Lexington mayoral race
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| Mary Harvey (JESS RAMOS/Rockbridge Report) Click here for Harvey bio |
Mimi Elrod (JESS RAMOS/Rockbridge Report) Click here for Elrod bio |
For the first time in 20 years, Lexington has a contested mayor’s race and, for the first time in history, the city will have a woman as mayor.
Please check back later tonight for official election results.
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Mayor race promises several firsts
As the election enters its final hours, Lexington’s mayoral seat is still fair game for both candidates.
But whether voters choose Councilwoman Mimi Elrod or piano teacher Mary Harvey, in the end the city will have its first female mayor.
“[The outcome] will be a total surprise for me, either way it goes,” said Harvey.
“You never know how a race is going to be,” said Elrod. “People have never been quite involved in the same way as they are in this race.”
For Elrod, the race became more than what she anticipated when she announced her candidacy in January. Traditionally, local races are low-key and without yard signs and advertisements. Forums like the one sponsored by Lexington’s National Organization for Women last September are ordinarily enough for voters to hear the candidates’ views.
But this time, the race became more intense. Elrod did not originally plan to use yard signs. Recently, though, she modified old signs from her previous run, replacing “House of Delegates” with “for mayor.” She changed her mind about using signs after Harvey began canvassing and using yard signs of her own.
Because the mayoral race is nonpartisan, the Virginia Board of Elections
Web site listed both candidates as independents.
Even so, Harvey signs tended to appear in yards with signs for Republican presidential candidate John McCain. Elrod signs were in many yards next to signs for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and senatorial candidate Mark Warner.
Harvey, a proud independent, said the race was not partisan from her point of view.
“It remains to be seen,” said Harvey. “It’s just going to be an interesting day.”
Harvey had an interview with Dutch National Television in October for a special report on local elections in America. She said the Dutch network chose to interview her because she had no ties to any political party.
With no opinion polls in Lexington, signs became one way to predict the outcome. According to Elrod, people view the signs and automatically assume that party lines are already drawn.
Elrod may be an active Democrat, but she claimed her political beliefs do not interfere with her duties on City Council. In fact, Elrod said she could not distinguish the political leanings of her fellow council members.
“You don’t act like a Democrat or a Republican [on City Council],” Elrod said. “You just need to get the job done and take a practical approach.”
For both candidates, the race has been a memorable and learning experience.
“It’s been a real education for me,” said Harvey. Harvey said it had been a journey of self-discovery. Her most memorable moment came while reading a letter written by someone endorsing her. As she read the letter, for a second she could not believe the traits and accomplishments written matched the person holding the letter.
“Is that me? Is he talking about me?” asked Harvey. “It was a strange feeling to have someone encapsulate you.”
For Elrod, the race has been an opportunity to meet with others who would not necessarily share her views. She recently visited the Barger quarry in Rockbridge County and met with the owner, Chuck Barger.
“It did make an impression on me,” she said. “It was the kind of thing that led me to see the importance of sitting down with people that you won’t necessarily have the same opinion as.”
Elrod and Harvey each plans to remain civically involved if she loses. Elrod will continue to serve on City Council; Harvey plans to remain on the Planning Commission.
“If the residents of Lexington decide that the other person better fits the job, that’s okay,” Harvey said. “I’m still not unemployed.”
Though the race may be close, Harvey still believes anything can happen.
“I have no idea what to expect, which is kinda cool,” said Harvey. “It’s like Christmas.”
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Indira Somani
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Pamela Luecke
Reporting Supervisors:
Prof. Doug Cumming
Prof. Indira Somani
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd