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JOE PERRY

FOR STAUNTON COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY

Who is Joe Perry?

Staunton isn’t just where I work—it’s my home. It’s where I’ve built my career fighting for justice, where I’ve stood beside the most vulnerable, and where I’ve tirelessly worked with a team of dedicated professionals to make our community safer, stronger, and more just.


I graduated from William and Mary Law School in 2005 and have spent my entire career in Virginia, fifteen years of which I have served as a prosecutor. I joined the Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in early 2018, and for the past 5 years I have served as the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney. I have handled some of the most difficult and serious cases in the office, and have dedicated my career to prosecuting
the worst crimes we see—those committed against children.

Day after day, I walk into the courtroom with these goals: to give a voice to the voiceless, to fight to protect the most vulnerable among us, and to keep our community
safe.

In addition to prosecuting serious crimes, I handle a heavy caseload in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, where my primary focus has been to work to ensure that the children of our community are safe and healthy.

I am not just a prosecutor—I am your neighbor and an advocate for the people of the community. Every day in court, the Commonwealth’s Attorney represents the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I take that charge to heart. I believe in fairness, integrity, and hard work. I believe in the power of justice to heal. When a child is harmed, our entire community is harmed. And when justice is served, our entire
community heals.

This election isn’t about politics; it is about making sure Staunton has a
Commonwealth’s Attorney with the experience to keep the community safe—a Commonwealth’s Attorney who will stand up for you. I have been that person, I am that person, and I want to continue to be that person.

Why Choose Joe Perry?

For years, I’ve been on the front lines of the Staunton courtrooms, prosecuting child predators, standing beside survivors, and making sure those who harm our most vulnerable face the consequences of their actions. I’ve been there alongside a mother as she waited for a verdict. I’ve been there when a child bravely told their story for the first time. And I’ve been there, time and time again, to make sure no victim ever has to fight alone.

I don’t just talk about justice—I deliver it.

When you vote for me, you’re voting for:

✔ A fierce protector of children and families – No one should ever have to live in fear, and no predator should ever walk free. I have spent my career fighting to make sure that doesn’t happen.

✔ A champion of fairness and equality – Justice should never be about status or connections—it should be about truth. Every case deserves to be handled with fairness, on its merits, no matter who you are or where you come from.

✔ A leader with unwavering integrity – I have never, and will never, make a decision based on political pressure. My only loyalty is to the people of Staunton and to the law.

✔ A prosecutor who loves this community – Staunton is where I’ve built my career, and it’s where I’ve chosen to plant roots. This city is a unique blend of historical beauty and modern values. We are a creative and caring community. We lift each other up and we care about one another. I know this city, I love this city, and I will do everything in my power to keep it safe.

I have spent years protecting Staunton’s most vulnerable. Now, I’m ready to fight for all of you.

Endorsements

Staci Falls

Staunton Circuit Court Clerk

This November there will be two candidates on the ballot for Commonwealth's Attorney. I urge you to do your due diligence when deciding which one to cast your vote for. Having worked with both candidates, it is clear to me and many others that have done the same, that Joe Perry is the only choice.  As your Clerk of Court, and someone who has proudly served in the Staunton Circuit Clerk’s Office for over a decade, I have the pleasure of working closely with the Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and have known Joe since he started working there. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has over 800 statutory duties, and many of these duties involve communicating and collaboration with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. My staff and I see firsthand the quality of Joe’s work, and we know that we can rely on him to respond or assist in any situation.  Joe is always available and willing to help all of the agencies he works with and goes above and beyond to see that any job he is tasked with is completed to the best of his ability. He is someone you can trust, someone who has been committed to serving the City of Staunton for the past seven years, and someone who will continue to ensure our community is a safe place for you to live in and to raise your families in. He has worked full-time in his position as Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney since announcing his candidacy, while also volunteering in other capacities and connecting with voters. He is a prosecutor, not a politician. He does not let politics or status interfere with how he does his job. Joe is running as an Independent and is truly committed to serving ALL citizens. Joe has earned the endorsement of Jeff Gaines, Staunton’s current Commonwealth’s Attorney, who has served as a prosecutor for over 30 years, as well as other well-respected professionals and leaders in our community. It is my honor and pleasure to join them in supporting Joe in his endeavor to become Staunton’s next Commonwealth’s Attorney.  For the sake of our wonderful city, I respectfully ask you to join me in voting for Joe Perry on November 4.

Garett Smith

Retired Staunton City Schools Superintendent

I’m endorsing Joe because he’s experienced and trustworthy. In my time as school superintendent, we worked together on some very delicate cases involving some of our young people. Joe understands the challenges facing our youth today and he’s fully committed to keeping them safe.

Maggie Ragon

Commissioner of Revenue for the City of Staunton

The five Constitutional Officers who are elected to serve the citizens of Staunton have a duty to offer fair and equitable treatment of all who live in our wonderful city. We are sworn to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of the office. Joe Perry is dedicated to upholding the law as Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Staunton. Joe takes this responsibility seriously and has dedicated the past 5 years as Chief Deputy to effectively prosecuting some of the most difficult cases in the office. I find Joe to be respectful, thoughtful, and professional in all respects. I believe he is the right person for the job, so I ask you to join me in voting for Joe Perry when you cast your ballot this fall.

Kathy Jenkins

Coordinator, Staunton-Augusta County Domestic Violence Program

For the last seven years, as the Coordinator of the Staunton-Augusta County Domestic Violence Program, I have had the privilege of working closely with Joe Perry on innumerable cases of domestic violence. I can say without hesitation that Joe Perry is an honorable man, who cares deeply for the community he serves and wholeheartedly dedicates himself to seek justice for the victims and families of those impacted by crime. I know Joe Perry is an excellent prosecutor, who fights relentlessly to keep our community safe from violent offenders and criminals who have harmed the most vulnerable and innocent among us. Joe Perry is incredibly thoughtful, judicious, dedicated, hard working and passionately pursues justice. I firmly support Joe Perry as Staunton's next Commonwealth’s Attorney.

Justin Lingenfelter

Victim Advocate

Joe Perry demonstrates a profound commitment to providing compassionate and empathetic care to the victims he serves within the community. I have personally observed his consistent efforts to go above and beyond in supporting victims as they navigate the complexities of the system following experiences of violence. He takes the initiative to meet with victims, ensuring they are well-informed about the legal process and are connected to essential community resources for ongoing support. Mr. Perry is intentional in listening to each victim, making certain their voices are heard throughout every stage of the process. His unwavering dedication significantly contributes to the pursuit of justice and the overall well-being of those he serves.

My Values and Community Commitment

My Values

Protecting Children & Victims
Some cases stay with you forever. I’ve sat across from children who have experienced horrors no one should ever have to endure. I’ve seen their bravery, heard their stories, and fought to make sure they received justice. No child should ever feel unsafe, and no victim should ever feel unheard. Protecting the innocent isn’t just part of my job—it’s my fundamental purpose.

Equality & Fairness
The Rule of Law is one of the fundamental principles of our country. No one is above the law—and no one is beneath it.

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I have spent my career ensuring that justice is applied fairly, without bias, favoritism, or influence. Whether you’re rich or poor, powerful or powerless, justice should be the same for everyone.

Integrity
Being Commonwealth’s Attorney isn’t about winning cases—it’s about doing what’s right. I have never made a decision based on pressure or politics. I follow the facts, uphold the law, and do what is right, even when it’s difficult. I believe that good judgment is essential to the job—knowing when to seek a prison sentence and when to give someone another chance; when to charge and when not to charge—and that judgment only comes from experience. I am the candidate with the experience necessary to do the job the way it should be done.

Community Commitment

I believe that the most basic duty of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is to work as hard as possible, day in and day out, to keep their community safe. I have worked alongside law enforcement, victim advocates, community leaders, and nonprofits to make sure that our city is safer, our families are supported, and our justice system works for everyone.

A Commonwealth’s Attorney isn’t just a prosecutor—they’re a protector of the entire community. I have been that protector and I am ready to keep fighting for Staunton.

Running as an Independent

I’m running as an independent because I believe that the Commonwealth’s Attorney is a prosecutor—a working attorney—not a politician. The job of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is not to make policy, but to enforce the law.

Every single day, the Commonwealth’s Attorney goes to court and represents the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia—all people. And all people of this community, regardless of what they believe or what party they may align with, should be confident that the Commonwealth’s Attorney represents them. Every case should be decided on its merits, and political pressures should never come into play.

My only agenda is serving ALL the people of Staunton with honesty, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law.

When you walk into a courtroom, the only thing that should matter is the truth. That’s why I’m running as an independent—because justice should never have a political side.