Prince William County Elections 2011: County Chairman

Correction: An earlier version of this story had incorrect information about John Gray's media advertisements. Gray's advertisement about the stimulus funds was critical of supervisors' who he said contradicted themselves during the debate.

Prince William County Chairman

Incumbent: Corey Stewart (R)

Challenger: John Gray (I)

Challenger: Babur Lateef (D)

Some pundits still think County Chairman Corey Stewart has his eyes set on a U.S. Senate seat vacated by Democrat Jim Webb, but the field of candidates for that seat is filling up. Stewart has been at times a controversial chairman, especially when he was leading the charge to get the county's police force federal powers to detain illegal aliens.

Longtime CPA John Gray has challenged Stewart once before when they both sought the Occoquan District seat on the board of county supervisors. Since he announced, Gray has been a thorn to some supervisors, frequently paying for media ads, one of which is critical of the supervisors' "contradictions" during the debate.

Babur Lateef is a local eye doctor who has never campaigned for public office. He has been very active raising campaign funds, with more than $150,000 in the first quarter. Lateef, who has four children, said he wants to make sure the school system has the resources it needs to educate the county's youth. But his two opponents have criticized Lateef's financial planning because he foreclosed on his $1.2 million estate in 2010 under what both Gray and Stewart have said are very suspicious circumstances.

The last day to request a primary absentee ballot is Aug. 16 and the last day to drop it off is Aug. 20.

The election is Nov. 8.

Also read: Three-Way Race For County Chairman Heats Up