Gillette wins backing from Lynchburg Democrats

By Alicia Petska

Published: March 19, 2008

Lynchburg Democrats voted to endorse Ward I Councilman Mike Gillette on Wednesday, choosing the incumbent over challenger Tom Shahady.

Gillette, who had the party’s endorsement in the last race as well, said he considered the decision a “vote of confidence.”

“It’s always heartening to be able to get an endorsement from any group interested in advancing the community,” he said.

Both Gillette and Shahady are running as independents, as is the second Ward I challenger Jim Martin, who did not make a bid for Democratic support.

Local party chairman John Lawrence said invitations to Wednesday’s meeting were issued to all City Council candidates — with the exception of Ward III incumbent Jeff Helgeson, who runs as a Republican.

Initially, all agreed to come, but three later backed out, he said. Ward II challenger David Johnston and Ward IV candidate Turner Perrow indicated they had conflicting appointments. Martin, a retired car dealer making his first run for office, said he decided not to seek any party’s endorsement, Lawrence said.

Those absences left Ward II incumbent Ceasor Johnson, Ward III challenger Nat Marshall and Ward IV candidate Marie Waller unopposed in the endorsement discussions. Each secured the party’s backing.

Shahady, an environmental science professor running on a strongly pro-preservation platform, said he was “surprised” and “disappointed” with the Democrats’ decision.

“I (sought the endorsement) because I thought they agreed with the issues I think are important,” he said. “I’ve really felt (environmental protection) is something that’s important to people. Maybe there’s concern I only have the one issue.”

Speeches given by each candidate prior to the vote were open to the public, but party deliberations were not.

Speaking afterward, Lawrence said committee members liked what Shahady had to say, but ultimately felt Gillette — who he called “our guy” — was the better choice.

“We like Tom Shahady, we feel he’s a good man,” he said. “But we feel Mike’s done a good job on council. We also feel he’s doing a good job addressing some of these issues Tom’s raising.”

Lawrence also noted Shahady’s pro-environmental candidacy ran the risk of splitting the left-wing vote in the community. He expressed confidence in Gillette’s ability to “overcome” that, however.

For his part, Gillette agreed a three-way race in a ward election could be “dangerous” because of the traditionally low turnout. He said he ultimately wasn’t concerned, though, believing that he was a “balanced” candidate who would appeal to both sides of the political spectrum.

In response to a question, Shahady said he felt the endorsement defeat was a negative sign for his campaign.

“If the Democratic committee isn’t going to support an environmentalist, I don’t know,” he said. “It kind of makes you scratch your head.”

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