Three persons have qualified as candidates for the special election for Middlesex County sheriff set for Nov. 3, reported Melissa D. Welch, director of elections and general registrar for Middlesex County.
- Christopher J. Easter, 47, of Saluda, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 27 years retiring as a sergeant major. He joined the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office in 2022 and is currently chief deputy with a rank of major.
- Bryan P. Longest, 43, of Locust Hill, is a deputy with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. He has more than 18 years of law enforcement experience.
- Kristen L. Schomburg, 46, of Hartfield, has 25 years of law enforcement experience. This September will mark her 20th year with the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office.
Special election
A special election is being conducted because former Middlesex Sheriff David P. Bushey resigned March 31, citing health reasons, after 14 years as sheriff.
The candidate who is elected sheriff in the special election on Nov. 3 will take office about a week after the election, once the results are certified by county election officials; and will serve the remainder of Bushey’s term that expires on Dec. 31, 2027.
The next regular “general” election (four-year cycle) for sheriff is in November 2027. That winner will take office Jan. 1, 2028 and serve a four-year term.
The special election for sheriff will be on the ballot with other items on Nov. 3.
Major Michael “Mickey” E. Sampson II was the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office chief deputy since 2012, until he was sworn in as the acting sheriff, effective April 1. He will serve as interim sheriff until a sheriff is elected in the special election and takes office in November 2026.
