McKeel will not seek fourth term on Albemarle Board of Supervisors

After nearly three decades as an elected official in Albemarle County, Diantha McKeel will step away from local government at the end of the year.

“While I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served this wonderful community, which I have called home for 50 years, it is time for me to step aside and make way for a new generation of leaders,” McKeel said in a statement.

McKeel grew up in Staunton and earned a Licensed Practical Nurse certification from the University of Virginia and served many years in the Gynecology, Gynecology-Oncology and Cardiology departments. She retired in 2015.

McKeel ran unopposed for the School Board in 1997 to represent the Jack Jouett District and won three additional four-year terms. In 2013, she opted to run for the Supervisors seat when Dennis Rooker announced he would not seek re-election.

That year she ran as an independent and faced Phillip Seay and won with nearly 70 percent of the vote. She faced no opposition in 2017 or 2021, and ran as a Democrat in those years.

“Public service is an honor and a responsibility, and I thank all who answered their door when I knocked and for meeting over coffee or sharing Happy Hour!” McKeel said. “I have shown up, listened, and focused on your concerns as best I could and wouldn’t trade a minute!”

In response to an email, McKeel pointed to several accomplishments including the “creation of the Regional Transit Partnership, MicroCat, and now the Charlottesville Albemarle Regional Transit Authority which will provide improved transit connectivity for our community.”

McKeel also included the creation of a master plan for three Albemarle schools on Hydraulic Road.

“The Lambs Lane Campus Master Plan which, if implemented, has the potential to create a true educational campus for families in the urban ring,” McKeel said.

Here are some others:

• “The upcoming Albemarle County Regional Jail renovation which will provide vastly improved conditions for inmates, families, and employees”
• “Better coordination and teamwork between the ACPS and County Government and between the City, UVA, and Albemarle County”
• “Working with VDOT to provide significant transportation and pedestrian improvements”
• “Spreading art installations throughout the Jack Jouett District”
• “Sincere efforts to address quality of life concerns brought to me by my constituents”

This year the Rio District and Samuel Miller seats are up for election this fall. Neither Ned Gallaway or Jim Andrews have indicated their plans.

In Charlottesville, both Brian Pinkston and Juandiego Wade have announced they will run for re-election to City Council this year. No other candidates have announced for the two seats.

Before you go: This article was originally sent out as part of the Charlottesville Community Engagement newsletter in the January 28, 2025 edition. Both are functions of Town Crier Productions. You can support the work by purchasing a paid subscription or contributing monthly through Patreon. You can also send in a check or send an email, but drop me a line first.