Ergenbright, Curry among 8 candidates

By: Bob Stuart | News Virginian
Published: July 23, 2009

Former Augusta County Supervisor Charles Curry and former Staunton Commissioner of the Revenue Ray Ergenbright are among eight candidates who want the Republican nomination for the state House’s 20th District.

The filing deadline for candidates was Wednesday.

A candidate forum to decide the nomination will be held Monday night at Buffalo Gap High School.

After the forum, the 20th District Legislative Committee will meet to decide the nominee to replace retiring four-term incumbent Del. Chris Saxman, who dropped his re-election bid last week.

Curry is a retired James Madison University professor, a Mount Solon farmer and former Augusta supervisor.

Ergenbright is a former Staunton commissioner of the revenue, having served in that position for more than a decade and has been active in Republican politics locally for almost 20 years.

The other candidates include:

n Staunton City Councilman Dickie Bell, a veteran Augusta County teacher and coach and 13-year veteran of Staunton City Council. Bell is an advocate of lower taxes and limited government.

n John Beghtol, director of community services for Western State Hospital. Beghtol said he would make mental health a priority.

n Cliff Fretwell, a Staunton Republican activist and leader for more than 30 years. He once chaired the Staunton Republican Committee and is a member of the Staunton Kiwanis and Augusta County Board of Realtors.

n Charles Hawkins, of Staunton, a data architect with a Harrisonburg software company. He wants to advocate for controlling government spending, creating jobs and improving the quality of education.

n Christopher DeWald, of Staunton, a veteran and a contributor to local magazines and newspapers. He is vice chairman of the Crossroads to Brain Injury Recovery, headquartered at James Madison University.

n David Karaffa, a 25-year-old cardiac nurse at Augusta Health Care. He considers his priorities fiscal responsibility, real estate assessment reform, education, health care, government transparency, responsible energy policy and job creation.

James Madison University political scientist Bob Roberts said Curry brings name recognition and knowledge to the nomination battle.

“He is the best known of the group because of his various activities,” said Roberts, who added that Curry would have the time to devote to a legislative job because he is retired.