VA County's First African American Supervisor Takes Oath

SPOTSYLVANIA, VA — Deborah Frazier made history this week when she became the first African American to be sworn into office on the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors. Frazier, who will represent the county's Salem District, was sworn in on Tuesday, Dec. 17 in Historic Spotsylvania Courthouse by Circuit Court Judge Ricardo Rigaul.

The judge also administered the oath of office to new board member Barry Jett, representing the Livingston district, as well as current members Tim McLaughlin (Chancellor District) and David Ross (Courtland District) who won reelection in November.

"I realize this dream wasn't just mine and I can’t do it alone, but I stand on the shoulders of people who came before me — who fought for democracy, who fought for diplomacy, who wanted to have equity in their community, it feels as though I have been empowered," Frazier said Dec. 18 in a statement. "I don’t want to be self-serving. I want to serve my community. I want to listen to the community. I want to give them value, give them a voice."

Frazier and Jett will begin their first terms Jan. 1, 2020, while McLaughlin and Ross will begin serving their third terms on that date.

Frazier, who works as principal of Chancellor Middle School, defeated incumbent Paul Trampe, the current chairman of the board, to win the Salem District seat in November's election. The new chair and vice chair will be elected by the board at its first meeting of the new year on Jan. 13, 2020.

Spotsylvania Supervisors Chris Yakabouski (Battlefield District), Kevin Marshall (Berkeley District) and Gary Skinner (Lee Hill District) were not up for reelection.