Realtors group shifts its support to Thomas for county supervisor

The Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors has endorsed Republican Rodney Thomas in his campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat David L. Slutzky in the race for the Rio seat on the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors.

CAAR has also indicated it will make campaign contributions to Republican Duane Snow, who is running for the Samuel Miller District seat, as well as to City Council candidates Dave Norris and Kristin Szakos, both Democrats.

In 2005, the association endorsed Slutzky in his race against Republican Gary Grant.

“This time around it’s more of a case that Mr. Thomas is better aligned with some principles that are important to CAAR,” said the organization’s president-elect, Greg Slater. Specifically, Slater said Thomas is a supporter of low real estate taxes, as well as property rights.

Snow is running to fill the seat being vacated by the retiring Sally H. Thomas. Also on the ballot are Democrat Madison Cummings and independent John Lowry.

“CAAR believes Mr. Snow’s longtime community presence and solid support of business makes him an ideal candidate for supervisor,” CAAR officials wrote in a news release.

The endorsement and the decisions on financial support are the result of interviews with all the candidates seeking election to both bodies. All will receive financial support from the Realtors Political Action Committee of Virginia.

“It’s quite an extensive process that involves candidate interviews and recommendations to our board,” Slater said. “We think the political process is an important one and we encourage our members to get involved.”

Thomas will receive $10,000, Snow will receive $2,500 and Norris will receive $1,500. Szakos was offered $1,000 but is declining all money from political action committees.

“I have a policy from when I first started this campaign not to accept PAC money,” Szakos said. “I’m pleased to have their moral support.”

Charlottesville Tomorrow is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization covering land-use and transportation issues in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.