Politics & Government
Baldwin and Higgins Campaign to Succeed Sally Kurtz in Catoctin
Sally Kurtz was elected to represent the Catoctin District on the Board of Supervisors in November 1999, and was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. She does not seek a fourth term.
After three terms and 12 years in office, Democrat Sally Kurtz is not seeking re-election to the Catoctin District seat on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors.
Republican Geary Higgins of Waterford campaigned against Kurtz in the last two elections, but her incumbency and a strong economy defeated his efforts in 2003 and 2007. For Malcolm Baldwin of Lovettsville, a Democrat, this is his first campaign for political office.
Their contest has proven noticeably polite by contrast with other Loudoun races. Even after a recent candidate forum in Lovettsville that lasted more than two hours one resident said she still had not decided who to support.
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“I am still going to do some more investigating,” said Louise Brown. “I question the amount of time it takes to be a supervisor. I did not see Mr. Baldwin’s work history and I would question Mr. Higgins having a full time job and commuting.”
Baldwin, retired from a career in environmental law, now raises wool sheep and grapes. Higgins is a third-generation employee of the National Electrical Contractors Association in Bethesda. Asked how much time they would devote to the job, Baldwin said that in the spring “I will do the lambing. I just hope they are not on a Tuesday morning."
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“I am fully committed to whatever time it takes,” said Higgins. “I never missed a School Board meeting” during his term from 2000 to 2004.
Baldwin spoke of a “recurring theme” he hears when campaigning: “People love to live in Loudoun County,” he said. “They are frustrated with transportation problems, commuting, taxes, home values, and the quality of education. But their happiness with living in Loudoun is underneath; it has a marvelous natural environment, rich historic heritage, and friendly people. We have jobs that the rest of the national would wish for.”
As one of the fastest growing counties in the country in the last decade, Baldwin said, “We need to be fiscally responsible about how we shape that growth.”
Higgins said he and his wife first moved to Bluemont, where they enjoyed the history and preservation that are his passion. “I care about Loudoun County,” he said. "I think I can make a difference.”
“We have the highest taxes in the region,” he added, with 82 percent of tax revenue paid by homeowners and 18 percent by the commercial sector. “We need to bring business to the county and be business-friendly again.”
Higgins also pointed to transportation problems and said, “Everyone who wants to go to Woodgrove High School has to go through Lovettsville and that doesn’t make any sense.” Higgins said commuter tolls are too high at $13.50 per day.
During his four years on the School Board, Higgins said, “We had a fiscally responsible board” that spent about 62 percent of the county’s revenue. “Today it’s pushing 70 percent.”
“I don’t think I am the smartest guy in the world,” Higgins said. "I want to hear from you.”
Name
Malcolm Baldwin
Geary Higgins
Age
71
58
Community
Lovettsville
Waterford
Political party
Democrat
Republican
Children
Three adult children, two grandchildren.
Three daughters; all graduates of Loudoun Valley High School; one grandchild.
Occupation
Retired environmental lawyer, now raising wool sheep and wine grapes.
Vice president of labor relations, National Electrical Contractors Assoc.; Bethesda
Education
BA in modern European history; law degree, University of Chicago.
BS, Business administration in marketing and management.
Donations
Previous offices and activism
No previous political campaigns. Opposed PATH transmission line and Wheatland school complex.
Executive board, Piedmont Environmental Council.
Catoctin District representative to Loudoun County School Board, 2000-04; two previous campaigns for supervisor against incumbent Sally Kurtz (D).
Board member, Loudoun Museum. Past chairman, Bluemont Fair.
Top priorities
Budgetary efficiency to create quality schools, affordable taxes, efficient government services.
Taxes, debt, traffic and tolls.
Economic development, fiscal responsibility, transparency.
Issues in Catoctin District
Supports roundabout at Rts. 9 /287; flyover at Sycolin Road/Rt. 7; opposes outer beltway.
Add ramp at Rt. 690 in Purcellville to Woodgrove High School and a right turn lane on Rt. 9 west at Route 287.
