The political rumor mill in Prince William County is churning now that the county chairman has been nominated to head the U.S. Maritime Administration.
The White House announced Tuesday night that Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sean Connaughton was selected as the next administrator for the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Connaughton said he would resign when he had been confirmed by the Senate, which has yet to schedule hearings. Once he resigns, a special election will be held to fill his current position.
“My impression is there are going to be a lot of people coming out of the woodwork,” said Connaughton, who added he was “going to continue doing his job as if nothing different was occurring.”
Republican Occoquan District Supervisor Corey Stewart announced his candidacy. Supervisors Maureen Caddigan, R-Dumfries, and Martin Nohe, R-Coles, are two other names being tossed around for the position.
“[Confirmation] could take weeks or it could take a year. Until we have a better sense of that, [announcing an intention to run for the job] is not the right thing to do,” said Nohe, who added the position is something he would “take a look at.”
Caddigan’s diplomacy on the board and position as vice chair could help her win the spot, said Steve Nelson, vice chair of government relations with the Prince William County Greater Manassas Chamber.
Democrats could also have a chance to win the seat back from the only Republican to hold the position since 1870, said Vic Bras, who heads the Prince William County Democratic Committee.
The area’s new residents, Bras said, “aren’t entrenched in the old institutions.” The gridlock and higher tax burdens were something the current administration could see coming, but their planning for it was a “poor execution of their responsibilities” — pushing more support toward Democrats.
Sean Connaughton
» 1983 graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
» 1998 graduate of the U.S. Naval War College
» Holds law degree from George Mason University
» Holds master’s degree from Georgetown University
» Served three years in Coast Guard
» Served 18 years in Naval Reserve, retired as commander in 2006
» First elected as chairman in 1999
cgoodman@dcexaminer.com
