Political Profile: Coles District Supervisor Marty Nohe

“The day supervisor candidates Kathleen Seeselt and Greg Cepulla spoke to my school is when I knew I wanted to work in local government.”

Now, after serving eight years and currently running for reelection, Coles Supervisor Marty Nohe believes he made the right choice.

Prince William County Upbringing

Nohe was the son of a military officer based in Fort Belvoir. He grew up in Prince
William County for most of his life, attending Kilby Elementary, Fred Lynn Middle
School and Woodbridge Senior High School.

“Being raised in the military lifestyle bred a sense of discipline, duty, and service,” Nohe said.

Living in Prince William county allowed him to turn those traits into a passion for
community service.

“Learning what you learn with a military family created a real love for the community.” he said.

At Woodbridge High School, Nohe's interest in politics began to take shape. He was a member Forensics and Debate and Vice President of his student government.

Nohe would later receive his undergraduate in Economics at George Mason University and his graduate at the University of Virginia Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership.

“Throughout college, I worked for my family’s company, Appliance Connection. By working there I was able to pay off my college tuition, which taught me the value of work ethic—a trait that is still a part of me," Nohe said.

After college, Nohe became president of his family business and was taking small steps towards a political career.

Personal Life

Nohe was at a political fundraiser in Petersburg, Virginia when he met his wife, Kristina. She lived in Virginia Beach at the time. The two later married in September of 2002.

“Collectively, we decided on our honeymoon that I would run for the Supervisor
position,” Nohe said.

Nohe is the father of four children, Rachel, Nicholas, Jack, and Theodore; two of which he adopted.

Faith plays an important role in the Nohe’s life and he and his wife won the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute's 'Angels in Adoption' award in 2006.

“We initially adopted Rachel and Nicholas, believing it was going to be a temporary situation. After several months, we realized they were too much a part of our family to let them leave” Nohe said.

Nohe was a teacher before he made the switch towards official positions. Nohe has served in the public and private sectors.

He has served on committees and boards ranging from public safety and administration, national resource conservation, transportation, and child welfare and advocacy.

Political Career

“When I ran, my concern was not whether I was going to win, it was about working for the people. What matters is what you do after the election,” Nohe said.

Nohe would be elected as Coles Supervisor in 2003. He used what he learned in the business field and previous leadership positions to help him in his new field.

“Serving a customer is how businesses stay operating. Being a coach is about giving back. Politics combines the two into a sense of service,” Nohe said.

Nohe would go on to win the election against Democrat Victor D. Bras and his reelection was unchallenged in 2007.

He serves on a eight-person body, which oversees public safety, economy, transportation, land use and human service.

“While serving on the county board, I enjoyed working on the less high profile cases. These cases that don’t get so much attention are what makes a big difference in peoples' lives,” Nohe said.

Nohe has served on the board for eight years, but is still not done yet.

“I was uncertain a year ago about running, but I prayed and made the decision to run again. I believed that public opinion will decide whether or not I was deserving,” Nohe said.

If reelected, Nohe hopes to continue Prince Williams County’s pursuit of a booming economy.

“The economy will be the main concern, but we also want this to be a great place to live,” Nohe said.

Prince William County was voted one of the 100 best communities for youth by
America‘s Promise Alliance. “Winning such a distinction was a highlight of my term,” he said.

Nohe wants to be remembered as an individual who made a difference.

“I govern under the philosophy of making a difference. I am someone with passion and a lover for what he does,” he added.

Editor's Note: (website, Facebook) is the Republican incumbent  running against Democrat Anthony Arnold (website, Facebook, Twitter) for Coles District Supervisor in the Nov. 8 elections.