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Voters give Chase an eighth term

Longtime Culpeper Supervisor Bill Chase edges out challenger to win eighth term

BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Date published: 11/4/2009

By Leanne Jenkins BY DONNIE JOHNSTON

Chairman Bill Chase won a record eighth term to the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors yesterday, but the margin of victory was closer than many had predicted.

In fact, the 72-year-old incumbent lost Brandy Station, the largest precinct in Stevensburg District, by 39 votes to Dewayne Payne, who was not yet 2 years old when Chase was first elected in 1981.

But Lignum and Richardsville, the precincts in his own backyard, went heavily for Chase and the coal-mining executive and retired army officer walked away a winner by 73 votes, 758-685.

Gardiner Mulford, the third candidate in the Stevensburg race, finished with 183 votes, or about 11 percent of the total cast.

"I was very impressed with Payne's campaign," Chase said after his victory. "He said he knocked on about 900 doors."

Chase, who declared last night that this campaign would be his last, added that he had concerns about Payne's formidable challenge.

"I really didn't know how it stood," he said. "You don't go 28 years without angering some people. This was a very rewarding victory."

Stevensburg was Culpeper's only contested Board of Supervisors race. Incumbents Bradley Rosenberger (Jefferson District) and Larry Aylor (Cedar Mountain District) were unopposed.

In School Board races, it was also a night for the incumbents. Elizabeth Hutchins (Cedar Mountain) and Bob Houck (West Fairfax) both won handily while Leanne Jenkins (Jefferson) and Chairman George Dasher (Stevensburg) ran unopposed.

Hutchins wound up with 66 percent of the vote in defeating challenger Richard Goff.

"I think it was my dedication to the kids and to education that made the difference," said Hutchins, who earned her third term. "I'm also very responsive to the voters."

It was Hutchins' second lopsided win over Goff in as many elections.

The victory was the first for Houck, who was appointed to the School Board in late July to replace Jimmy Lee. Houck collected 67 percent of the votes cast in West Fairfax to defeat challenger John Cerio.

"I feel like the people have shown confidence in my ability," Houck said. "I appreciate the opportunity to be elected and will do my best to serve."

Donnie Johnston:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com

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Date published: 11/4/2009