McLaughlin to take reins as elected sheriff in New Kent

After serving as second-in-command to outgoing sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. for 24 years, Chief Deputy J. Joe McLaughlin Jr. will get the opportunity to take the helm on Jan. 1, 2016.

New Kent voters elected McLaughlin as the next sheriff during Tuesday’s general election by a margin of almost 2-to-1. McLaughlin accumulated 4,048 votes, defeating challenger Capt. Charles Gardner, another veteran of the county’s sheriff’s office, who totaled 2,097.

“Very humbled,” McLaughlin said when asked about his election as the next sheriff. “I am thankful and blessed for the support I received from the citizens.

“I look forward to working with every member of the community and to have the sheriff’s office work together as a unit to continue to serve citizens of New Kent,” the sheriff-elect concluded.

In the race for District 4 supervisor, first-term incumbent Ron Stiers held off former New Kent treasurer Herbert Jones and write-in candidate Lud Coco to retain the seat. Stiers received 803 votes, outdistancing Jones’ 558 and Coco’s 15.

“I appreciate everyone who supported me and have seen the work I’ve done for the last four years,” commented Stiers. “I will continue to do good things to support District 4 and the citizens of New Kent and thank them for allowing me to represent and serve them for the next four years.”

In District 5, incumbent supervisor Ray Davis survived a write-in campaign from challenger Jack Chalmers to win a fifth term. Davis earned 666 votes while 300 voters cast write-in ballots, presumably for Chalmers.

Davis said in an earlier interview that this term would be his last. Chalmers, a longtime member of the county’s Planning Commission, was making his second bid for supervisor. He ran unsuccessfully for the District 4 post in 2003.

District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn and District 2 supervisor Tommy Tiller ran unopposed to earn the right to represent their respective jurisdictions for an additional four-year term.

This year’s newcomer to the board of supervisors is Patricia Paige. Paige ran unopposed in District 3 and will replace Jimmy Burrell who is retiring after occupying the seat for the past 24 years. She becomes the first African-American woman to serve on the county’s board.

The closest contested race in New Kent involved three candidates vying for the position of Clerk of Circuit Court. Amy Crump garnered enough community support to be named to the position, replacing Karen Butler who opted not to seek another term. Butler has been clerk since winning a special election in 2004.

Crump accumulated 2,344 votes to edge runner-up Beth Dean Gregory’s 2,047. Scott McPhail placed third with 1,438.

In the race for county treasurer, experience played a key factor as incumbent Norma Holmes easily defeated challenger Donna Williams 4,046-1,847. Holmes won her first term in 2011, replacing Jones who had served as treasurer since 1999.

“I couldn’t have done it without my loyal staff, family, friends, and you, the New Kent citizens,” Holmes said. “My staff and I will do our very best to serve you over the next four years in the best possible manner.”

District 2 and District 3 school board write-in results have not been determined as of press Wednesday evening. Final results have not been tabulated, as well as Soil and Conservation.

Running unopposed for school board were newcomer Adriane Marshall in District 1 and veterans Sarah Grier Barber (District 4) and Gail Hardinge (District 5). Other county officeholders facing no opposition were revenue commissioner Laura Ecimovic and commonwealth’s attorney Linwood Gregory.

In state government races, 97th District House of Delegates incumbent Christopher K. Peace and 3rd District Sen. Tommy Norment easily carried New Kent.

According to a member of New Kent registrar’s office, nearly 7,000 out of 13,372 or 52.3 percent of citizens voted during the general election.