STAUNTON — Two former colleagues are set to battle it out to become the next commonwealth’s attorney for the City of Staunton.
With the retirement of Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeff Gaines set to take place at the end of the year, two area prosecutors have recently announced they will be running to fill his position.
Staunton Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Joseph Perry announced last week that he will be vying for the position.
On Saturday morning in front of the Staunton Courthouse, Waynesboro Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney John Baber, a former Staunton prosecutor who still lives in the city, announced his candidacy as well.
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, John Baber (left) announced his candidacy for the the position of Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Both men, who worked together for about three years in the Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, are running as an Independent.
“I’m running as an Independent because everybody in Staunton deserves equal justice, and they deserve to know that the person elected respects that central part of our criminal justice system,” Baber said. “There’s a reason why Lady Justice wears a blindfold.”
“I really believe it has to be a non-partisan and non-political office,” Perry said. “I really, strongly believe that the people of this community, whatever their political persuasion is, that they feel like the commonwealth attorney is going to represent them and is going to be neutral and unbiased.”
Baber, 43, whose wife, Cassondra, is an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Staunton, was a high school history teacher in Charlottesville after getting his master’s degree at the University of Virginia. Later, he attended law school at the University of Baltimore. He first worked as a public defender in 2014, then taught law at a Baltimore police academy, which he said gave him an appreciation for investment in law enforcement. In 2019, he joined the the Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. After taking a year off, he was hired by the Waynesboro Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in 2023. Now, he aims to become Staunton’s top prosecutor.
“This is an important job, and this city needs somebody who’s willing to make the commitment and do what it takes to do this job. I’m that person,” said Baber, who noted his wife would have to resign from the Staunton office for ethical reasons if he’s elected.
Perry, 44, did his undergrad work at Wofford College in South Carolina before graduating from William & Mary Law School. He was in private practice for a five years, he said, and previously worked as a prosecutor in the Virginia counties of Fauquier and Mecklenburg. Perry joined the Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in 2018, where much of his focus has been prosecuting child abuse and sexual assault cases. In 2020, Gaines tabbed him to become his chief deputy.
Joseph Perry.
“I’ve really come to feel like I’m part of the community here, and I want to keep working to keep the community safe,” said Perry, who has about 15 years of prosecuting experience. “My whole career has been in Virginia.”
On his campaign website, Baber talks about the importance of the commonwealth attorney’s office within the community.
“The overall duty of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is to see that justice is served — and that can take a lot of different forms. Justice is a spectrum that spans support and resources for those affected by poverty and drug addiction to serious consequences for those convicted of violent crimes, and everything in between. Justice is a victim’s moment in court, a healthy respect for everyone’s Constitutional rights, and a commitment to public transparency,” he said.
In an emailed letter to The News Leader announcing his candidacy, Perry, who is being endorsed by Gaines, praised his leadership and said Gaines’ efforts have had a lasting impact on the city by helping make it a safer place to raise a family.
“I have decided to run to succeed Jeff as Staunton’s next Commonwealth’s Attorney. I am running because I care about this community — our community — and I want to see it continue to be a safe place to live. That does not happen automatically. It requires, first and foremost, a capable and professional police department. We are fortunate to have that,” Perry said in the letter.
Both Perry and Baber said they are looking forward to knocking on doors during the campaign in an effort to speak with voters.
More: Hundreds protest at the Hands Off rally at Augusta County Courthouse in Staunton
“I love meeting people,” said Baber. “I look forward to campaigning. I love talking to people, and I like the community interest and interactions, especially around criminal law. People are interested in this stuff and I think they should be.”
Perry said he’s excited to meet the public and have a chance to explain the role of the prosecutor’s office, along with its importance in the community.
“Most people haven’t had to interact with the Commonwealth Attorney, and they don’t necessarily know what we do,” Perry said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to, having conversations with people.”
So far, Baber is the only candidate to officially register to run for Staunton Commonwealth Attorney, according to the Staunton Registrar’s Office. Perry said he expects to register soon. The last day to register is June 17.
Election Day is Nov. 4.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Two running for Staunton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office so far