Prince William Election news

Haymarket Councilman Bob Weir Wins Republican Nomination for Gainesville Supervisor

Pledges transparency, controlled growth, fiscal responsibility

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Long-serving Haymarket Council member and outspoken advocate for transparency Bob Weir won the Republican nomination for the Gainesville seat on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. He was elected at a party mass meeting, Jan. 2, at Park Valley Church in Greater Haymarket.

According to Prince William Republican spokesperson Brian Penn, 372 registered Gainesville District voters attended the meeting. Weir secured enough votes during the first round of voting, via secret ballots. He beat Ray Mizener and Alyson Satterwhite, former Gainesville representatives to the Prince William County School Board.

The Special Election for Gainesville Supervisor is scheduled to be held on Feb. 21, 2023. Weir will face off against Democrat Kerensa Sumer of Manassas. 

The special election is a result of Gainesville Supervisor Pete Candland stepping down from office on Dec. 16, due to a conflict of interest. Many criticized Candland for not stepping down sooner before the supervisors voted on amendments to its Comprehensive Plan and adding the Prince William Digital Gateway to that plan.

Weir has years of experience in local politics, land-use decisions, and managing budgets, having served five terms on the Haymarket Town Council and five terms on the Haymarket Planning Commission. He describes himself as a "long-time advocate" for the people of the Gainesville District, who provides a voice of reason, "unencumbered by personal conflicts."

"I have the experience and expertise to hit the ground running and immediately address the concerns of residents who have been marginalized and ignored, restoring integrity and trust, qualities long,” Weir said.

Weir is known for taking on the Prince William County government and demanding transparency. He opposed the building of data centers along Pageland Lane and criticized how it was approved - not only because the Gainesville District received no representation- but also the secrecy of the projects and how staff, supervisors and their appointed representatives conducted their meetings.

Weir made no secret that he is unhappy with the board (he’s also been critical of previous boards), and tells people to be extra vigilant in order to hold their local elected leaders in check.

At an October rally to keep data centers out of Bristow, Weir told the people the supervisors are not their friends and do not have their best interests in mind. He pointed out how they are willing to place data centers so close to homes and schools without explaining to residents the extent of the impact on them.

He informed residents that the Data Center Overlay District was developed with input from county residents, but the current board chose to override it. Weir maintained there is land available within the overlay district, according to the county's own records, unless future development plans are being hidden from the residents.

Weir hopes to change the direction in which the county is headed and curb residential development that is not well planned. Weir is suspicious of suburban sprawl when the county has not outlined to fund needed infrastructures such as sewer, water, roads, and schools.
While many supervisors say it is a plan to create additional housing to meet future needs, Weir described it as "unfettered development" that would create an "increased tax burden without corresponding public service improvements."

Weir also has a history of calling out politicians regardless of their political affiliations but has described the current board as especially divisive, and unsupportive of Gainesville residents.

"The residents of the county have grown weary of divisive tactics that ignore their interests. I am committed to returning a voice to the residents, championing fiscal responsibility, and maintaining my tradition of open-door service and leadership.”

Weir counts among his accomplishments that also fought shoulder to shoulder with Gainesville residents against the Haymarket transmission lines, and this resulted in Dominion Power ultimately burying the lines.
Weir served on various local councils, committees, and organizations.

He served as Haymarket Town Council Member, 2004-2012; 2020–Present; Planning Commission Chairman, Town of Haymarket, 2012–2015; Planning Commissioner, Town of Haymarket, 2004–2008, 2010–2015, 2020-Present; Prince William County Sustainability Commission member, 2022-Present; Prince William County Data Center Overlay working group, 2016-2018; Coalition to Save Prince William County (currently).

Weir was a respondent and expert witness, Application of Virginia Electric and Power Co., Case No. PUE-2015-00107, served on the Gainesville and Brentsville Magisterial Districts Budget Committee member and was a Gainesville and Brentsville School Board Budget Committee Member

ABOUT WEIR

Bob is a nearly lifelong resident of Virginia, the child of a career Army Officer and State Department employee. After graduating from the University of Virginia and starting a family, Bob chose to move his family to the Gainesville District in 2000, largely as a result of the quality of life and educational opportunities presented by Prince William County.
As a member of the Haymarket Town Council and several civic organizations, Bob has consistently fought for the interests of the County’s residents and engineered many victories for those residents, including the undergrounding of the Haymarket Transmission Line.
Bob and his wife Diane have been married for 31 years, reside in the Town of Haymarket and have put three children through Prince William County schools.

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