Scott Smith launches campaign for Samuel Miller District seat on Albemarle Board

For the first time since 2017 there will be a contested race on the ballot for the Samuel Miller District seat on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors.

Republican Scott Smith will face Democrat Fred Missel in the November 4 election. The last time there was a contested race was 2017 when Democrat Lizbeth Palmer defeated Republican John Lowry. Palmer unseated incumbent Republican Duane Snow in the 2013 election.

A small crowd cheered as Smith cycled his way toward the steps of the Albemarle County office building in downtown Charlottesville.

“You might have noticed me riding on a little orange horse here,” Smith said, pointing at his bike. “It’s reminiscent of Paul Revere riding in to warn the patriots at Lexington and also Jack Jouett when he wanted Jefferson and many others in Charlottesville of impending danger.”

Smith pointed to the front doors of the former Lane High School and said he was here to warn voters of what he described as a “brewing tempest of tax increases.”

“As a citizen over the last five years, I’ve watched our property taxes essentially double,” Smith said. “And I was curious, why? Why are they going up so much?”

In his address, Smith noted that the University of Virginia does not pay real property taxes to Albemarle due to state code. He also pointed out the county’s budget has increased from nearly $352 million in FY2015 to $642 million in the draft FY2026 budget.

Smith’s background is in enterprise software sales and he said he has worked for companies with thousands of employees and he has skills that would translate to being on the Board.

“I’m trained to listen,” Smith said. “One of the refrains that I heard very frequently as I talk about people on the county Board is that they don’t listen. I’m specifically trained to listen. I’m trained to solve problems. I’m trained to work with large teams in complex environments. I think that’s a perfect fit for getting a seat at the table and helping with conversation.”

Smith and his wife moved to Albemarle County five years ago and last year they volunteered as election officials. He also called for the county to do “smart development” on U.S. 29 where there are currently empty shopping centers. These centers are within the footprint of the Rio / 29 Form-Based zoning code.

Smith’s campaign website can be found here.

Supervisor Jim Andrews was elected in 2021 and faced no opposition on the ballot. Fred Missel announced his campaign for the seat in February. He is the director of design and development for the University of Virginia Foundation.

Two Democrats are facing off in the Jack Jouett District to replace Diantha McKeel. McKeel announced in late January she would not seek a new term.

Sally Duncan announced her candidacy at the county office building on February 26 on a day when the University of Virginia was under lockdown. Duncan is a history teacher.

David Shreve announced his candidacy in February at a gathering of local Democrats. He slightly outraised Duncan in the first campaign finance reporting period for the year.

There is at least one campaign forum scheduled for this race. The Free Enterprise Forum will hold an event at Journey Middle School on May 21. This event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and topics to be discussed will include affordable housing, economic vitality, infrastructure, regulations, and taxation.

“Contested elections make better public officials”, said Free Enterprise Forum President Neil Williamson in an information release.

Incumbent Ned Gallaway is seeking a third term for the Rio District seat. So far he has no opposition. He won that race in 2017 and 2021 without any opposition on the ballot.

McKeel had an opponent in 2013 but had no opponent in 2017 or 2021.

Nancy Muir, the chair of the Albemarle Republican Party, said she is still working to identify candidates to make challenges this year.

“We are entertaining another Supervisor candidate right now,” Muir said but did not identify which district. “We’re always looking for both seats. We have until June 17.”

That’s the date of the party primaries and the final day for independents to qualify for the ballot.

Before you go: This story was originally sent out in the April 29, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. This is a production of a Town Crier, as opposed to Town Criers, so it takes a bit to get to everything. If you want to increase the chance of plurality, support the info!