BY JONAS BEALS
Laura Sellers is single, 24 years old and lives with her parents.
Not unusual information, but not something you usually see on the resume of a candidate for the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. Sellers is the Democratic nominee, facing incumbent Mark Dudenhefer for the Garrisonville seat in November.
"Stafford needs a new political face," she said. "I want to give the youth--high school students and people my age--a voice in Stafford."
"I want to live at home," she added. "I don't have to live at home."
Sellers has had political ambitions since middle school, but this is her first foray into public life. A North Stafford High School graduate, she is particularly interested in improving education in the county. She decided it was time to get involved when she learned that one of her favorite teachers was considering a move to Spotsylvania for better pay.
"To hear that teachers are being taken advantage of--that impacted me," Sellers said. "Their profession needs to be respected."
Sellers is a North Carolina State University graduate with a degree in sociology. She parlayed that into a job as a researcher for the Department of Defense. In her spare time, she is pursuing a master's in social work and a doctorate in sociology.
She claims a systematic, research-based approach to her campaign, and believes her studying has made her familiar with the history of political issues in Stafford. Although she announced her campaign only days before the filing deadline, she said she has been preparing to run since February.
"I am making sure that I'm doing this the right way," Sellers said. "I'm always willing to listen and ask questions. I'm not some kid who has nothing better to do."
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com