This page contains biographic information about each candidate for office in the 2026 election. They are separated by the office for which they are running and listed in the order that they will appear on the ballot. (Ballot order is determined state law and is based on the date/time that a candidate files their official candidate package with the Loudoun County Board of Elections).

On July 24th, Citizens for Purcellville distributed a formal survey requesting input and biographical information from all candidates, however some candidates chose not to participate and did not return a survey. These candidates are indicated by an asterisk (*) next to their name. In the interest of providing information to voters, we are including details about those candidates based on publicly available databases. For those candidates who did return a survey, their responses are linked within their biographies.

On August 14th, we reached out again to each campaign requesting that they share their campaign handouts/mailers for us to post. Links to the materials that we received from candidates are also linked within each respective bio. We are also including any materials collected and forwarded to us by citizens in town.

Candidates are welcome to contact us via our contact page if they wish to update or correct any information provided here.

Candidates for Mayor – Town of Purcellville

Erin Rayner

Currently serving as Town Council Member (1st Term)
Formerly served as Vice Mayor
First Elected in 2022.
Previously ran unsuccessfully for Purcellville Town Council: 2020

Date Campaign Organized / Filed to Run: January 5, 2026

Campaign Website: www.erinrayner.com

Campaign Social Media: Facebook: ErinRaynerforPurcellville

Occupation: Member of Purcellville Town Council; Mother; Community Volunteer

Age: 44

Years in Town: 9

Community Involvement (last 10 years):

Former President and current board member, Purcellville Business Association (2017 – present)
Treasurer and board member, Virginia Regional Transit and Virginia Rides (2018 – present)
Former President and board member, Mountain View Elementary School PTA (2021 – 2025)
Appointed by the Governor of Virginia to the Virginia Council on Women (2022 – present)
Founding member and current board member, Purcellville Main Street (2024 – present)
Board member, Committee for Dulles (2024 – present)
Board member, Purcellville Rescue Squad (2026 – present)
Vice-Chair, Virginia Municipal League infrastructure policy committee (appointed 2026), examining state legislation affecting critical infrastructure and utilities across the Commonwealth—insight and influence that can help lobby for policies supporting our town
Before joining Town Council, I also served as Executive Director of the Barbara Comstock Program for Women in Leadership at George Mason University’s Schar School and as Director of VeteransAgainstAlzheimer’s, advocating for veterans affected by brain injuries.

CLICK HERE TO READ ERIN RAYNER’S SURVEY RESPONSE

CLICK HERE TO SEE ERIN RAYNER’S CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

Christopher Bertaut*

Currently serving as Mayor (1st Term as Mayor)
Former Town Council Member (1 Term)
Formerly served as Vice Mayor
First Elected in 2020. Elected Mayor 2024

Date Campaign Organized / Filed to Run: May 19, 2026

Campaign Social Media: Facebook: Mayor Christopher Bertaut

Occupation: Project Management, VSO Inc* (Based on Campaign Filings)

Age: 66*

Years in Town: Unknown* (Tax record indicates ownership of residence since 2004)

Community Involvement (last 10 years): Boy Scouts of America Adult Leader* (Dates Unknown)

Editorial Note: Citizens for Purcellville has limited information about this candidate due to their non-response to our multiple requests for biographic and campaign information. Additional information about this candidate is published on the Blue Ridge Leader website. Read this disclaimer about the Blue Ridge Leader.

External Link: Bertaut4Mayor Campaign Website

Candidates for Town Council – Town of Purcellville

Mitch Seipt

Candidate
No previous elected political experience

Date Campaign Organized / Filed to Run: January 5, 2026

Campaign Social Media: Facebook: Mitch Seipt for Purcellville Town Council

Occupation: Middle School Assistant Principal, LCPS

Age: 45

Years in Town: 10

Community Involvement (last 10 years):

Youth Sports Coach
Upper Loudoun Youth Football League – Assistant Coach – 2018-19
Loudoun Soccer – Coach – 2019
Western Loudoun Basketball League – Coach/Assistant Coach – 2019-2026

St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Volunteer
Audio/Visual Team – 2019-Present
Trustee – 2018-2021
Deacon – 2021-2024
Sunday School Teacher – 2024-Present
Youth Group Volunteer/Chaperone
Vacation Bible School Volunteer

LVHS Marching Band/Western Loudoun Indoor Combined Drumline
Equipment Trailer Driver 2023-Present

Loudoun County Board of Elections
Election Officer 2022-25
Technology Officer 2023-24
Assistant Chief 2025

CLICK HERE TO READ MITCH SEIPT’S SURVEY RESPONSE

CLICK HERE TO SEE MITCH SEIPT’S CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

CLICK HERE TO SEE MITCH SEIPT’S RESPONSE TO THE BLUE RIDGE LEADER’S CANDIDATE SURVEY (Link to Campaign Provided Document, Added 9-3-2026)

Paul McCray

Candidate
No previous elected political experience

Date Campaign Organized / Filed to Run: January 20, 2026

Campaign Social Media: Facebook: Paul McCray for Purcellville Town Council / Instagram: paulmccray4purcellvile

Occupation: Historian/NOVA Parks

Age: 70

Years in Town: 23 years

Community Involvement (last 10 years):

From 2003 to 2007 I was an adult Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader in Purcellville. This followed six years as an adult leader in Sterling Scouting organizations.

In 2008 I served on the Purcellville Centennial committee interviewing older residents of the town to provide history for the celebration. I borrowed and copied almost 400 photos of Purcellville’s past, providing a resource for the town celebration.

From 2005 to 2010 I served as a volunteer on the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, with two years as chair. During that time I helped plan and run various events, including Rock the Field and Purcellville Heritage Day with the Purcellville Preservation Association. Beginning in October 2025 I rejoined the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and I volunteer at town parades and events.

CLICK HERE TO READ PAUL MCCRAY’S SURVEY RESPONSE

CLICK HERE TO SEE PAUL MCCRAY’S CAMPAIGN MATERIALS

Kevin Wright

Currently serving as Town Council Member (1st Term)
First Elected to Town Council in 2024 to a Partial 2-Year Term

Date Campaign Organized / Filed to Run: May 26, 2026

Campaign Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564086472857

Occupation: Retired / Loudoun County Fire-Rescue

Age:58

Years in Town: >50 Years

Community Involvement (last 10 years):

Purcellville Vol. Rescue Squad (1983 – 1984) – Volunteered as a first responder
Purcellville Vol. Fire Company (1984 – 1999) – Served as a dedicated volunteer fire fighter
Upper Loudoun Little League (2016 – 2022) – Actively volunteered to support local youth sports
Special Olympics Virginia – Loudoun (2022 – Present) – Engaging as a volunteer to support athletes and their families
Board of Directors – Purcellville Vol. Rescue Squad (2025 – Present) – Currently serving to help guide and govern the organization