Loudoun County Republican voters re-elected supervisors on both sides of the growth issue and nominated a new choice over longtime Sheriff Stephen O. Simpson.
The lively convention gave the party a chance to endorse its full slate of six supervisors for re-election and make a statement on illegal immigration.
Sheriff nominee Greg Ahlemann rode voter dissatisfaction with federal enforcement of illegal immigration laws to defeat Simpson.
“We’re going to make a big difference in the community and send a message that the federal immigration laws in Loudoun County are going to be enforced,” Ahlemann said.
Simpson now will run for a fourth term as an Independent, setting up a rematch for the general election.
Some of the 1,386 delegates voiced concern over the county’s rapid population boom, crowding schools and congested roads, while also endorsing some of the lawmakers who helped growth blossom.
Supervisors Eugene Delguadio and Steve Snow defeated candidates running on slower-growth platforms, and Supervisor Lori Waters withstood a challenge based partly on her votes against developments.
“This race was about growth, and the elections will show which way the voters are leaning,” local history teacher William Wilkin said.
The winners join their three fellow Republican incumbents who faced no primary opposition. Democrats and Independents are expected to mount a challenge for control of the county leadership in the general election.
