Renard Carlos announces candidacy for Warrenton mayor

The race for Warrenton’s next mayor will be contested, now that a second person has declared his candidacy over the weekend, challenging Darine Barbour’s bid for the seat.

Former council member Renard Carlos declared his candidacy via a social media post on Jan. 18, calling for unity and problem solving following a contentious year among Warrenton's elected officials.

“I understand both the responsibilities of leadership and the importance of governing with steadiness and care,” Renard wrote. “At a time when our town is seeking stability and thoughtful leadership, experience and institutional knowledge matter — and they are strengths I am prepared to bring to the table from day one.”

Carlos is a serious contender – he ran to become an at-large council member in 2018, two of four candidates to be elected to that position that year. Then, in 2022, he challenged Carter Nevill with a mayoral campaign which critiqued the incumbent mayor on transparency and attracted the support of local activist group, Protect Fauquier.

Data centers weren’t the only issue in that campaign, Carlos focused on affordable housing and local economic growth. Nevill ultimately won, but only with a razor-thin, 11-vote margin.

Last year, Nevill announced he will not run for a third term, at the time saying he hoped for a vigorous 2026 mayoral race with multiple candidates. That wish will come true as Carlos enters the race to challenge Planning Commissioner Darine Barbour for the seat. Barbour announced her intention to run for mayor in December.

When’s he’s not running for office or critiquing council members during citizen’s time, Carlos works as a program officer and outreach for the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit that serves Fauquier, Culpeper, Madison and Rappahannock counties, and serves as a board member of Laurel Ridge Community College.

“Residents can expect my full and best effort every day, guided by a willingness to listen, to bring people to the table, and to thoughtfully consider all sides of an issue,” Carlos wrote. “This campaign will not be about finger-pointing or blame, but about problem-solving, creative thinking, and making the best, most informed decisions for our community. By working together with respect and purpose, we can strengthen Warrenton and move our town forward with confidence.”

Reach Tate Hewitt at thewitt@fauquier.com.

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