Council stays red: Lynchburg election results

The Nov. 5 election resulted in Republicans gaining control of three out of the four available seats for the Lynchburg City Council, according to WDBJ7.

In the 1st Ward, which covers north and northwest Lynchburg including Bedford Hills, Republican Jacqueline H. “Jac” Timmer won with 44% of votes. Timmer received 4,472 votes compared to 3,940 for Democrat Randy Smith and 1,702 for Independent Cameron E. Craddock Howe, according to WSLS. She will be replacing Independent MaryJane Dolan.

“It has been a privilege to speak to so many at doors, community events, the polls, and out around our city,” Timmer said in a Facebook post after the election. “I will continue to be available to you, to hear your concerns, and your ideas for our community. The work is only just beginning.” 

Timmer plans to focus on increasing parental influence in education in addition to expanding partnerships with Central Virginia Community College. She also supports the reintroduction of incentives to help developing businesses, the removal of Lynchburg’s business license tax and the simplification of regulations on business expansion, according to votetimmer.com. 

According to WSLS, Democrat Sterling Wilder was elected to keep his position as Lynchburg’s 2nd Ward councilmember with 65% of the votes. As the only Democrat winner in the local council election, Wilder received 3,946 votes, more than double the 1,504 Republican votes and far from the 578 Independent votes. The 2nd Ward refers to eastern Lynchburg, which includes downtown.

“Over the past two years Lynchburg City Council has been known for division, anger, hostility, defund public education and drama,” Wilder said in a Facebook post. “You had an opportunity to change that but you chose more of the same.”

According to the Lynchburg Better Together website, Wilder supports the renovation of the downtown area and local community centers as well as increasing wages and improving police and fire departments to the highest quality. 

Republican Curt Diemer will be replacing Jeff S. Helgeson after winning 61% of votes in the 3rd Ward. Diemer won 4,406 votes while his opponent, James E. Coleman, Jr., earned only 2,826 votes, according to WSLS. The 3rd Ward  includes Liberty University and extends from Timberlake Road to U.S. Route 460 in southern Lynchburg.

According to Diemer’s website, he ran on a platform focused on safety, lowering taxes and decreasing unnecessary spending.  

Republican incumbent Chris Faraldi won 4,476 votes in the 4th Ward compared to Democrat April Watson’s 4,332 votes, according to WSLS. Faraldi will also remain as the vice mayor.

“Today sends a message that Lynchburg voters want leaders who have one goal in mind … to deliver solutions and get the job done,” Faraldi said in a statement to ABC 13. “They know I am a conservative who delivers results for our city, and they can count on that approach over the next four years in city hall.”

According to WDBJ7, Faraldi said he aims to improve the local school system by advocating for renovation projects and allocating more funds to compensate teachers. 

“Let’s get to work!” Faraldi wrote in a Facebook post, linking to an article about his second term plans in the News & Advance.

Davis is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion.