Cocke to seek Republican nomination for Brookland supervisor's seat

Two-term Brookland District School Board member Bev Cocke will seek the Republican Party nomination for the Brookland seat on the county's Board of Supervisors, she announced today. The party is expected to select a candidate during a caucus sometime in August. A special election for the seat is expected to be held Nov. 6.

Current Brookland Supervisor Courtney Lynch, a Democrat, is resigning the seat June 30 after just more than half a year in office. She won a special election last November against Republican Bob Witte to fill the final two years of the term originally held by longtime supervisor Dick Glover, who died in February 2017. But Lynch clashed with County Manager John Vithoulkas and fellow supervisors and grew frustrated with her inability to enact the type of change she sought.

Cocke is the first candidate to formally announce her intention to seek the seat this time around. Witte is not expected to run again, and neither is Benjamin Dessart, who also sought the Republican nomination last year.

"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. "I understand the need to have a county government that prioritizes consistent leadership, pro-business policies, safety and supports quality 21-century education for our hometown community."

Cocke was elected to the School Board in 2011 and re-elected in 2015. She is a lifelong Glen Allen resident, has served as a PTA and PTSA president in Henrico and 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.

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

In a letter to supporters, Cocke 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."

Henrico Democrats plan to determine during a July 16 meeting their method of nominating a candidate for the seat. They'll choose between either a firehouse primary (during which voters may cast ballots during a period of several hours at one location) or an assembled caucus, during which all voters must be present at the same time.