Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney among key county races
The race for Chesterfield County commonwealth’s attorney pits Republican incumbent Stacey Davenport against independent challenger Erin Barr.
Barr
Barr, a prosecutor of 13 years, is a senior assistant for the Colonial Heights Commonwealth’s attorney’s Office. Her experience in Chesterfield includes serving as assistant commonwealth’s attorney and as deputy commonwealth’s attorney, and she also had an interim stint as commonwealth’s attorney in Dinwiddie County.
She has overseen cases involving crimes against children, domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking. She has also been a member of the Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Drug Court Team for the past eight years.
Barr said she wanted the Commonwealth’s attorney’s Office to become less politicized, which factored into her decision to run as an independent.
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“The Commonwealth’s attorney is a non-partisan office and a prosecutor should be beholden to the law, the truth, and justice, not to a particular political party,” she said.
“The Chesterfield Commonwealth’s attorney’s Office has become over-politicized, and it is time that a public servant holds the position of commonwealth’s attorney instead of a politician more concerned with party affiliation than the effective prosecution of crime.”
Top priorities for Barr include rebuilding relationships with law enforcement agencies, building relationships with community organizations, and improving community engagement. Substance abuse and gun violence are among the biggest community issues she wants the Commonwealth’s attorney’s Office to address.
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Davenport
Davenport was elected as Chesterfield commonwealth’s attorney in 2019. She previously served as a prosecutor in Essex and Henrico counties, and she was a public defender in Richmond for nearly eight years.
Many of her cases center around violent crimes and crimes against women, placing a particular focus on domestic violence and human trafficking cases. She also worked to increase victim access to the Chesterfield Victim Witness Program.
Ongoing initiatives of Davenport’s include curbing drug activity, reviewing police body camera footage, and diversifying the Commonwealth’s attorney’s Office.
In February, Davenport and Chesterfield Police Chief Jeffrey Katz were reprimanded by a Chesterfield judge for their public dispute over the handling of a solicitation case involving a Virginia Beach pastor.
In April, Davenport was publicly admonished by the Virginia State Bar for an ethics violation. She was cited for violating trial publicity rules after issuing a news release about the murder trial of John H. Howard prior to its beginning. Howard was later found guilty of killing his girlfriend, but died before being sentenced.
Despite the controversies, Davenport scored a close victory over Tom McKenna in June’s Republican primary with 51% of the vote.
According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Barr has raised $60,493, compared with Davenport’s $30,968, as of Aug. 31.
Commissioner of the revenue
Another key contest in Chesterfield places Jenefer Hughes against Rick Ferrell for commissioner of the revenue.
Hughes
Hughes, a Democrat, is the county’s current commissioner of the revenue, winning a special election in 2017 to become commissioner, and being reelected in 2019. She holds a Master Commissioner certification in Virginia.
During Hughes’ tenure, her office launched an online citizen portal, expanded Department of Motor Vehicles services, and installed Spanish language services and documents.
She also worked with the Board of Supervisors to increase senior and disabled citizen tax relief from $52,000 to $60,000.
Hughes said she is working on a plan to simplify business tax reporting and expand federal income tax reporting services in Chesterfield.
Ferrell
Ferrell, the Republican challenger, is an Army veteran who served as an assistant fire chief for the Defense Supply Center Richmond. He retired earlier this year to run for office.
Armed with federal budget experience, Ferrell said he will be a top advocate for lower taxes and will work with the Board of Supervisors to combat inflation. Described as a “fiscal conservative,” Ferrell looks to ensure Chesterfield is an “affordable place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Ferrell also wants to increase transparency and accountability in the commissioner’s office, which includes transparency about the use of taxpayer funds.
From the Archives: The James River
James River
03-24-1962: Dock St. Area
James River
12-11-1963 (cutline): Dredging would open James River to bigger ships. View is downriver, past intermediate terminal.
James River
10-04-1941: James River
James River
07-25-1964 (cutline): The Virginia Power Boat Association Marina here is one of few on the Jmes River. The scenic, and historic, stream offers more for the spectator that for the participant
James River
04-20-1965: James River
James River
08-29-1969 From photographic assignment order: Place: James River Subject/Instructions: One week ago today the James River started to reach its crest (28.6 feet at 3 a.m. Firday) We need a scenic picture of the James for contrast. Perhaps someone (a kid) fishing along Riverside Drive. Any ideas you have would be gladly accepted.
James River
08-14-1963 (cutline): Looking east from Bosher’s Dam
James River
07-07-1966 (cutline): More rocks than water are evident in the section of the James River here. View across river is from South Bank near the end of the Lee Bridge.
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