CENTREVILLE MAYOR ELECTION CONTEST SET FOR TRIAL
Reported by Mike Hobson
October 27, 2025
In a brief hearing this afternoon before the Honorable Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins the Centreville Mayor election contest filed by Incumbent Mayor Mike Oakley vs. Mayor Elect Barry Cooner ended up getting set for a December 5, 2025 trial date. The arguments were brief and the attorneys spent time in a bench conversation with the Judge discussing the trial planning details before the parties adjourned from the Court.
Pending Motions to dismiss the contest were denied. The Court is now allowing the contestant(s) to conduct evidentiary discovery in preparation for the tryer of fact. In this case that will be the Judge, not a jury.
At issue, according to arguments presented by Joel Blankenship, attorney for Oakley, are three (3) ballots that were cast by parties claimed not eligible to vote in this election. The Judge asked if these challenged ballots could change the outcome of the election and both parties acknowledged that could be the result. As it presently stands Barry Cooner was the winner of the August 2025 election by a 2 vote margin. The Judge told the parties that the case could be moved to the 2026 court calendar if the parties are not ready for trial by December 5.
The City is planning to swear in all newly elected officials on Monday November 3, 2025. The Mayor Elect Barry Cooner and 5 councilmen are expected to officially take office on that date.
