Hugh Henry Talks Fork District Race, Party Rifts, Library, Audits, and Data Centers

Hugh Henry stopped by the Royal Examiner studio to talk about his bid for the Warren County Board of Supervisors from the Fork District. He won the Republican primary and is currently unopposed on the November ballot, but he stressed that an uncontested race isn’t the same as a win. “There’s still always a chance of a write-in,” he said. “I still need everybody’s support.”

Henry brought a sample ballot and said he hopes local Republicans will turn out for statewide races as well. He criticized the county GOP committee for “not supporting our state candidates,” while spending “a lot” of energy on school board fights. “I don’t want Virginia to be… California 2.0,” he said, urging stronger turnout from rural red areas.

Inside the county, Henry said party support has been inconsistent. He noted he received the committee’s checkmark for Board of Supervisors, but said Happy Creek incumbent Tony Carter, who also won the Republican primary, did not. “He won a fair election, and I think the committee should stand behind that,” Henry said.

On school board races—nonpartisan by law—Henry said he personally supports George Cline in Fork, citing construction experience he believes is needed for building maintenance and trades programs. In Happy Creek, he said he would support Sarah Jones, pointing to her human resources background and children in public schools. “You need some diversity” of expertise on the board, he said.

Henry also addressed the library funding fight, saying the county should find middle ground to restore stability and preserve state grants. “The money’s going to go somewhere,” he said of state library funding tied to local support. “I’d really like to have a plan together… what’s the number, what’s the oversight… to get a library back on track for the county.”

He also pressed for financial basics at the county level. “We still don’t have last year’s budget reconciled,” he said, arguing the board can’t set sound rates without accurate, final numbers. He wants clearer assessment practices and said seniors need protection if taxes ever rise. “It’d be a shame to have a house paid for and not be able to afford to pay the taxes on it.”

On the hot topic of data centers, Henry said Warren County lacks the infrastructure for mega-projects but opposes blanket bans or partisan litmus tests. “I don’t like the idea of the Republican committee being able to strong-arm a candidate and how they’re supposed to vote,” he said. He favors a case-by-case review via conditional permits rather than “by right” zoning, noting that the technology is evolving. “Who’s to say in five years… they’re not a fourth of the size and they don’t use any water?”

Henry also addressed the vacant Fork District board seat created by a recent resignation. He asked to be appointed to fill the remainder of the term, arguing it would speed his learning curve if he won in November. “One of four districts doesn’t have any representation right now,” he said. He added that if the board deadlocks past the state deadline, the circuit court can appoint. “Why not just go ahead and appoint the candidate most likely to serve in January?” he asked.

Throughout the conversation, Henry returned to a theme of lowering the temperature. “You’ve got two extreme views and no middle ground,” he said of several county debates. “In order to govern, you have to come to the middle.” He said he wants to “put some of this division to rest and get us back together.”

Early voting begins Friday, September 19, 2025. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. “Get your voice heard, get out and vote,” Henry said.