Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
JAMES CITY — Challenger Ty Hodges has won the race for the Jamestown District seat on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board, beating incumbent Sarah Ortego by 33 votes. Hodges received 3,871 votes to Ortego’s 3,838, according to the state Department of Elections. All of the votes had been counted by Wednesday. “This win is a testament of what can happen when you speak genuinely and passionately about the things that matter — our students, our teachers, and protecting the institution of public schools,” Hodges wrote on his Facebook campaign page. “Together, all of us came together to put together a campaign that focused on the right things. And today — finally — we get to celebrate our win!” Hodges, a 34-year-old political newcomer, called the race a “roller-coaster.” He was ahead of Ortego by 15 votes on Election Day, later picking up two more. By the time all the votes, including provisional and mail-ins, he was ahead 33 votes. “I am just incredibly thankful that the Jamestown District put their trust and their faith in me to be able to help guide the futures of our students, our schools,” Hodges said Wednesday. “That we can make things right for our teachers and really just help our schools become the best version of themselves, which I truly believe that we can do.” A multimedia specialist and former sports reporter for WY Daily, Hodges said he is excited to get to work. Among his goals, he said he wants to include teachers in having more of a say on school issues, such as the school budget. Another goal is establishing an antibullying and harassment committee, noting he heard enough “horror stories” to look into the issue. He also said he’s excited to start visiting schools to understand how things are inside versus “how they look on the outside,” he said. Ortego, who has been on the school board since 2021 and currently serves as its chair, has not responded to requests for comment. She had been endorsed by former school superintendent Olwen E. Herron and former school board members D. Greg Dowell Jr. and Kyra Cook. In the other James City County races, Democratic incumbent Jim Icenhour beat Republican challenger John Slokovitz for the Jamestown District seat on the Board of Supervisors, with a final tally of 4,703 votes to Slokovitz’s 3,270. For the Powhatan District seat, Republican candidate Tracy Wainwright won 4,405 votes to Democratic challenger Ti’Juana Gholson’s 3,099. Wainwright will replace Michael Hipple on the board; Hipple did not run for reelection. Kimberley Hundley ran unopposed for the Powhatan District seat on the WJCC School Board, earning 6,429 votes. There were 242 write-in votes. James City County had a voter turnout of 65%, with 42,838 ballots cast out of 66,100 registered voters, according to the state elections board. Overall, county voters favored Democratic candidates in the state races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as for House of Delegates districts 69 and 71. James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com
