Shawn Priest, a lifelong resident of Leesburg and the town’s former Mayor, is seeking a return to local governance as a candidate for the Village Council. Drawing on deep family roots in civic life and decades of professional experience, Ms. Priest is running on a platform centered on securing grant-funded projects and ensuring the continued vitality of the community.

Ms. Priest’s connection to local politics is familial, with both her father and mother having served on the Village Council, and her mother eventually serving as Mayor for six years. Professionally, she was a school teacher for 39 years, a career she credits with developing the necessary skills to work with diverse groups and discuss differing opinions constructively. Beyond teaching, her record of civic involvement includes leadership positions with groups such as the Highland County American Cancer Society and the Highland County Republican Women's.

Her decision to run, she noted, stems from a desire to maintain a "say so" in the town’s direction and to follow through on initiatives launched during her time as Mayor. As the only person running for the four open council seats, her campaign focus is practical and project-oriented. The centerpiece of her platform is the finalization of the Appalachian Project, which involves significant improvements to the roadside park. This development is slated to include new amenities like a gymnasium, playground equipment, and a splash pad for children, alongside the installation of permanent bathroom facilities. In the long term, she also envisions the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the roadside park and the baseball field, aiming to improve accessibility and safety for residents. Additionally, she intends to focus on attracting new businesses, referencing work at the industrial park, and utilizing grants to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades.

Ms. Priest offers a unique perspective informed by her deep connection to the town. She refers to herself as the community's "Griot," or oral historian, possessing knowledge of the town's history that spans generations. She also volunteers at the Highland County Board of Elections, an experience that has given her firsthand knowledge of the voting process and allows her to assure residents of the safety and "checks and balances" in place to protect the integrity of their vote.

With her primary first-year goal being the successful completion of the Appalachian Project and its recreational features, Ms. Priest states she is committed to working collaboratively with the Mayor and other employees to guide the village's continued growth, pledging to do her "very best for Leesburg".