After eight years at the helm, Will Harvey has stepped down as chair of the Albemarle Democratic Committee. The party's steering committee has selected J. Taylor Beard as the new county chair.

Harvey has guided the party through eight general elections and has seen the county grow from 21 to 26 precincts. During that time, registered voters in the county have increased from 37,000 to 54,000.

"I have tremendously enjoyed having the opportunity to serve as chair for the past eight years and greatly appreciate the support from all of my friends and colleagues. The challenges for Democrats in Virginia continue, but the interests of good government are best served by a strong two-party system," said Harvey, publisher and business development manager for the American Health Lawyers Association headquartered in Washington, DC. "I look forward to Taylor Beard's leadership and expect that he will continue to strengthen the party in the County."

Beard, a mechanical engineering professor at UVA, has been active in local politics and civic affairs since 1966 and has been a member of the county's Democratic steering committee off and on since the 70's.

"I look forward to continuing the process of opening up the Democratic Party to all the people in Albemarle County and to participating in the process of finding good candidates and bringing good government to the county, the state, and the nation," Beard said. "I will work to reaffirm the party's commitment to basic human values as they relate to government, education, and the community."

Beard took office on January 14th.

Jim Heilman, January 14, 2003