Samuel Miller District BoS Race: Candidate Fundraising

According to data from the Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), donations from the Real Estate and Construction sector are making a difference in the local campaigns for Albemarle County Supervisor.

The bar graph below shows how much of each candidate’s campaign funding came from donors in the Real Estate and Construction industry.

This year’s only competitive Supervisor race is in the Samuel Miller district (see green area in the map below) where donations from the Real Estate and Construction sector have given Fred Missel a significant fundraising lead over competitor Scott Smith.

In the Jack Jouett district (see purple area in the map below), Sally Duncan is the only Supervisor candidate on the ballot after having won the Democratic primary earlier this year. Half of the funding for her primary campaign came from the Real Estate and Construction sector.

In the Rio district, incumbent Ned Gallaway is running for re-election but didn’t raise any money as he ran unchallenged in both the primary and the general elections.

Crozet United asked the candidates for the Samuel Miller District seat whether Supervisors should accept campaign donations from those with real estate and development interests, given that one of their most important roles is to impartially judge matters that will affect those investments, including zoning ordinances, environmental protections, and zoning map amendments.

The following are the candidates’ responses to that question.

From Scott Smith --

“To the best of my knowledge, I have not accepted any contributions from individuals, PACs, or organizations with financial interests in real estate development. It is essential that the Board of Supervisors remain impartial and free from any real or perceived conflicts of interest, especially when it comes to land use and development decisions. I have no such conflicts. My focus is on representing all residents of Albemarle County, not special interests. My opponent serves as the Director of Development and Design for the UVA Foundation, an organization that is one of the largest developers and landowners in Albemarle County. The UVA Foundation routinely brings development projects before the Board of Supervisors for approval. If elected, he would be placed in the position of voting on matters that directly affect his employer’s financial interests. That is a direct conflict of interest. If he were to recuse himself from those discussions and votes, the residents of the Samuel Miller District would lose their voice on some of the most important land use and development issues affecting their community. Either way, the public loses. Albemarle County deserves a representative who can fully participate in every vote and discussion, without divided loyalties or the need to step aside. Our community needs leaders who are independent, transparent, and accountable only to the people they serve.'“

From Fred Missel –

“People know I'm a straight shooter: tenants, developers, homeowners, and environmentalists alike - many of whom I've disagreed with at some point over my 15 years of public service and many of whom still support and contribute to my campaign because they know I handle myself with the upmost integrity.  This diverse coalition is behind me because no matter what, I have and will decide votes based on 30 years of land use experience and a public service record I'm proud of two things my opponent lacks. Please ask those who have worked with me over these many decades if there have been examples of favoritism, there is no there there. My integrity and visible track record speak for themselves, anything to the contrary is political posturing and untrue.”

Early voting began in September and Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th. To locate your polling location, click here. You can read more about the candidates at their sites:

→ https://scottsmithsupervisor.com

→ https://missel4albemarle.com