Politics

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Patrick Harders, a longtime Manassas area resident and founder of a regional outdoor lighting company, is running for Gainesville District Supervisor—and he’s entering a race already stirred by internal Republican friction and calls for leadership rooted in integrity.

Harders announced his candidacy Thursday, casting himself as a conservative voice for responsible growth, fiscal accountability, and transparency. He says he’s stepping up to continue the work of the late Supervisor Bob Weir, who died earlier this month and was known for his outspoken opposition to data center sprawl.


Politics

In a recent interview, Brian Landrum, a Republican candidate for the Gainesville District seat on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, shared his vision and plans for the community. Landrum, an attorney and consultant, emphasized putting residents first and ensuring development benefits the community.

Background and Personal Life


Prince William

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to lower the county’s meals tax from 4% to 3%, a move intended to relieve economic pressure on families and local restaurants. The change, passed on a 5–2 vote, will take effect January 1, 2026.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Politics

Just hours after the Prince William Board of County Supervisors paid tribute to their late colleague Bob Weir, political tensions flared in the race to replace him.

This one’s for the people who really care about local news.

Locals Only members get deeper reporting, more context, and fewer shortcuts.

Think that’s you?
👉 Join Locals Only
Already a member? Sign in


Prince William

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. — The Prince William Board of County Supervisors opened its July 29 meeting with a solemn tribute to their late colleague, Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir, who passed away earlier this month.

“All right, everyone, it is 2 o’clock. I’m asking that everyone take a seat. We are going to begin with a moment of silence, and it’s going to be in honor of our colleague who we lost, Supervisor Bob Weir,” said Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson.


Prince William

GAINESVILLE, Va. – Bob Weir, the Gainesville District Supervisor on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors and a longtime fixture in local politics, died July 20, 2025, after a short but aggressive battle with colon cancer. He was 62.

Weir was known across Prince William County not just for his deep policy knowledge and procedural rigor, but for his fiery style, unfiltered commentary, and devotion to public service. State Senator Danica Roem, who covered Weir during her years as a journalist before entering politics, described him as “a curmudgeon in the most loving sense of the word.”


Breaking News

9 p.m. update – The Office of Supervisor Bob Weir confirmed his passing on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from metastatic colon cancer. In a statement, his family and staff remembered him as a devoted public servant, husband, and father who deeply valued transparency, community service, and the people of Gainesville District.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Prince William County Gainesville District Supervisor Bob Weir, who died on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from Metastatic Colon cancer.


Politics

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – A political action committee tied to Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega (R-Coles) reported a second large-dollar contribution in its latest filing with the Virginia Department of Elections. The committee, YES PAC, launched less than six months ago, has already raised more than $200,000 from just three donors.

Vega, now in her second term on the Board of County Supervisors, has frequently been seen as a rising star in Virginia Republican politics. The formation of YES PAC has reignited speculation that she may be eyeing another run for higher office.


Prince William

WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Nearly six months after the grand opening of Prince William County’s first commuter parking garage, new data shows the facility is being used far below capacity while operating costs continue to climb, renewing questions raised even before construction began.

The Neabsco-Potomac Mills Commuter Garage, a $53.5 million project located near Opitz Boulevard and Interstate 95, officially opened in November 2024. Since then, the county has spent $186,016 on operational expenses, according to recently released county records. The seven-story facility features 1,400 parking spaces, resulting in a construction cost of $38,214 per space.


News

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Prince William County leaders are facing mounting pressure to address noise generated by data centers, as residents—many from the Great Oak subdivision—delivered passionate testimony during the Board of County Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

The board’s discussion centered on a long-delayed draft noise ordinance aimed at controlling the low-frequency hum emitted by industrial cooling systems at massive data facilities, including nearby Amazon Web Services (AWS) sites.


View More Stories