Gainesville Supervisor To Resign Over Conflict Of Interest

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Gainesville Supervisor Pete Candland is resigning from his position on the Board of County Supervisors this week, he announced on Facebook on Saturday.

Candland said he decided to resign after Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth recommended that he not vote on the county's comprehensive plan due to conflicts of interests rooted in his support for data centers.

"According to the opinion of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, I cannot participate in any Comprehensive Plan vote," Candland wrote. "In addition, it also states that I cannot participate in any vote on any data centers in Prince William County until the PW Digital Gateway rezoning is settled."

This is the second time that Candland asked for an opinion from the commonwealth's attorney regarding possible conflicts of interest. Initially, Candland's conflicts of interests were limited to a handful of issues on land-use cases.

"Although I do not agree with the entire opinion of Ms. Ashworth and believe I would be able to participate in these votes without prejudice, I must abide by her opinion as she is the duly elected chief law enforcement officer for Prince William County," Candland said. "With her new opinion, my ability to serve on the Board of County Supervisors has been greatly diminished."

Candland noted that his decision to resign was in the best interest of his constituents.

"I didn’t run for office to gain power or notoriety. I ran to make a difference and to improve the lives of my fellow citizens. I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do," Candland said. "But in the end, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s new opinion is so restrictive that it does not allow me to represent each one of you in the way that I feel would be effective."

Candland is one of hundreds of homeowners in western Prince William County who will sell their homes to make room for data centers in Prince William County's recently approved Digital Gateway.

In 2021, Candland joined his neighbors in filing a comprehensive plan amendement that would allow their property be rezoned to allow for data centers.

"Supervisor Candland and his wife were the last ones in their neighborhood to sign the CPA application,” a Candland spokesperson told Prince William Times in 2021. “Supervisor Candland has been very clear on his opposition to data centers in the rural crescent. He has voted several times to stop this process from continuing. Unfortunately, it seems evident that the majority of the board of county supervisors seems intent on allowing data centers in the rural crescent.”

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved the Digital Gateway by a 5-2 vote in November.