Pam Melampy, the third-place finisher in the Democratic primary race for clerk of Charlottesville Circuit Court, said Tuesday that she will take another shot at the office by running as an independent.
“I feel like I’m the person who would be good at that job,” Melampy said. “I have the right experience, and there are still plenty of people in Charlottesville who support me.”
City School Board member and assistant public defender Llezelle Dugger won an overwhelming victory at Saturday’s firehouse primary, earning 62 percent of the vote in a three-person race as she ousted longtime incumbent Paul C. Garrett.
Garrett earned about 26 percent, while Melampy had about 12 percent.
Garrett has served as clerk since 1981, but Dugger’s victory brought an end to his 30-year tenure.
Just three days after losing in the primary, Melampy successfully filed new campaign paperwork by the Tuesday deadline, meaning she’ll earn a one-on-one rematch with Dugger.
Dugger, who was poised to run unopposed in the Nov. 8 general election after defeating her only competition, said Melampy’s decision to take another run won’t affect her strategy to run a positive campaign.
“It doesn’t change our plan for the general election,” said Dugger.
Dugger said she was aware during the primary of the possibility that Melampy might drop her party affiliation to run as an independent.
“I don’t think it’s a shock to anybody at this point,” Dugger said.
Melampy is currently a deputy clerk in the Albemarle Circuit Court. She previously worked in the Charlottesville General District Court.
Melampy said she plans on making a public announcement about her independent bid later this week.
Jim Nix, the co-chair of the city Democratic Party, said that when Melampy entered the party primary, she signed a statement saying she would not support any candidate running against the Democratic nominee.
“She went back on her word,” Nix said. “But we’re not worried about it. It’s on her conscience.”
The party won’t fret over Melampy’s run, Nix said, because Dugger is a “great candidate.”
“She’ll win handily in the fall,” Nix said.
The clerk’s office is responsible for court dockets and the handling of wills, land transfers, legal guardianships, marriage licenses and other administrative matters.
The clerk is elected to an eight-year term.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement