Joy Crump Seeks Fredericksburg City Council Seat In Ward Two

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Joy Crump, a local chef and entrepreneur, believes quality of life is the critical issue for voters in Fredericksburg.

"For some, it may mean simply a place to live that they can afford, so I support projects that will bring more affordable housing opportunities in our city," she said. "For others, it's a thriving business scene, because our livelihoods depend on our businesses being profitable. So I support practices, initiatives and conversations that protect and enhance our small businesses."

Crump is one of two candidates running in the Nov. 4 general election for the Ward Two seat on the Fredericksburg City Council. She faces opponent Anne Little.

Early voting for the Nov. 4 election begins on Sept 19.

As part of its coverage of the 2025 election, Patch has asked each of the candidates in the Fredericksburg City Council race to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job for which they're running. The following are Crump's responses.

Your Name

Joy Crump

Position Sought

City Council Ward 2

Age

57

Family - Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're a candidate in.

Yes

Education

Bachelor's Degree, Associate in Arts Degree

Occupation

Chef, Restaurateur

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

My history in Fredericksburg is one of service, through my businesses. I am deeply committed to Fredericksburg and to Ward 2, where I have lived for many, many years. I want to show that commitment by serving my community in a new way: through a seat on City Council. There are many important issues facing our City and many decisions to be made about our future. I believe I have the right connections, measurement and perspective to get that job done.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Quality of Life. And that means different things for the people in Ward 2. For some, it may mean simply a place to live that they can afford--so I support projects that will bring more affordable housing opportunities in our City. For others, it's a thriving business scene, because our livelihoods depend on our businesses being profitable. So I support practices, initiatives and conversations that protect and enhance our small businesses. For many, quality of life means paving a path for our children through education. So I support plans aimed at improving FCPS--higher pay for our teachers, a more diversified curriculum and open dialogue about what we can do to keep from falling further behind. I support protecting our environment, today but especially in the longterm. That means I support partnerships that buy into the commitments we made to our environmental future. Even more than that, I support real and careful planning that is consistent with--not in contrast to--our environmental promises. I believe in supporting our most vulnerable citizens--the unhoused, our children, the elderly--and that means protecting the dollars in our budget that fund the services that serve them. I will be present in conversations on the dais with those community members in my mind and heart. I support preservation not just for preservation's sake, but because Fredericksburg was built on a foundation of diversity--and of opportunities that connect us all in housing, business, education, recreation, art...So I support preserving that foundation by revitalizing and repurposing our significant structures so that we can continue to meet the changing needs of our community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I think there are a whole host of conversations going on that foster fear and, most importantly, don't get us any closer to resolving incredibly critical issues facing our City and Ward 2. We should be talking about our public schools, affordability in housing for our first responders, teachers and service workers, reconnecting with our at-risk community members, keeping the Rappahannock flowing healthily, controlling food waste and feeding our hungry, assisting our ALICE community members, keeping our small business owners profitable, development that makes us better and not just bigger...I could name more topics that deserve our attention. The point is, these are the things that need to be addressed as Fredericksburg moves into the future. So as we approach election day, these are the ONLY things we should be talking about. Candidates who focus on anything else are, in my opinion, irresponsibly out of touch.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I am not a challenger. Councilman Gerlach has decided not to run for re-election in Ward 2.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Please visit www.joyforfxbg.com to find lots of information about the issues that define my campaign.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Entrepreneurs--in addition to being crazy brave--are also incredibly hard-working, even when working seems like it's not taking you where you need to go. We are nimble, creative, resilient and, maybe most importantly, we're cooperative. We know that we can't succeed unless we know how to work on a team and how to compromise in order to win. I'm an entrepreneur and I am well-qualified to do this job.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Don't lie.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I can always recite my resume. But to get an understanding of who I am, I'd point voters to talk to the people who know me best: the 47 team members who work at my two businesses in downtown Fredericksburg. The other small business owners who have worked alongside me over the past 15 years, and whom I've supported with my own dollars. The neighbors who live next door to me in Ward 2. The community members to whom I serve breakfast on cold winter mornings when they've slept outside. The people with whom I've served on various boards over the years. The tenants to whom I've rented residential or commercial space. The artists whose work hangs on the walls of my businesses or who play their music in my restaurant. Those are the people who can speak to who I really am. And I invite everyone to connect with them.

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• Jesse Dominguez Running For Fredericksburg City Council: Questionnaire
• Fredericksburg Police Chief To Step Down In January