Bradford to resign as Northampton Treasurer, Judge to appoint temporary successor before special election

Northampton County Treasurer Cynthia S. Bradford has announced she will resign from office effective March 1, 2026, prompting a court-led process to appoint an interim treasurer and schedule a special election to fill the vacancy.

In a letter dated December 17, 2025, Cynthia S. Bradford formally notified the Chair of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors and the Chief Judge of the Northampton County Circuit Court of her decision to step down for personal reasons. Bradford requested that the court take the necessary steps under the Code of Virginia to set a date for a special election and appoint a qualified interim treasurer.

Bradford noted in her letter that no deputy in the Treasurer’s Office is eligible or willing to serve as interim treasurer, making a court appointment necessary until a successor is elected, qualified, and sworn into office.

County Administrator Matt Spuck said the county has already begun working with its attorney to advance the required legal process. Speaking to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday night, he explained that once the resignation letter was received, which occurred December 17,  the county became responsible for submitting a formal petition to the circuit court.

According to Spuck, the petition will request that the court issue a writ scheduling a special election to coincide with the November 2026 general election. The same petition will also ask the court to appoint an interim treasurer, given that no internal candidate is prepared to step into the role on a temporary basis.

Spuck said the county hopes to submit the petition to the circuit court as early as next week, allowing the transition process to move forward without delay.

The Northampton County Treasurer is a constitutional officer responsible for the collection, safeguarding, and disbursement of county revenues. Court appointment of an interim treasurer is intended to ensure continuity of those essential financial operations until voters select a permanent replacement at the special election.