Purcellville, VA – In anticipation of the upcoming Virginia Delegate elections, the Purcellville News proactively contacted both candidates for House District 30, to gather their insights on critical issues impacting the Town of Purcellville. We hope this helps better inform Town of Purcellville voters as we approach Election Day.

Delegates play an important role in shaping Virginia’s future – writing and voting on state laws, guiding the budget, and standing up for the needs of their communities. This fall’s election will decide who represents residents in the Virginia House of Delegates, where local voices help shape statewide decisions. Candidates are competing for the 30th House District seat, which includes the Town of Purcellville, western Loudoun and portions of Fauquier county — areas that reflect the best of Virginia’s suburban energy and rural charm.

Incumbent Geary Higgins (R) and Democratic nominee John McAuliff (D) are competing to represent residents of these areas. As election day approaches, both candidates have shared their viewpoints on pressing issues affecting the Town of Purcellville, offering voters valuable insights into their plans and priorities for the district.

Candidates:
– Geary Higgins: Delegate Geary Higgins has served the majority of the 30th House District for 14 years across the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, School Board, and House of Delegates. He and his wife Gail reside just outside the Village of Waterford and have raised three daughters, all of whom graduated from Loudoun Valley High School. He is most proud of his ongoing work to preserve the beauty and rural way of life in Western Loudoun and Northern Fauquier.

– John McAuliff: John McAuliff, a University of Richmond alumnus, transformed his family home into Chilton House Suites, contributing to the local economy. During the pandemic, he actively participated in economic development initiatives and volunteered with the Loudoun Medical Reserve Corps. His extensive experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to Delegate David Reid and roles in the Department of Agriculture and the President’s Office of Clean Energy. McAuliff advocates for the prosperity of Main Street, supports tax credits for entrepreneurs, advocates for the protection of farmland from development, aims to reduce utility costs, expands mental healthcare access, and addresses student debt issues.

Questions and Responses:  
1. Conflicts of Interest and Governance:
   – Question: If elected, would you support petitioning the Virginia Attorney General to prohibit municipal employees from serving in an elected role within the same municipality that employs them?
– Geary Higgins: “Unfortunately, the Attorney General does not have the power to make or change laws, so unless there was a change to code, an AG opinion would only reinforce current law (15.2), which does not contain a prohibition against municipal employees from serving in elected office in the locality that employs them. However, individual municipalities may impose such restrictions through local charters or ordinances. For example, the Town of Wise prohibits municipal employees from serving in an elected role within the same municipality that employs them. This restriction is in the town’s charter, which states that eligibility for council or mayor requires the candidate to be a qualified voter who is ‘not an employee of the Town.’ Individual municipal charters, granted or amended by the General Assembly, can include tailored eligibility rules. I would be happy to work with the Town to strengthen their charter should they want to.”
– John McAuliff: “Absolutely.”
2. Economic Development and Main Street Revitalization:
   – Question: As Purcellville’s delegate, how would you support a Main Street initiative to ensure that businesses in the historic downtown area continue to thrive?
– Geary Higgins: “Unfortunately, the Town rescinded its formal support for the Purcellville Main Street initiative, effectively removing eligibility for designated state grants. I have asked that this decision be reversed and hope to find a solution here. In the meantime, I will support assisting PVMS at the state level to pursue grants from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) by partnering with an eligible government entity, such as Loudoun County. Potential funding includes Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF), and Virginia Housing Community Impact Grants, among others. My opponent wants to make an issue out of a $150 contribution that the Mayor made online to my campaign. I’d like to let my opponent know that I have already donated more than that to the Purcellville Main Street initiative, so the baseless accusations are truly nonsensical.”
– John McAuliff: “As a small business owner myself, it will be a priority in my first years to ensure Purcellville’s Main Street program is successful. I was the Chairman of Warrenton’s Main Street Association during the pandemic. When I took over, it was on the verge of shuttering. I took a leave from work to run it full time until we could hire an Executive Director, who still serves in that role. I created a town-wide gift card, expanded the farmers market, and accessed key state grant funding for events and tourism promotion. I believe it is essential that Purcellville does the same, and I plan on taking an active role in helping build the program, and creating similar programming to what we did in Warrenton. I’d be happy to volunteer at events, speak on behalf of the program to the town council, join the board if asked, and help the program access state funding. Beyond that, I would propose a tax credit for small business owners to ensure that when one business closes, another is ready to fill their spot and maintain a thriving community in downtown Purcellville.”
3. Public Safety and Law Enforcement:
   – Question: The current Town Council majority voted to abolish the Purcellville Police Department. Do you believe maintaining a town police department is important to a municipality’s character and safety?
– Geary Higgins: “I absolutely and unequivocally support the Purcellville Police Department and its continued existence and funding. I have always been a supporter of all law enforcement. That’s why I have been endorsed by every single law enforcement agency and organization that makes endorsements. My opponent could not find one member of local law enforcement to support him, so he filmed his bogus attack ad with a failed Democrat politician from Virginia Beach. Purcellville has been named one of the safest places to live in Virginia, and that is because of the fine work of Purcellville’s Police Department. Local law enforcement has always been a part of Purcellville—since the first action the Town took after its incorporation in 1908. Just recently I spoke with Interim Chief Lombrana and affirmed my support for her, as it is my hope that she is made the permanent Chief.”
– John McAuliff: “I have attended several town council meetings this year to listen and learn from Purcellville residents. I’ve knocked over a thousand doors, and I have asked folks what they need, and what they think. So yes, I believe the community presence of and relationship with the Purcellville Police Department is critical to the character of the town. I will always support funding our law enforcement, and ensuring they have the tools to succeed. I’ve also asked my opponent to refund the campaign contribution he received from Mayor Bertaut after he took the vote to defund the department – but as yet he has not.”
4. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure:
   – Question: If elected, what initiatives would you propose to assist municipalities like Purcellville in meeting obligations for water and wastewater systems?
– Geary Higgins: “One very practical solution would be to have Loudoun Water take over and run Purcellville’s Water and Wastewater System. I was able to successfully achieve this solution for the water and wastewater system in Raspberry Falls, Selma Estates, and Beacon Hill Estates. I would recommend this as a starting point as Loudoun Water is reviewing the feasibility of this option for Purcellville. I am also happy to help facilitate any state grants should they become available. My opponent will probably promise the world here, but I will never lie to my constituents. Democrat leadership has a strong anti-Northern Virginia prejudice regardless of which party is asking for money. While I won’t promise a state bailout that won’t come, what I can promise is my full efforts in facilitating a solution with Loudoun Water here in the county, should the Town want my help.”
– John McAuliff: “In Richmond, I would propose a water management area for Western Loudoun and Northern Fauquier to help regulate growth and new developments in western Loudoun. We need to take steps to handle the current water crisis on our hands before it grows out of control. For Purcellville, I’d seek grant funding to assist with new water infrastructure.”
5. Transportation and Traffic Management:
   – Question: With much of Purcellville’s congestion stemming from commuter and regional travel, how could the Commonwealth assist in updating the town’s transportation plan?
– Geary Higgins: “As Purcellville’s Delegate and former Loudoun County Supervisor for the Catoctin District, I can tell you that several resources exist through the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for Purcellville. Programs exist for funding, technical assistance, and planning support to localities like the Town of Purcellville for developing and implementing transportation plans. Because Purcellville is currently reviewing its Strategic Plan, this is an ideal opportunity to leverage state resources for updates and for multimodal enhancements such as pedestrian/bike facilities. If the Town isn’t doing this already, I strongly encourage engagement with the VDOT Local Assistance Division (localassistance@vdot.virginia.gov (mailto:localassistance@vdot.virginia.gov)) and NVTA (info@thenovaauthority.org (mailto:info@thenovaauthority.org)). These resources can accelerate Purcellville’s plan update while addressing growth pressures from the DC metro. My office is available to assist if the Council wishes.”
– John McAuliff: “If elected, I would help town officials communicate with and get what they need from VDOT to ensure that Purcellville can get funding for needed infrastructure upgrades and traffic calming measures.”

We thank both candidates for their time and willingness to share their views on these important issues. Voters are encouraged to consider their responses as they prepare to vote in the upcoming election.