Cocke, Schmitt, Plaugher to seek Brookland seat

Two Republicans with deep ties to the Brookland District will seek the party's nomination to compete for the Brookland seat on the Board of Supervisors, while at least one Democrat has announced plans to do the same in his party.

Two-term Brookland School Board member Bev Cocke and political newcomer Dan Schmitt, president and founder of RMC Events, will face off in a Republican Party canvass next month for the right to run in a special election Nov. 6. Democrat Danny Plaugher has announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination for the seat.

November's winner will serve the final 13 months of a term originally held by longtime Republican Supervisor Dick Glover and more recently by Democrat Courtney Lynch, who resigned last month.

Henrico Republicans have not released information about how or when they will select their nominee, but Henrico Democrats will determine July 16 whether they’ll hold an assembled caucus – meaning all voters would be present and cast their ballots at one specific time – or an unassembled one, meaning voters would have several hours within which to cast ballots at one central location.

Both parties seem likely to hold their selection processes in August.

Plaugher informally announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination June 23 during a Henrico Democrats meeting. Cocke (June 27) and Schmitt (July 3) followed shortly thereafter.

Cocke, who was elected to the School Board in 2011 and re-elected in 2015, is a lifelong Glen Allen resident who served as a PTA and PTSA president in Henrico and later served as the Henrico Christmas Mother in 2015. She also has served on a number of boards and committees in Henrico, including the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee.

She is employed as a business development manager for T3 Media, LLC, the parent company of the Henrico Citizen and HenricoCitizen.com, and is a graduate of VCU.

Schmitt founded RMC Events (an event management company that until recently was based in Henrico) in 1999, shortly after his graduation from the University of Richmond. The company employs nearly 2,000 people, most on a part-time basis, and provides security and management to numerous sporting events, concerts and other activities. Schmitt also serves as the Brookland representative on the Capital Region Airport Commission as an appointee of late Brookland Supervisor Dick Glover.

Plaugher, the executive director of Virginians for High Speed Rail, was his party's nominee in 2015 and won 40 percent of the vote in an attempt to unseat Glover. After Glover's death, Plaugher again sought the party nomination to run in last year's special election but lost to Lynch.

Lynch then defeated Republican Bob Witte in last November's special election – earning the right to serve the remaining two years of Glover's term – but abruptly resigned in June after just seven months on the board. She had clashed with fellow board members and County Manager John Vithoulkas and decided not to complete the term.

During his previous candidacies, Plaugher has vowed to continue the revitalization of the district – with an increased focus on building sidewalks, streetlights and bike paths – and ensure strong educational opportunities for students as well as strong job opportunities for citizens.

Plaugher, a Manassas native and VCU graduate, also is a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and the Henrico Citizens' Academy.

Cocke was moved to run in part by a desire to provide a consistent leader for Brookland citizens, she said. She vowed to focus on education and the creation of 21st century opportunities for Henrico students, as well as economic growth countywide.

“It’s is an honor to have the outpouring of support and encouragement from so many of my neighbors asking me to step up and serve the Brookland District as supervisor,” Cocke said in a statement when she announced her candidacy. “I understand the need to have a county government that prioritizes consistent leadership, pro-business policies, safety and supports quality 21st-century education for our hometown community.”

In a letter to supporters, she championed her knowledge of the district and experience working within it.

“I know Brookland – its people, its history, and its challenges for the future,” she wrote. “If given the opportunity, I will continue to be accessible and work tirelessly for our hometown as the full-time supervisor we deserve. I know you have heard me say this many times, but I believe Brookland is the heart of Henrico County. As our Brookland District supervisor, I will remain accountable to you, be your voice, and deliver results for our unique community.”

If elected, Schmitt would work for an increased sense of community, as well as enhanced recreational and economic opportunities within the district, he said in a statement, while keeping tax rates low.

“I’m fortunate enough to wake up every day and absolutely love what I do,” Schmitt said in a statement announcing his candidacy. “Whether it’s within my business or volunteering in my community, I welcome the variety, chase opportunities, focus on flexibility, embrace the challenges, accept nothing but success, and refuse to settle for mediocrity. I will take this same attitude and passion to work for you as your next Henrico Brookland District Supervisor.”

In May, Schmitt was recognized by the Richmond Regional Tourism Board as the 2018 Unsung Hero of regional tourism for the impact RMC Events personnel have upon the visitors to the region. In May 2017, he was named the Henrico County Community Leader of the Year by ChamberRVA and the Henrico County Business Council. RMC annually serves more than 9,400 events in Virginia.

During his tenure as president of the Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association, which began in 2014, Schmitt has led efforts to refurbish four playing fields and add a number of amenities to the complex, including batting cages, scoreboards and paved walkways. He began volunteering with the organization in 2006.