New candidates emerge in sheriff’s, C.A. races

Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade’s announcement earlier this month that he will not seek a sixth term in office has created a crowded slate of candidates who are seeking to replace him.

Wade, 62 and a Republican, was elected sheriff in 1999 and re-elected four times since. He has earned bipartisan praise during his time in office for the nationally known RISE (Recovery In a Secure Environment) program, which successfully rehabilitated thousands of substance-abusing inmates. He sought election to Congress two years ago but lost to Democrat Donald McEachin in the race for the Fourth District seat.

Wade recently underwent successful surgery to remove cancer in his kidney and has said that he’s contemplating vacating his position before his term ends Dec. 31.

He is supporting the candidacy of his chief deputy, Alisa Gregory, who intends to seek the Democratic nomination April 27.

Two other Democrats – retired Virginia Division of Capitol Police lieutenant James Layne, who lost by a 29-point margin to Wade in the 2015 general election, and Richmond police officer Harold Ford – also are seeking their party’s nomination for the seat.

Henrico Police detective Bob Matson has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination.

In Henrico, the duties of the sheriff’s office include operating and providing security for the county’s two jails (one at the western government center and the other in New Kent County), securing Henrico’s 15 courtrooms and serving civil process documents and mental health commitment orders.

Gregory has not yet officially announced her candidacy.

Matson has served in the Henrico Division of Police since 2003, following seven years with the Albemarle County Police Department. He is a VMI grad who served in the U.S. Army, the Army Reserves and the Virginia Army National Guard and saw active duty in Iraq, where he earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. He has vowed to continue the efforts of Wade, who also was a Henrico Police officer prior to becoming sheriff.

Layne served more than three decades with the Capitol Police. When he sought election four years ago, he vowed implementation of new policies for handling mentally ill inmates, including transferring many to psychiatric institutions.

Ford has vowed to address recidivism among inmates and develop partnerships with VDOT; Henrico Schools’ Career and Technical Education program; Reynolds Community College and others to improve apprenticeship and job opportunities for inmates after their release.

Other races
Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor – a Democrat concluding her second four-year term – will face opposition in November from a Republican challenger. Who that will be remains to be seen, but one candidate – Owen Conway – has announced her plans formally.

Conway, the daughter of a former longtime Lunenburg County Commonwealth’s Attorney, worked as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney for 20 years before becoming a criminal defense attorney seven years ago. She’s also served as a defense attorney for the Henrico County Drug Court. She has vowed to make the office’s partnerships with law enforcement agencies a top priority if elected.

Henrico voters will have a full slate of candidates to choose from Nov. 5; in addition to electing a sheriff and commonwealth’s attorney, they will fill all five seats on the Board of Supervisors and all five on the School Board. They’ll also help choose two state senators and eight members of the House of Delegates, as well as three members of the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Only one School Board member, Micky Ogburn, has publicly announced plans to seek re-election so far.