Burkholder clinches commissioner spot

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GOP candidate carries every precinct in city

By J.R. Williams -- jrwilliams@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- A closely fought race to be the city's next commissioner of revenue ended with the Republican carrying every precinct in the city.

Ann T. Burkholder was elected with 42 percent of the vote, according to complete, but unofficial, election results. She will serve a four-year term.

J.S. "Steve" Bauserman, a Democrat and former City Council member, placed second with 1,795 votes to Burkholder's 2,167.

Independent candidate Rick L. Brown came away with 1,155 votes, or 22.5 percent.

Burkholder, 49, was notified of her win by phone by former city Republican Party chairman Vince DiBenedetto, who was taking vote totals at the city registrar's office.

"I'm so overwhelmed at this moment," Burkholder said. "I decided to run my campaign as a voter. I decided to visit every voter in the city I could possibly visit.

"I really felt like the best candidate, and I really wanted to run my campaign the right way."

Burkholder is a former small-business owner and computer systems analyst.

The tax administrator's race was the city's only contested post this year. The office is responsible for real estate assessments, issuing business licenses and administering personal property, vehicle and meal taxes.

Incumbent John G. "Jay" Russell III, who has served in the post since replacing Lackey G. Sempeles in 2001, announced his retirement early this year.

Each candidate ran extensive campaigns. Voters saw direct mailing, TV ads and aggressive door-to-door campaigning.

Bauserman, Brown and Burkholder have divergent backgrounds and education, but all expressed confidence up to the election that their experience best prepared them for the job. Each made rounds at local polling places Tuesday.

Bauserman, who said this would be his last attempt at public office, addressed Democratic supporters at Donato's Italian Restaurant.

"It didn't turn out the way we'd like, but I don't think we could have done anything more in this campaign," he said. "I'm sorry I couldn't get a win for you, but let's win it the next time around."

Brown said the voters had spoken.

"Without being in a major party, it's very tough," he said. "I want to thank those who voted for me, because I think they wanted change, too. ... I knew it was a long shot going in."

City voters also re-elected three unopposed officials. Sheriff Lenny W. Millholland, a Democrat, Treasurer R. Mark Garber, a Republican, and Commonwealth's Attorney Alexander R. Iden, also a Republican, each will serve new terms. According to the State Board of Elections' Web site, Millholland received 4,687 votes, while Garber collected 4,470 and Iden 4,395.

The city reported a 38 percent voter turnout, with 5,299 of 13,899 voters visiting the polls. City Registrar Joyce Braithwaite said no major problems were reported at polling locations.