Voters will elect three at-large town council members from five candidates, listed below in ballot order. Candidates in Blacksburg run as independents.
Candidate Joel L. Goodhart did not respond to requests to answer questions for this guide.
Susan G. Anderson
Age: 67
Family: Married
Job: Taught mathematics at Virginia Tech for 40 years before retiring in 2023 as Senior Instructor Emerita
Prior elected office: Blacksburg Town Council (Five terms, four as vice mayor)
Other public service: President of the Board of Directors of the Women’s Resource Center of the New River Valley; vice chair of the New River Valley Regional Commission; board of directors of the Community Health Center of the New River Valley; board of directors of the Blacksburg Museum and Cultural Foundation; chair of the Downtown Revitalization Committee; member of Blacksburg’s Housing and Community Development Advisory Board; member of the Town’s Corridor Committee; member of the Virginia NOW PAC; leadership team of Our Bodies Our Choice; local Clothesline Project coordinator, raising awareness of gender-based and sexual violence; prior to retiring, was a Virginia Tech faculty senator for 18 years and was faculty advisor to the VT student organization United Feminist Movement for 30 years
Education: Bachelor of science from Mary Washington College, majoring in mathematics and classical civilization; master of science in mathematics from Virginia Tech; completed the Virginia Certified Planning Commissioners’ Program in 2012
Q&A quote: “My top priority is creating diverse housing options while protecting the integrity of neighborhoods. To attract and support working families, young professionals, retirees, and students, Blacksburg needs housing appropriate for diverse income levels and lifestyles. A housing trust fund, a community land trust, and allowing attached and detached accessory apartments have been implemented during my watch. Protecting our neighborhoods from encroachment and decay is vital.
“Another priority is wise management of growth and development to ensure economic viability and community livability. Development and redevelopment should be guided by our shared community values and managed by our Comprehensive Plan’s vision. Clustering and infill will preserve green space. Public and alternative transportation are key components of sustainable growth.
“The continued revitalization of Downtown as a pedestrian friendly, vibrant retail and arts center is also a key priority. A thriving town core is essential to Blacksburg’s health and character.
“Additional priorities include:
“Pursuing more recreational opportunities for residents of all ages
“Enhancing collaborative relationships with Virginia Tech, Montgomery County, and other localities in the New River Valley
“Restoring people’s faith in government and in democracy by ensuring openness in government and encouraging citizen participation.”
James D. Harder
Age: 43
Family: Two children
Job: Recently left a position at Virginia Tech managing GO Virginia economic development grants in the Department of Computer Science, led the university’s strategic planning process during that time
Prior elected office: None, but ran for House of Delegates in 2013
Other public service: Board member of the Community Foundation of the NRV, previously served on the Virginia Board of Forestry, previously worked on the legislative staff of Rep. Rick Boucher
Education: Ph.D. in public administration and policy from Virginia Tech; MPA and undergraduate in political science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington
Q&A quote: “My top priorities are addressing the housing crisis and stimulating local economic development.
“First and foremost, we need to do more to make housing in Blacksburg attainable for the people who live and work here. I want to pursue smart growth strategies that align with the town’s comprehensive plan while removing unnecessary barriers that slow or discourage new housing projects. Our approval process has become overly restrictive and unpredictable, which deters the very developments we need. By creating clearer, more streamlined processes—and by proactively identifying the types of housing our community needs—we can encourage more projects that make it possible for families to live and thrive in Blacksburg.
“I’m also committed to fostering local business growth. In the past five years, I’ve managed GO Virginia–funded economic development grants in Virginia Tech’s Department of Computer Science. In our most recent grant, a startup incubator called cs/root helped launch nine early-stage companies in Blacksburg. As a council member, I would champion policies and partnerships—like tax abatements, rent subsidies, and collaborations with Virginia Tech entrepreneurs—to reduce startup costs for locally owned businesses. I also want to create incubator and “pop-up” spaces that use underutilized downtown storefronts for short-term, low-rent ventures, especially student- or alumni-founded businesses.”
Darryl R. Campbell
Age: 35
Family: Mom in New Jersey, dad in Florida and sister in Oregon
Job: Senior Contract Specialist on the contracts team in the Office of Sponsored Programs at Virginia Tech
Prior elected office: N/A
Other public service: Chair of the Local Elections Committee for the United Campus Workers (UCW-VA); Steering Committee Member for the Virginia Tech Chapter of the UCW (UCW-VT); Social Committee for the Blacksburg Young Professionals; developed, received funding toad and initiated a Union Trades Workshop for high school students
Education: B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Tech; M.S. in Natural Resources with a certificate in Leadership for Global Sustainability from Virginia Tech
Q&A quote: “I’d like to find ways to make it easier for people to live and work here. We have about 15,000 people who commute into Blacksburg every day for work, and that’s because the costs are high. We need to identify models that have been successful in other towns and analyze what could work for Blacksburg.
“We also need to build community throughout Blacksburg so we can be more resilient when things get tough. By listening to the citizens and bringing forth their ideas and needs in their neighborhoods, we can build a Blacksburg that works for everyone.”
Lauren M. Colliver
Age: 48
Family: Married with four children
Job: Small business owner; state-wide campaign staffer
Prior elected office: Blacksburg Town Council (two terms)
Other public service: Represents Blacksburg on several regional and local boards, including the Montgomery County Economic Development Commission, the Montgomery County Tourism Board, the Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the New River Valley Agency on Aging Board; member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Connect, the local chapter of the American Business Women’s Association and the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center
Education: Bachelor in Biology from James Madison University; studied natural resource management at Arizona State University
Q&A quote: “I’ve built relationships across Virginia that benefit our town.
“Through my work as staff on a statewide political campaign, I’ve traveled across Virginia and built relationships with leaders, organizers, and changemakers in every region.
“These connections provide us with access to ideas, resources, and allies that we can rely on as we tackle challenges here in Blacksburg.
“I bring both local knowledge and a statewide perspective to every table I sit at.”
“To keep Blacksburg thriving, we must listen to residents, build a stronger and more resilient economy, and address our housing crisis head-on with smart, community-centered solutions.”
news@roanoke.com
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