Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
An incumbent and a newcomer are poised to win seats on the James City County Board of Supervisors. With results still unofficial Tuesday night, Democratic incumbent Jim Icenhour had 58.55% of the vote to Republican challenger John Slokovitz’s 40.90% in the Jamestown District. Absentee and provisional ballots must still be tallied, and results are not considered final until certified by the state Department of Elections. Icenhour, a retired Air Force pilot and airline captain, has served on the board from 2006 to 2013 and from 2018 to now. Despite Slokovitz focusing on the proposed government center in his campaign, Icenhour said he found it was an issue only with a “very small minority” of voters based on speaking door-to-door with residents. He noted the issue of misinformation being shared on social media. “One of the biggest problems that voters are going to have, and politicians will have too, is trying to make sure that we have a better avenue of communication between each other so that we get good information out to our citizens and that they get what they need,” Icenhour said. Icenhour, who currently serves as the board’s chair, also said he is proud of settling the joint school contract to provide a stable funding mechanism for the Williamsburg-James City County school division. Slokovitz, who owns a plumbing business, said Tuesday that he was “really surprised” by the results. He said that regardless of the doors that he knocked on, residents agreed with his campaign’s direction for the county. He said he felt worse for his core supporters who believed in where they wanted to take the county. Slokovitz, stressing how thankful he was for his supporters, said his campaign was not just about trying to win, but also about transparency, citizen awareness and fiscal responsibility. He said the campaign started some great conversations and he hopes it won’t be the end. “I hope that not being successful doesn’t thwart people’s feelings for what they want James City County to look like in the future,” Slokovitz said. “I hope that I am wrong in what I think the path that James City County is going toward. I hope I am wrong.” In the Powhatan District, Republican candidate Tracy Wainwright held an easy lead over Democrat Ti’Juana Gholson Tuesday night, with 58.46% of the vote to Gholson’s 40.94%. Michael Hipple did not run for reelection. Wainwright, an author, speaker and editor, said she was very grateful and looking forward to serving the Powhatan District. She said her main goals are making sure that citizens’ tax dollars are used wisely while not increasing their tax burden. She also noted her support for small businesses to succeed and for maintaining the county’s unique character as it continues to grow. “It has been a huge blessing to have people who believed in me and supported me, not just with their words, but also in very tangible assistance,” Wainwright said. “I could not be looking forward to serving on the Board of Supervisors without them.” James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com
