Racing to Collect Candidates
Supervisors Chairman Post Could Make Nov. 7 Ballot

By Fredrick Kunkle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 13, 2006

A fast-moving race to succeed Sean T. Connaughton as chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors is going even faster now that the U.S. Senate has confirmed his nomination to a federal post.

Republicans and Democrats are rushing to prepare conventions for Saturday to select nominees before key election deadlines. The field of hopefuls so far includes two Republicans and a Democrat.

Both sides believe that Connaughton's imminent departure to head the Federal Maritime Administration will probably trigger a special election coinciding with the Nov. 7 general election.

Their haste has been necessary to meet election deadlines in a process that could become more complicated depending on the timing of Connaughton's resignation.

Connaughton, 45, a maritime lawyer in Washington, was nominated in June by President Bush to head the maritime agency. The Senate approved his nomination early this month.

Connaughton, whose second four-year term as chairman is scheduled to end in December 2007, said he is waiting for the president to sign his commission as administrator and is wrapping up loose ends in the county. His resignation and swearing in, Connaughton said, could come as soon as Sept. 1.

"It will all be simultaneous -- one, two, three," he said.

But Democrats say that because the Senate has confirmed him, Connaughton should resign now.

"Connaughton's playing a game," said Victor D. Bras, chairman of the Prince William County Democratic Committee. He said Connaughton was holding on to the office long enough to find a Republican candidate who would satisfy the business community.

Republicans John S. Gray, a former Board of Supervisors candidate from Lake Ridge, and Supervisor Corey A. Stewart (Occoquan) are vying for Connaughton's position.

Gray formally notified the county's Republican party chairman Wednesday of his intent to run and Stewart, 38, officially filed with the county last month. He has been critical of Connaughton's legacy, saying that the county has been too friendly to developers and too quick to raise taxes.

"I've been the voice of dissent on many of the growth issues," said Stewart, who won office in 2003. "I think the county needs to turn the corner and head in a new direction."

Gray, 55, a certified public accountant, pledged to build on Connaughton's record.

"I believe the direction Sean set in this county is in the right direction. I think he's done a good job balancing growth," Gray said. "I think he's done a fabulous job addressing our infrastructure."

Gray, who lost by 17 votes in the 2003 primary, said he had planned to enter the potential race but decided he would do so only if three of Connaughton's allies on the board chose not to.

But Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Maureen S. Caddigan (R-Dumfries) and Supervisor Martin E. Nohe (R-Coles), who previously expressed interest in running, have opted out, party officials said. So did W.S. "Wally" Covington III (R-Brentsville), who also had been listed as a possible contender.

On the Democratic side, Gary C. Friedman, 55, filed campaign papers in January. Friedman, a program director for ACTS, which provides services for the homeless and domestic violence victims, ran for Gainesville supervisor in 1999 and 2003. He has accused Connaughton of allowing developers to call the shots in the county. He did not return a call seeking comment.

Bras said he was hopeful that more people would compete for the Democratic nomination. Among those still considering, he said, were former state legislator David G. Brickley and former county attorney Sharon Pandak.

Brickley said he had not decided; Pandak did not return a call seeking comment.

By law, a judge must issue a writ of election within 15 days after a seat is vacated, and the special election must occur within 45 to 60 days after the resignation date. If the date falls within six months of the regular November election, the special election would coincide.

Election officials also would need to know the names of the candidates by Sept. 8 in order to have them printed in time to send out absentee ballots. But a judge would have until Sept. 23 -- which is 45 days before the general election -- to order an election that could be held Nov. 7.

If the election is not held then, it could not be held until next year because voting machines are impounded for at least 60 days following an election, Bras said. Holding a special election at a separate date would mean lower turnout and a higher taxpayer expense.

Connaughton dismissed accusations that he is stalling to buy time to find a pro-business candidate.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . blah, blah, blah," Connaughton said. "Listen, they've been jumping the gun on this for months. This has to be orderly. . . . You don't just leave the scene when you have that kind of responsibility."

Connaughton also took a jab at Stewart.

"Anyone who has any extended exposure to Mr. Stewart understands the concerns expressed by the entire county. It's a matter of integrity," Connaughton said, declining to elaborate.

Thomas A. Kopko, chairman of the Prince William Republican Committee, said he does not expect any other candidates besides Stewart and Gray to step forward. Kopko also said the swift pace has been driven largely by the Sept. 8 deadline for printing ballots.

"That's the main driver," Kopko said. "But the fact is, there will be a vacancy, and that's why I wanted to make sure our candidate has enough time to campaign."