Incumbent Hunter Mill District Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D) won her third term on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. According to the Virginia State Board of Elections unofficial results, Hudgins earned 12,807 votes, or 57.2 percent, to overcome Independent opponents Marie Huhtala, 22.5 percent, "Spike" Williams, 16.3 percent, and Geraldine Butkus, 3.9 percent.
"It was a really good affirmation of all the good work going on in Hunter Mill," said Hudgins after finding out the results. "Hunter Mill is one of the most desirable places to live and we want to maintain what we have." The voter turnout in Hunter Mill District on Nov. 6 was 29.6 percent, with 22,407 people casting their votes.
It was never a question during the election season whether Hunter Mill would continue to grow in terms of new residents and businesses moving into the district. The candidates in the Hunter Mill Board of Supervisors race had to convince the voters they were the right person to manage that job. Hudgins received criticism from both Huhtala and Williams for allowing plans for too much development to be considered in the district, especially at Lake Anne Village Center. Hudgins responded that such plans ever existed.
The candidates found their way to the 23 polling places in the district on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 6, hoping to convince the voters to check their name on the ballot. "I heard good things. I heard some concerns, but I always enjoy getting out there and talking to the people," said Hudgins in a late afternoon phone interview. She said she felt optimistic about winning the race, which she said she found to be much more negative than the previous two elections she participated in as a candidate. "That is not helpful, putting fear-type information out," she said. Hudgins added that she trusted the voters to be able to discern the truth from the non-truth.
If reelected, Hudgins said she would work hard to bring back positive energy in discussions about matters affecting the district. "I believe differences can be discussed," she said. "I would like to see us be creative in our discussions and our opportunities."
Williams said on Tuesday afternoon that he was feeling very optimistic. "I’ve been getting a lot of warm reception from the voters," he said. "Now it’s down to the mathematics of a three-way race." He said the campaign taught him that elected officials put forth a great deal of effort to get elected, and that he has found a new respect for them through the process. If elected, he said, he would immediately go to work to protect the services Fairfax County offers its legal residents. He does not want the county to become a sanctuary for illegal aliens coming from other counties, for example Prince William and Loudoun, where the localities have taken actions to protect their services.
Huhtala could not be reached for comment on Tuesday evening. Butkus also could not be reached for a comment.