Supervisor Candland Kicks Off Re-Election Campaign

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Attendees enjoy Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland's Campaign Kick-Off Event. Attendees enjoy Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland's Campaign Kick-Off Event.

With the Prince William County General Election just a little more than seven months away, politicians are beginning to campaign.

Gainesville District Supervisor Pete Candland held his Campaign Kick-Off Event on Saturday afternoon at the QBE Building off Washington Street in Haymarket.

A crowd packed into a warehouse-like room to support Candland and his campaign in an open house format.

“I think it’s a great turnout,” said Candland supporter Dottie Leonard. “It’s fun.”

Attendees enjoyed root beer floats, cookies and even a game of cornhole.

Before the republican supervisor made a few remarks of his own, his political supporters addressed the crowd.

Among the various political figures present at the event were Virginia Senator Dick Black, Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman At-Large Corey Stewart and Paul O’Meara, the intraparty challenger to Coles District Supervisor Martin Nohe.

When Candland took the podium, he thanked his supporters and spoke about the campaign trail ahead.

“There’s still a lot more that we need to do,” he said. “I think we need to be focusing on continuing to do those things to make the government more transparent.”

Candland also mentioned the topics he intends to address during the campaign—budgetary reforms, protecting rural spaces and continuing to fight with Dominion Power about the placement of power lines.

Although he is running unopposed at the moment, he mentioned there were rumors of a challenger appearing in the coming months.

Elected in 2011 for the first time, this will be Candland’s second political campaign.

Some of those present at the event were supporters of Candland even before he entered politics.

Ilma Striker, a resident of Broad Run, used to be in a republican women’s club with Candland’s wife, Robyn.

“ would come sometimes and I got to know him,” Striker said. “He just seemed like such an upright person.”

Striker said she will attend future campaign events in support of Candland.

According to Candland, he is looking ahead at only 30 days at a time. With elections coming up on November 3, he will be busy with both campaigning and continuing to do his job.

“I’ll be going around the Gainesville District, helping with other campaigns and just continuing to listen,” he said. “I’m Gainesville Supervisor and that is my primary responsibility even while running this campaign.”

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