Mayor Umstattd Runs for Reelection

Leesburg Mayor Kristin Umstattd is running for re-election.

Umstattd said she decided to run again because she thinks it is "important to have someone on council who is a strong voice for the taxpayers in the town and for citizens and neighbors that often need an advocate on the council."
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If re-elected, Umstattd said she would also like to continue to hold down real estate taxes for residential property owners, work to complete the transportation network in town and complete town storm drainage projects. Umstattd pointed out the completion of Battlefield Parkway and the Sycolin flyover and storm drainage problems on Wage Drive and Fort Evans Road as priorities. - Leesburg Today

(Photo from Leesburg Today)Mayor Umstattd has been on the council since 1992, and during those sixteen years, has been focused on the unglamorous, but critical aspects of governing. This governing style has allowed the Town to weather lawsuits and conflicts, while maintaining our quality of life. Her agenda for her next term, with its focus on completing the transportation work started by the Town in the past few years and improving other critical infrastructure, is the kind of practical local focus which has served Leesburg so well for the past six years.

The Mayor's focus on what is best for Leesburg has meant standing with people like Frank Wolf, when that is best for the Town, in spite of the political implications.

One of her proudest accomplishments as mayor, she said, has been working with Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-VA-10) to get funding for construction of Battlefield Parkway between Kincaid Boulevard and Rt. 7, as well as working with representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation "to ensure they were fully supportive." - Leesburg Today

While the Mayor is a Democrat, she is Mayor first and always puts Leesburg first. Her opponent this year, David Tevis, appears to be more against things than for Leesburg. The Mayor (along with candidates like David Butler) is running for Leesburg (supporting transportation improvements, expansion of the tax base, infrastructure maintenance, etc.), while many candidates are running against the success the Town has had in the past six years. If opponents are advocating a change in leadership, they must explain how they will fulfill the responsibility of governing well and providing what the Town requires (roads, services etc.) in a time of declining budgets and growing needs. Without an answer to that question, the voters of Leesburg are better off re-electing and reinforcing the leadership which has served us so well.