Hayden, 62, of Claudville, captured the overall vote 515-354 over Janet R. Epperson, representing a margin of 59 to 41 percent. The two were vying to replace Jonathan Large, who opted not to seek another four-year term.
“I’m very excited — I’m ready to go to work,” Hayden said Tuesday night after the results were tabulated.
He took two of the three precincts in the Dan River District, and lost the third by only 10 votes. Hayden won the Willis Gap vote 162-93 and in his home precinct in Claudville by a 205 to 96 count. Epperson won in her home precinct, Ararat, by a margin of 147-137.
Hayden credited his victory to hard work by those involved with his campaign.
“The last five months has been pretty tough. I’ve worked really hard visiting people in the Dan River District, listening their concerns and the problems we face,” he said.
“I appreciate the work that my campaign committee has done — they’ve worked very hard, especially during the past few days. I want to thank everybody.” Hayden also credited area media outlets and their coverage of the campaign.
Hayden also is pleased by the collective support he received from citizens in Willis Gap, Claudville and Ararat. “I want to thank them for having confidence to elect me as their representative to the board of supervisors.”
The election winner said his No. 1 priority when taking office at the first of the year will be trying to fulfill a campaign promise to “equalize” taxation in Patrick County.
He explained that areas of the county with large farming tracts, such as the Dan River District, are taxed heavily as a result while receiving a disproportionate level of services in return.
Hayden also has said that he would work to get more technology-oriented jobs in Patrick County.
Epperson, 65, offered her congratulations to Hayden Tuesday night and applauded the way he conducted his campaign.
“This is what democracy is all about,” she said, “two people running and everyone deciding who will do the best for them.”
Epperson said of Hayden, “He’s a really nice guy and I like him, and I think he’ll be a really hardworking person.”
She is hoping to see Hayden follow through on such goals as keeping property taxes low. And as the president of the Dan River Park Association, Epperson also would like his representation to lead to more county government support for parks and recreation in the district.
Epperson said she would have had to give up her position with the park had she won the election, to avoid a conflict of interest. “Now I can go back to working on the park,” she said.
Regardless of her loss, “I really have enjoyed this. It was a great opportunity for me to meet a lot of wonderful, wonderful people,” Epperson added.
“I wish him the very best,” she said of Hayden.
Tax Defeated
Also Tuesday, Patrick County voters rejected a proposal for a countywide meals tax.
The unofficial vote was 2,909 to 1,804 against the proposal that would have added a 4-percent tax to meals served in restaurants as well as prepared foods sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and delicatessens.
The tax would have applied to businesses in Ararat, Claudville and other areas of the county.
The Patrick Board of Supervisors had voted last spring to have the proposal decided through a referendum on Tuesday’s ballot.
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