Monica Gary, who represents the Aquia District on the Stafford County Board of Supervisors, announced she will step down at the end of her term on December 31, 2025. Gary, elected in 2021, shared her decision in a statement posted to Facebook emphasizing family and faith as her priorities moving forward.
“As we enter the New Year and I spend time mindfully with my family, I’m reminded of how quickly life passes us by,” Gary wrote. She highlighted her family’s milestones, including her children’s graduations and her desire to be more present for her loved ones. “This is also a time for me to deepen my relationship with the Lord and prepare for whatever comes next.”
Gary expressed pride in her accomplishments on the board and encouraged others to serve their community. “The issues I ran on now have real, tangible solutions in place that will continue to move forward, even without my presence,” she said.
Her announcement comes amid lingering controversy following her censure by the Board of Supervisors in December 2024.
Censured Over Library Board Controversy
On December 17, 2024, the Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0, with one abstention, to censure Gary for her role in the removal of Mary Becelia from the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees earlier in the year. The board accused Gary of providing misleading information and violating its Code of Performance.
The censure resolution stated that Gary’s actions were “political in nature” and aimed at securing support from the Stafford Democratic Committee for her 2025 re-election bid. As part of the censure, Gary was removed from all board assignments and committee appointments.
Gary defended herself during the meeting, alleging retaliation by the board and accusing her colleagues of damaging public trust. “The public doesn’t trust because this board is not trustworthy and has shown themselves not to be so,” she said.
Community members rallied behind Becelia, a longtime volunteer in Stafford County, criticizing the board’s actions and calling for accountability. Becelia, accused of misconduct, described the ordeal as “reckless” and without evidence.
In a Facebook post, Gary admitted her role in Becelia’s removal, calling it a mistake and apologizing for the actions taken. Despite her attempts to reinstate Becelia, the board upheld its decision, citing misconduct and political motives tied to Gary’s re-election aspirations.
2023 Virginia State Senate Campaign
Before the censure and resignation announcement, Gary pursued higher office in 2023, running as an independent for Virginia’s 27th District State Senate seat. The district includes portions of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties and Fredericksburg.
The election results reflected a closely contested race dominated by the two major party candidates:
- Tara A. Durant (Republican): 34,180 votes (48.1%)
- Joel L. Griffin (Democrat): 32,927 votes (46.3%)
- Monica L. Gary (Independent): 3,282 votes (4.6%)
Monica Gary’s journey into public service is marked by a diverse and challenging background. Growing up in poverty, she became a mother at 17 and later endured an abusive relationship.
During this period, she worked as a dancer in strip clubs, a decision she attributes to the influence of her then-partner and the constraints of her circumstances.
Reflecting on this time, Gary told ABC News, “Because I grew up in purity culture, I thought, ‘Well, I’m broken, so no one’s ever gonna want me. I’ll just be with this guy who’s already awful to me because maybe he’ll want me.'”
Despite these hardships, she pursued higher education, earning a theology degree, and founded the New Wine Community Church in Stafford in 2019. Her experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to leadership and advocacy, emphasizing resilience and a commitment to community service.
The Stafford Board of County Supervisors will hold its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.
