James Harder is a Montgomery County native. He graduated from Virginia Tech. He has served on the Virginia Board of Forestry and directed cs/root, an entrepreneurship hub supporting startups in the New River and Roanoke Valleys. He is married and has two children.

James teaches public policy at Virginia Tech. He previously worked for U.S. Representative Rick Boucher.

James previously ran for Virginia Delegate but did not win.

Supports small businesses and startups, and plans to promote policies that create good-paying jobs.

- Supports small businesses and startups, and plans to promote policies that create good-paying jobs.

Economy

Supports investing in arts, culture, and recreation.

- Supports investing in arts, culture, and recreation.

Public Services

Plans to address the housing crisis and advocate for walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods with excellent schools.

- Plans to address the housing crisis and advocate for walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods with excellent schools.

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 10, 2025, James D. Harder’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports creating green spaces and sustainability initiatives to maintain a clean, healthy, and resilient town.

- Supports creating green spaces and sustainability initiatives to maintain a clean, healthy, and resilient town.

Energy & the Environment

James D. Harder

I’m a fifth-generation Montgomery County native, a Virginia Tech graduate and employee, and a longtime public servant. My passion for service started early—my grandmother served in the House of Delegates, and I learned from her the importance of responsive leadership. I’ve worked for U.S. Representative Rick Boucher, led major initiatives at Virginia Tech, and helped drive economic development through grants and startup programs. I ran one of the closest Delegate races in Virginia history, which led to appointments on Governor McAuliffe’s Transition Team and the Virginia Board of Forestry. Over the last five years, I managed economic development grants in Virginia Tech’s Department of Computer Science and directed cs/root, an entrepreneurship hub supporting startups in the New River and Roanoke Valleys. I also teach public policy at Virginia Tech. When I’m not working, you’ll find me with my two kids, my cat, and my dog—or playing music, golfing, and training for sprint triathlons.

As of September 10, 2025, James D. Harder did not have a website or any information online.

Advocates for walkable, family-friendly neighborhoods with excellent schools.

Buket Urgen

LinkedIn

Darryl Campbell has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in natural resources conservation, both from Virginia Tech.

Darryl is a senior contract specialist at Virginia Tech and an event host at Hokie House Restaurant. He has previously worked as a communications and event planning coordinator, a bartender, and a leasing consultant.

Local Voter Information 2025

Darryl's campaign for Blacksburg Town Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of September 10, 2025, Darryl R. Campbell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes there is a housing shortage in Blacksburg.

- Believes there is a housing shortage in Blacksburg.

Facebook

Darryl R. Campbell

Darryl R. Campbell's campaign for Blacksburg Town Council Member is his first entry into politics.

As of September 10, 2025, Darryl R. Campbell did not have a website or any information online.

Joel Goodhart was born and raised in the New River Valley. He has a master's degree in IT from Virginia Tech. Joel is involved in various community groups, including serving on Blacksburg's Housing Committee, as the treasurer for the New River Valley Bicycle Association, and leading Strong Towns Blacksburg. He lives with his wife and two children in Blacksburg.

Joel works as a substitute teacher. He previously taught career and technology education with Montgomery County Public Schools. Prior to that was the operations manager at the YMCA at Virginia Tech.

Joel's campaign for town council in Blacksburg is his first run for public office.

As of September 10, 2025, Joel L. Goodhart’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in making land use and zoning decisions that encourage productive growth and discourage "unproductive" car-dependent suburban sprawl.

Supports land use and zoning decisions that encourage productive growth and discourage "unproductive" car-dependent suburban sprawl.

Believes access to affordable, quality housing is essential for a thriving Blacksburg.

- Supports land use and zoning decisions that encourage productive growth and discourage "unproductive" car-dependent suburban sprawl.
- Believes access to affordable, quality housing is essential for a thriving Blacksburg.

Believes that "better, slower streets" will enhance community connectivity and safety for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders.

- Believes that "better, slower streets" will enhance community connectivity and safety for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit riders.

Joel L. Goodhart

Joel Goodhart was born and raised in the New River Valley. He lives with his wife and two children in Blacksburg.

As of September 10, 2025, Joel L. Goodhart did not have a website or any information online.

Contact Us | Blacksburg, VA

Lauren Colliver grew up in Northern Virginia. She has a bachelor's degree in biology from James Madison University. She has served on the Blacksburg Jewish Community Center and as treasurer for Blacksburg New School. She lives in Blacksburg with her husband and they have four children.

Lauren is a current town council member for Blacksburg. She was first elected in 2017 and is serving her second term.

Lauren is the owner of Renew & Restore Wellness. She previously owned and operated Valley Sports & Spine Clinic.

As of September 10, 2025, Lauren M. Colliver did not have a website or any information online.

Instagram

Lauren M. Colliver

Susan Anderson is from Virginia. She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and classical civilization from Mary Washington College and a master's degree in mathematics from Virginia Tech. She lives with her spouse.

Blacksburg Town Council | Biographies

Susan is senior instructor emerita of mathematics at Virginia Tech, where she previously taught mathematics for 40 years.

Susan is currently a member of the Blacksburg Town Council. She was first elected in 2006 and is currently serving her fifth term. She has also served as vice mayor for four terms.

As of September 10, 2025, Susan G. Anderson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports preserving and expanding open spaces, parks, greenways, and recreational facilities to enhance community livability.

- Supports preserving and expanding open spaces, parks, greenways, and recreational facilities to enhance community livability.

Supports diverse housing options, including workforce, senior, and young professional housing.

Believes in guiding development and redevelopment through shared community values.

Supports protecting neighborhood integrity and improving community livability.

Supports the New River Home Trust, a community land trust established with Montgomery County, which allows people to purchase homes and rent the land for a nominal fee, making home ownership more affordable.

Supports allocating funds to affordable housing projects, including owner-occupied homes and rental apartments.

Supports revising ordinances to allow more detached housing units, like garage apartments, to increase housing stock and affordability.

Supports collaboration with Virginia Tech to address housing issues.

- Supports diverse housing options, including workforce, senior, and young professional housing.
- Believes in guiding development and redevelopment through shared community values.
- Supports protecting neighborhood integrity and improving community livability.
- Supports the New River Home Trust, a community land trust established with Montgomery County, which allows people to purchase homes and rent the land for a nominal fee, making home ownership more affordable.
- Supports allocating funds to affordable housing projects, including owner-occupied homes and rental apartments.
- Supports revising ordinances to allow more detached housing units, like garage apartments, to increase housing stock and affordability.
- Supports collaboration with Virginia Tech to address housing issues.

Supports improved public and alternative transportation, as well as an extensive network of sidewalks and walking and biking trails.

- Supports improved public and alternative transportation, as well as an extensive network of sidewalks and walking and biking trails.

Susan G. Anderson

Susan is from Virginia. She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and classical civilization from Mary Washington College and a master's degree in mathematics from Virginia Tech. She lives with her husband, Kim Kipling, in one of Blacksburg's most historic neighborhoods on Preston Avenue.

Susan is currently a member of the Blacksburg Town Council. She was first elected in May 2006 and has been re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021. She has served as vice mayor for several terms and is currently serving her fifth term on the council.

Supports managing sustainable growth by adhering to the Comprehensive Plan.

Supports the Town's participation in the New River Valley Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing.

As a member of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board, works on housing affordability, reviews potential projects, and suggests funding allocations.

Supports increasing the tax base by achieving near full occupancy of retail facilities and promoting corporate research and light manufacturing businesses.