Lillard — incumbent
Ron Vickers — incumbent
Alex White

Three open seats will go to top three receiving votes, and voters may vote for up to three candidates. Vice Mayor Jerry Schiro did not file paperwork to seek another four-year term.

Shenandoah Council

Denise Meadows-Cave
Lynn Fox — incumbent
Brenda Haggett
William Kite — incumbent

Clinton Lucas Jr. is running unopposed for another two-year term as mayor. Three open council seats will go to top three receiving votes, and voters may vote for up to three candidates. Councilman Charles Jenkins did not file paperwork to seek another four-year term.

Stanley Council