Incumbent Del. Wren Williams, R-Stuart, is among the state candidates seeking reelection in November, along with candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General.
“In three years, I have proudly stood up for rural Virginians who are struggling with rising healthcare costs and limited accessibility to adequate healthcare resources while remaining a strong conservative voice” for traditional Southwest Virginia values, Williams said when announcing his reelection bid.
“Our record has been one that stands up for the rule of law while defending the rights of hardworking Virginia families. From protecting our Second Amendment to securing medical resources for Patrick County to standing up to utility companies and delivering reduced rates for Southwest communities, our office has been a voice for Southwest and Southside Virginia,” Williams said.
He added that he remains committed to “being a conservative champion and advocate” for President Trump’s America First agenda. “There is a lot at stake this year … I look forward to hitting the campaign trail and listening to voters’ concerns” throughout the 47th District, which includes Carroll, Floyd, and Patrick counties, part of Henry County, and the City of Galax.
Williams also is the president of Schneider & Williams, P.C. in Stuart. He and his wife, Britt, have two children.
In Patrick County
Four local seats will be on the November 2025 ballot, with at least half of the incumbents planning to seek reelection. The local seats are the Dan River District and Smith River District positions on the Patrick County Board of Supervisors and the Patrick County School Board.
Board of Supervisors
Doug Perry, of the Smith River District, said he is currently unsure whether he will seek reelection, but he probably won’t.
“I’m going to have to wait and see. Right now, we got a lot going on, and I really haven’t focused on that. Just focusing on the task at hand,” he said, adding that he and the rest of the board are busy identifying the issues and solutions. “Right now, that’s what’s important.”
Andrew Overby, of the Dan River District, currently plans to seek reelection for his first full term. Overby, who was elected in November to finish out the remaining year of a four-year term.
“I want to continue to try and make Patrick County better,” he said. (See related story)
School Board
Rob Martin, of the Dan River District, plans to seek a second term and said he feels he’s done a good job during his first term.
“I feel that I’ve done a good job for my constituents in the school system as well as students and staff in the county. With the county finances being the way that they’ve been the last several years, I’ve been able to help, I think at the end of this year, it will be close to $1.4 million that we’ve been able to give back to the county, whether it be funding for SRO positions or donating property back to the county,” he said.
Noting the learning curve to being an effective school board member, Martin thinks his knowledge will benefit the county.
Martin said covered walkways were installed at Blue Ridge Elementary School to prevent bus riders from having to wait in the rain for the bus and locker rooms will be renovated. The locker rooms have not been useable” for many years, he said. “Since the gymnasium was built, we’re finally getting the project started that will get the locker rooms back where the kids can use them.”
At Patrick County High School (PCHS), Martin said he helped get the support of other board members for new tennis courts and replaced the lighting on the football field, which he felt was a safety concern.
“The woodpeckers were drilling nests in the poles,” he said, and explained that when one of the poles was “cut free at the bottom, the pole split in half because of a massive woodpecker’s nest. Thank goodness that never fell during an event there at the school, but we were able to replace those lights,” he said.
If re-elected, Martin will continue to pursue the expansion of Career & Technical Education (CTE) at PCHS. By next year, he hopes seniors who are at least 18 years old can take the linemen’s course through Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC).
He also wants to see a HVAC program, plumbing, and an electrical certification program created, so high school students can graduate and enjoy a lucrative career without having to attend college.
“Of course, we have the welding program. That is tremendous, and the auto mechanics, cosmetology, all those programs are great, but I want to try and add to the programs that we have to give our kids the best opportunity to succeed in adulthood with a good, steady job. HVAC, plumbing, electricians, that is all jobs that kids can remain in Patrick County,” he said.
Walter Scott, of the Smith River District, is not sure whether he will seek reelection to the school board or try his hand at representing his district on the board of supervisors.
“I’m running for one of the two seats, but I’m not sure which one. At this time, I’m still weighing the options. I’d love to be on both boards,” he said.
Scott said his indecision about which seat he plans to run for stems from not wanting to give his place on the school board to someone who could potentially cause damage. He is also considering how being on each board will affect his family and his ability to be there for them.
As of February 10, Patrick County Registrar Susan Taylor said she had not received packets from any candidate. June 17 is the final day for interested candidates to submit the necessary paperwork for inclusion on the ballot. Those who don’t meet that deadline may run in the election as a write-in candidate.
