Charles “Chuck” Frye, Jr., current Vice-Mayor of Fredericksburg, is running for re-election to his seat on the city council. Frye has served on the council since 2014. He’s been a resident of Fredericksburg since he was a child and graduated from James Monroe High School. He has worked many jobs in the area, including as a pipe-fitter, janitor, shipping clerk, and currently as a delivery driver for UPS. He and his wife have three children.
Frye is the only Black member of City Counciland has served as an advocate on the council for racial equity. He led the effort to remove the slave auction block, which stood on the corner of William and Charles streets since the 1840s. Despite two lawsuits and other opposition, Frye and the council successfully removed the block in 2020. Frye also voted in favor of a resolution that urged the General Assembly to rename Jefferson Davis Highway to “Emancipation Highway.”
After witnessing gun violence personally as a child, Vice Mayor Frye has been a strong advocate for gun violence prevention in Fredericksburg. Working alongside the Fredericksburg Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, he helped establish and host an annual gun giveback in 2015, which has happened every year since. The event allows Fredericksburg residents to voluntarily give unwanted weapons to the police, no questions asked. He also is a supporter of Fredericksburg’s Peace in Da Paint event, which is a community event that encourages Fredericksburg youth to settle differences on the basketball court rather than resorting to violence.
Vice Mayor Frye has voted for environmental protections in Fredericksburg. Frye voted in favor of a resolution committing the city to running city operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and powering the entire city with 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2050. This resolution also made the city hire an energy and sustainability specialist to help reach these targets. Frye also has supported the council’s efforts to negotiate with CSX and remove the tanker cars in the Mayfield area that release harmful fumes and can have hazardous leaks.
Frye has also worked to ensure Fredericksburg remains affordable for all residents. He voted in favor of a grant for a local co-op grocery store, which is working to ensure all Fredericksburg residents have access to affordable, healthy food options and reduce food insecurity. He’s supported revitalization efforts downtown to increase housing density and potentially decrease housing prices. In particular, he supported an effort to allow a duplex dwelling in Mayfield, so that it could be used by a non-profit that provides housing to veterans.
Vice Mayor Frye is being challenged by Amber Peebles, is a Marine Corps Veteran and owner of a construction business. She is also a member of the Citizen Advisory Panel of the Fredericksburg Police Department. Peebles does not support unions and opposes efforts by the legislature to protect workers’ rights.
Due to his support for racial equity, gun safety, environmental protections, and affordability, Frye is the most progressive choice in this race.
Charles “Chuck” Frye, Jr., current Vice-Mayor of Fredericksburg, is running for re-election to his seat on the city council. Frye has served on the council since 2014. He’s been a resident of Fredericksburg since he was a child and graduated from James Monroe High School. He has worked many jobs in the area, including as a pipe-fitter, janitor, shipping clerk, and currently as a delivery driver for UPS. He and his wife have three children.
Frye is the only Black member of City Counciland has served as an advocate on the council for racial equity. He led the effort to remove the slave auction block, which stood on the corner of William and Charles streets since the 1840s. Despite two lawsuits and other opposition, Frye and the council successfully removed the block in 2020. Frye also voted in favor of a resolution that urged the General Assembly to rename Jefferson Davis Highway to “Emancipation Highway.”
After witnessing gun violence personally as a child, Vice Mayor Frye has been a strong advocate for gun violence prevention in Fredericksburg. Working alongside the Fredericksburg Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, he helped establish and host an annual gun giveback in 2015, which has happened every year since. The event allows Fredericksburg residents to voluntarily give unwanted weapons to the police, no questions asked. He also is a supporter of Fredericksburg’s Peace in Da Paint event, which is a community event that encourages Fredericksburg youth to settle differences on the basketball court rather than resorting to violence.
Vice Mayor Frye has voted for environmental protections in Fredericksburg. Frye voted in favor of a resolution committing the city to running city operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 and powering the entire city with 100 percent renewable energy sources by 2050. This resolution also made the city hire an energy and sustainability specialist to help reach these targets. Frye also has supported the council’s efforts to negotiate with CSX and remove the tanker cars in the Mayfield area that release harmful fumes and can have hazardous leaks.
Frye has also worked to ensure Fredericksburg remains affordable for all residents. He voted in favor of a grant for a local co-op grocery store, which is working to ensure all Fredericksburg residents have access to affordable, healthy food options and reduce food insecurity. He’s supported revitalization efforts downtown to increase housing density and potentially decrease housing prices. In particular, he supported an effort to allow a duplex dwelling in Mayfield, so that it could be used by a non-profit that provides housing to veterans.
Vice Mayor Frye is being challenged by Amber Peebles, is a Marine Corps Veteran and owner of a construction business. She is also a member of the Citizen Advisory Panel of the Fredericksburg Police Department. Peebles does not support unions and opposes efforts by the legislature to protect workers’ rights.
Due to his support for racial equity, gun safety, environmental protections, and affordability, Frye is the most progressive choice in this race.
This election will be held on November 2, 2021, and shares a ballot with statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Incumbent Delegate Lashrecse Aird (D) is facing a challenge from small business owner Kim Taylor (R). Del. Aird has held the seat since 2016.