Citing Opposition to Attack on Samuels Library Tony Carter Announces Run for His Old Happy Creek Supervisors Seat

On Thursday, April 17, former Happy Creek District Supervisor Tony Carter issued a press release announcing his run for his former Happy Creek District county supervisors seat. Readers may recall that Carter chose not to run for re-election in November 2021, after five, four-year terms as the Happy Creek District representative on the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

His release notes that prior to his County service Carter was a two-term Front Royal Town Councilman, beginning in 1994, serving those two terms as the town council vice-mayor. Combined that is 28 years of elected public service to his community.

Carter verified that having dropped out of the political scene four years ago he had let his longtime membership in the WC Republican Committee lapse. Despite that lapse Carter indicated he would seek the committee’s nomination for the Happy Creek District seat.

Seeking a pro-library supervisor majority

In announcing his comeback into local politics with a goal of returning to municipal government, Carter cited strong opposition to the current 4-1 board of supervisor majority’s attack on Samuels Public Library:

“In 2021, after having served almost 28 years in public office, I felt it was time to step aside and pass the baton to others. However, recently, I, like so many other citizens, home schoolers, and children across our community who depend on the library, have witnessed the attempted closure of Samuels Public Library.

Tony Carter speaking to the current BOS on library-related and fiscal responsibility issues in early November of last year. Royal Examiner File Photos

“The tremendous waste of time, money, and energy is disheartening to say the least, especially when there are so many other pressing issues that need to be addressed by our county leadership.

“Their current actions beg the question, what or who is next? The Public Schools? The Parks Department? More frequent assessments increasing folks’ taxes? I just can’t stand by and watch the many accomplishments achieved over the last 28 years erased on a whim by the current board majority, who are inexperienced, ill-informed, and ideologically driven. For that reason, among others, I have decided to come out of retirement to run for the WC Board of Supervisors and give the citizens of Happy Creek a clear choice during the upcoming primary.”

Carter cited a potential ally in this pro-Samuels Library effort, announced Fork District candidate Hugh Henry, who during his announced run made clear his unhappiness with those in and out of the Republican Committee’s attacks on Samuels Library. If both Carter and Henry are elected in November, in conjunction with incumbent South River District Supervisor Cheryl Cullers they would create a 3-2 pro-Samuels Library majority on the Warren County Board of Supervisors.

“I promise, if elected, to work hard to restore Samuels Public Library to its rightful place in our community. In accomplishing this goal, I hope to work with Fork District candidate Hugh Henry and current Supervisor Cheryl Cullers. Together, we can rebuild faith in our local government by restoring the best public library in Virginia to our residents.”

In his release, Carter predicted a hard political pushback due to his stance on Samuels Public Library. “By announcing my candidacy, I fully expect that those who seek to destroy Samuels Public Library, will engage in unfounded personal attacks, and half-truths against me and my family. Regardless of any attacks lodged against me for standing up for Samuels Public Library and the citizens of the Happy Creek District, I will not be distracted nor deterred from my mission of bringing transparency and common sense back to the Warren County Board of Supervisors so that our citizens are proud to say that Warren County is a great place to live, work, and play.”

Committee Competition

One Warren County Republican Committee member, Cam Williams has announced a bid for the committee’s nomination for the Happy Creek District seat currently occupied by current board Chairman Jerome “Jay” Butler. While still on the fence, former committee member Butler appears to be leaning toward not running for re-election this year as the end of his first term approaches.

To our knowledge just turned 20-year-old Christendom College student Cam Williams has not yet publicly stated a position on the Samuels Library issue.

Retired Happy Creek District Supervisor Tony F. Carter Announces His Candidacy for Republican Nomination to His Former Seat on WC Board of Supervisors