Staunton voters cast their ballots Tuesday to elect four of five candidates to Staunton City Council. A few new faces were elected.
Adam Campbell, who was elected to council in November 2023, received 7,231 votes on Election 2024.
“I feel great. It’s been an incredible two years. All the support has been great,” Campbell, who received 26.9 percent of votes, said.
According to Campbell the current members of council set “the stage for some great things.” He is excited about what opportunities the new city council will be able to deliver in 2025.
Campbell said he noticed much more turnout from voters on Election Day in 2023 than today, but attributed that to more voters voting early for Election 2024. He also noticed more of a focus on the U.S. presidential election than the candidates for city council.
Corrie Park, a Virginia Army National Guard veteran, who teaches at Stuart Hall School in Staunton and owns/operates Made for the People by the People in downtown Staunton, received 5,689 votes. Park earned 21 percent of Staunton votes.
Former journalist and Informational Technology expert Jeff Overholtzer has lived in Staunton for more than 30 years and ran for public office for the first time in 2024. He received 5,322 votes from Stauntonians, or 19.8 percent of votes. Overholtzer spent time in the months before Election Day meeting voters and members of city staff to discuss issues.
“It’s really been a joy and a privilege to connect with Stauntonians,” Overholtzer said after the election. He said is grateful to the voters “who put their trust in me.”
Overholtzer looks forward to building on the city’s strengths.
“I really believe our best days are ahead of us,” he said.
During his campaign, Overholtzer mentioned creating more green space in the city which will make Staunton a good steward of resources, continue to make it a tourist destination and a desirable place to live. Adding green space in the city would also “make for a better long-term future” for the city.
Overholtzer thanked the Staunton Visioning Coalition, the Staunton Branch of the NAACP, the Staunton Democratic Committee and the West End Business Association for hosting forums in the fall for city council candidates. He also appreciates Staunton Director of Elections and General Registrar Christi Linhoss for information.
Blake Shepherd has lived in Staunton for more than 30 years and handles advertising and marketing for JMU’s school newspaper The Breeze. Shepherd received 4,459 votes or 16.6 percent and fills the final seat up for election in 2024.
Dan Gunnells received 3,875 votes, or 14.4 percent, and said that he will likely not run again. He said he thinks Staunton has spoken.
“And I respect and support its voice,” Gunnells, who was born and raised near New Orleans and moved to Staunton in 2018, said.
According to Campbell, the city received 500 provisional ballots on Election Day from first-time ever voters.
The new Staunton City Council in 2025 will include Brad Arrowood, Michele Edwards, Alice Woods, Adam Campbell, Blake Shepherd, Corrie Park and Jeff Overholtzer.
Related stories:
Staunton: Adam Campbell seeks re-election to City Council
Corrie Park, a teacher, veteran and business owner, seeks seat on Staunton City Council
Jeff Overholtzer brings journalism, IT experience to run for Staunton City Council seat
Blake Shepherd runs for Staunton City Council with team spirit, knowledge of city’s history
Staunton: Dan Gunnells one of five candidates for City Council
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Rebecca Barnabi
