Both candidates in at-large Albemarle School Board race top $100,000 

The most expensive election in Albemarle County history might turn out to be the race for the at-large seat on the School Board. Meg Bryce and Allison Spillman are vying to replace Jonno Alcaro as the lone elected representative for the entire county. This is from the latest campaign finance report as processed by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Spillman began the month with $34,921 and raised $48,615 in cash with another $3,810 in in-kind donations. The cash includes a $15,000 donation from Sonjia Smith. The campaign spent $39,723 in cash in the month and had an ending balance of $43,813. (view the latest report)

Bryce had $33,756 in the campaign account on September 1 and raised $36,747 with another $2,729 in in-kind donations. The top donor for this month is Richard Gilliam with $10,000. The Bryce campaign spent $19,184 in cash and had a balance of $51,319 on September 30. (view the latest report)

Through the end of September, Spillman has raised a total of $104,216 in cash and Bruce Bruce has raised a total $103,830. This amount does not include in-kind donations. 

The other officially contested School Board race is in the White Hall District.

Appointed incumbent Rebecca Berlin began the month with $3,262, raised $3,949, and spent $250. (view the report)

Challenger Joann McDermid started September with $4,803, raised $1,450, and spent $5,053. (view the report)

In the Rivanna race, incumbent Judy Le is the only candidate on the ballot. She raised $1,625 and spent $1,287 to have an ending balance of $1,287 on September 30. (view the report)

Le does have a write-in challenger in Michelle de Stefano. The candidate did file a report and raised $625 and spent $262 to have a balance of $780. (view the report)

Scottsville District School Board Member Ellen Osborne does not have an opponent. She raised $250, spent $217, and had an ending balance of $817. (view the report)

In 2021, none of the three seats on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors was contested. 

But 2019 was another expensive race for at least two candidates. Independent Michael Johnson raised $99,336 for his write-in campaign against Democrat Bea LaPisto-Kirtley for the Rivanna Supervisor race. Republican Michael Hallahan raised $93,866 in his campaign against Democrat Donna Price. 

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