Updated 11 a.m. – Less than two months after announcing she would not seek another term, Stafford County Supervisor Monica Gary has reversed her decision. She will run for re-election as an independent candidate.
Gary, who represents the Aquia District on the Board of Supervisors, posted on Facebook on February 20, 2025, citing encouragement from her community and family as the driving force behind her change of heart.
"After much thought and encouragement from my community and family, I have decided to run for re-election to the Board of Supervisors. While I had previously announced that I would not seek another term, significant changes in my life and the overwhelming support from residents have made it clear that my work is not yet done," Gary wrote.
According to multiple sources, Hank Scharpenberg is expected to file his candidacy for the GOP seat. Sharpsburg has a background in military service and local civic engagement. A former U.S. Army armor battalion commander, he has dedicated over 17 years to the Stafford Regional Airport Authority, including serving as its chairman. During his tenure, Scharpenberg was instrumental in advocating for a 1,000-foot extension of the airport's runway, a project aimed at enhancing the airport's capacity and safety.
In addition to his work with the airport, Scharpenberg chaired the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) under the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. In August 2022, the Stafford Board of Supervisors removed him from this position following his proposal for an outer connector road to bypass Fredericksburg. This proposal, not included in the county's long-range transportation plans, led to disagreements with county officials.