Tim Martin wins Commonwealth’s Attorney in Augusta County

Photo by Pat Jarrett

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Sitting across the lunch table from Tim Martin in Staunton earlier this year, I asked why he was challenging long-time incumbent Commonwealth’s Attorney Lee Ervin instead of waiting perhaps one more term when Ervin would possibly retire.

Martin looked at me with a steady stare and replied, “Why not now?”

Why not, indeed. Working as a deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in Staunton after moving from Richmond to Augusta County in 2013, Martin, 39, easily defeated Ervin on Tuesday with 62 percent of the vote.

Jerry Kilgore headlines fundraiser for Chuck Slemp for Commonwealth’s Attorney

By Lynn R. Mitchell

In 2005 when Chuck Slemp was driving gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore to political events around Virginia, the University of Virginia at Wise graduate with the engaging personality and friendly smile had a goal. His plan was to attend law school and return to  Wise to open a law office and serve the citizens of southwestern Virginia. Now ten years later, Chuck’s dream came true and he is a successful and established attorney with law offices in Wise and Pennington Gap.

Married, he and his wife have two children, and he has a new goal: Commonwealth’s Attorney. His campaign is in full swing as he and his team of volunteers work toward election day. This week Chuck’s old boss will be in town to help. Former Virginia Attorney General Jerry Kilgore will headline a fundraiser dinner on Thursday, October 1, at the Inn at Wise.

The names of Republican officials who have been invited read like a who’s who and include Delegate Terry Kilgore, Senator Bill Carrico, Senator Ben Chafin, Delegate Todd Pillion, Delegate Israel O’Quinn, Delegate Will Morefield, and Delegate Jeff Campbell. Thursday’s event will be the place to be in southwestern Virginia.

See also Chuck Slemp to run for Wise Commonwealth’s Attorney.

If you’re going:

What: Dinner to support Commonwealth’s Attorney Chuck Slemp
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015
Time: 6-7:00 Reception / 7-8:30 Dinner
Place: The Inn at Wise, Main Street, Wise, Virginia
$50 per person/Dinner
$100 per person/Reception and dinner
Sponsorships available

Chuck Slemp for Commonwealth’s Attorney
Facebook / Twitter @ChuckSlemp

Charles Slemp to run for Wise commonwealth’s attorney

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I received an email from Chuck Slemp with the newspaper attachment announcing his run for Wise County commonwealth’s attorney. I smiled because it was not unexpected. I didn’t know what he would run for but knew he would probably be a candidate for public office (see Slemp announces bid for commonwealth’s attorney). The article noted the reason the position has recently become available:

Wise County’s current commonwealth’s attorney, Ron Elkins, will vacate the county post on Nov. 30 as a result of his election late last week by the Virginia General Assembly to a judgeship on the 30th Circuit Juvenile & Domestic Court.