Alex Beall
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) — c

Scott York (R-At Large) not only changed his mind about running, but also is switching back to being an independent candidate. He will be running for the chair against Republican Charlie King, Democrat Phyllis Randall and independent Tom Bellanca.

“The field of candidates is simply not qualified to lead the county in the capacity of chair,” York said in a statement. “I have taken a great deal of time to look at them. Allowing any of the current candidates to act in the capacity of chair would be irresponsible to the citizens of Loudoun.”

The problem: York received the Citizen of the Year award from the Chamber of Commerce and the Loudoun Times-Mirror, two organizations that do not endorse candidates.

He also received a resolution from the House of Delegates, led by Del. Randy Minchew, honoring his service upon his retirement.

“I said a number of very complimentary things that I still believe to be true about Chairman York last week, but I would not have asked the General Assembly to commend his tenure as chairman of the Board of Supervisors if I would’ve thought for a second that he was running again,” Minchew said.

York had told these groups multiple times he was not going to run. Had he announced his campaign before the ceremony, he would not have received any the honors.

“A lot of people relied upon his clear statement that he was not running again and now there are many disappointed people who have given this citation, this Citizen of the Year award or what have you, to find out he’s running as independent again,” Minchew said

Chamber of Commerce President Tony Howard, however, was less taken aback because of his time spent in Loudoun politics.

“I was only mildly surprised only because it was contrary to the information I’d received before, but I guess I’ve been around long enough to see everything and realize you probably shouldn’t be surprised by anything that occurs,” Howard said.

The Chamber of Commerce did not want to give the Citizen of the Year award to an active politician because its role is to provide information about, not an opinion on, the candidates.

“We don’t take any sides and we wouldn’t want anyone to make the mistake — because it would be a mistake — in viewing this award in saying, ‘This guy or that other person is the best candidate for any elected office,'” he continued. “So that’s the only potential downside.”

Howard said though he thinks the election is far enough away that this award won’t affect the outcome.

“He got a nice piece of hardware; hopefully it’ll go up on the shelf, some place of honor where he keeps his other awards and recognitions, but beyond that I don’t know that in terms of the campaign itself, it’s going to play much of a role,” he explained.

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