Janice Shanks announces independent candidacy for Clerk of the Court

Janice Butler Shanks

FRONT ROYAL, VA – Front Royal resident and current Clerk of Court Janice Butler Shanks announced today that she has filed as an independent candidate in this year’s November 5 election to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Daryl L. Funk who was appointed to the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court bench.

Shanks stated, “Let me be clear. When I first announced in March, I fully intended to abide by the Warren County Republican Committee’s request not to seek election as an independent had I lost the nomination. However, after my supporters and I witnessed the canvass election shenanigans led by a local Republican Executive Committee member, I cannot in good conscience just walk away from my community. Simply put, as someone who loves Warren County, I am placing my duty as a citizen above politics. Furthermore, after learning on last Thursday that the Special Grand Jury has been extended past the November election and after prayerful consideration with my family, I have decided that my experience serving as Clerk to the Special Grand Jury is necessary now more than ever to ensure that all wrongdoers are brought to justice and, equally important, that all innocent parties are exonerated.”

“Having worked in the Court System for the past 20 years and considering my experience in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, I am the person most capable in assisting the Special Grand Jury in their investigation and deliberations. I want to thank the Special Grand Jurors for their devotion to the fair and equal administration of justice and their endurance through the questioning of countless witnesses and the review of voluminous evidence produced as a result of their investigation, which is far from over. My office has facilitated this process in coordination with and at the direction of the Special Grand Jury and Judge Athey.”

Shanks added, “With the departure of Presiding Judge Clifford L. Athey, Jr., to the Court of Appeals and Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Madden to the Circuit Court bench, it is imperative that a steady hand remain in place to ensure that the citizens of Warren County have confidence in the conclusions to be contained in the Final Report of the Special Grand Jury. Currently, with Judge Athey’s leadership, I believe that our citizens trust the diligent, fair, impartial and methodical process which the citizen members of the Special Grand Jury have employed. As the custodian of the Special Grand Jury evidence, I know that any perceived conflicts which a new Clerk of Court might bring to the job or any dramatic changes in the makeup of the Clerk’s Office staff would call into question the level of trust we have worked so hard to maintain.”

“This is why I have decided to run to remain Clerk of Court so that the citizens of Warren County will have an opportunity this November to vote to stay the course with the Special Grand Jury. At this crucial time, which is unprecedented in our history, there is no place in our Clerk’s Office for untested leadership or on-the-job training at the top position. I remain hopeful that at the end of the process we have put in place, our community can put this dark chapter behind us and look forward to a future of trust and prosperity again.”

Janice Butler Shanks was born and raised in Warren County and graduated from Warren County High School (Class of 1976 – The Great Bicentennial Class!). She and her beloved late husband, Jim “Jimbo” Butler, owned and operated Jimbo’s Restaurant and the Howard Johnsons while raising three children (Stacy Butler Clater, who resides in Winchester with her husband Troy Clater, and their 4 children and two grandchildren; Carrie Butler Burke, who resides in Stephens City with her husband Richard Burke and their three children; and Kristie Butler Shutts, who resides in Stephens City with her husband Chris Shutts and their four children). In 2008, Janice married Page County attorney and former Virginia State Bar President George Warren Shanks, Esq., who has 6 children, 4 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Janice and George attend First Baptist Church of Front Royal. They are active in numerous charitable and civic groups in Warren County.