Manassas City Council voted unanimously Monday to elect longtime councilman Ralph Smith as the city's interim mayor, filling the seat left vacant after former Mayor Michelle Parks stepped down. Smith's appointment takes effect Tuesday, and council members and audience members alike greeted the decision with a standing ovation.
The vote capped weeks of deliberation that began after Parks submitted her resignation on Aug. 21, effective Sept. 30, according to Prince William Times. Her term had been scheduled to run through 2028. City officials have offered conflicting accounts of the outgoing mayor's identity: the Prince William Times report names her Michelle Parks, while a City of Manassas web listing instead refers to a Mayor Michelle Davis whose seat became vacant on the same date. Hoodline could not independently resolve the discrepancy.
Three sitting council members — Mark Wolfe, Tom Osina and Smith himself — had expressed interest in the interim post at an Oct. 5 meeting, according to InsideNoVa. Smith said residents and others had encouraged him to seek the position and that he accepted their challenge. He described his priorities as fairness, inclusion and keeping the city's momentum going, per the outlet's reporting.
A Motion, a Unanimous Vote, and a Personal Tribute
At Monday's meeting, Wolfe made the motion to appoint Smith, and the council voted unanimously in favor. Smith told those gathered that he had cast his own vote for himself on behalf of his wife, Loretta, to whom he has been married for more than 60 years. “I am humbled by this opportunity to potentially become the interim mayor for the city of Manassas, and I welcome all of you to join with me on this journey,” Smith said, according to the seed reporting.
Smith promised respectful, fair and impartial public service. He said he plans to meet with the city's executive team about day-to-day operations, maintain progress on major projects already underway, and renew relationships with residents through improved communication. He also said he intends to help ensure a smooth transition as new council members take their seats following the Nov. 3 election.
A Long Council Career Nearing Its End
Smith's elevation closes out a council tenure that began under dramatic circumstances. The Prince William Times reports he joined the council on Aug. 12, 2019, while InsideNoVa's account places his start in July 2019 — the two outlets differ on the exact date. He was initially appointed on an interim basis to replace Ken Elston, who had resigned his seat after taking a position in North Carolina. Smith went on to win a special election that November, then a full term, and was reelected again in 2022.
Smith announced in April that he would not seek reelection to the council when his term ends at the close of this year. He has lived in Manassas for almost 40 years. His resume, as outlined to InsideNoVa, includes more than seven years of municipal government experience and more than two decades with the Social Security Administration, where he worked as a branch manager and senior executive. He also earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, and served as a Manassas election official for more than 20 years.
Beyond city hall, Smith has been active in civic and civil-rights work. He is a past president of the Prince William Branch NAACP and has helped community members navigate housing, employment, justice and public education issues. He has received the Prince William County Human Rights Award, and the Library of Congress has recognized him for community service.
What's Next for the Interim Mayor's Office
Smith's fellow candidates for the role, Wolfe and Osina, both said they intend to run for mayor in the November 2027 election, according to InsideNoVa. Wolfe has served on the council since 2008 and as vice mayor since 2025; Osina had served six years on the council when he submitted his statement of interest and said his priorities would be continuity, accessibility and communication with residents.
Under Virginia law, remaining members of a local governing body may appoint a qualified voter to fill a vacancy within 45 days of the seat opening, according to Virginia Code § 24.2-228. A separate statute, Virginia Code § 24.2-226, establishes that vacancies in elected local offices are generally filled under that same provision. The Manassas City Council had been operating under a 45-day window to act, per the city attorney's guidance cited in the seed reporting.
The Prince William County Circuit Court has issued a writ for a special election for Manassas mayor to be held Nov. 2, 2027. Smith's interim appointment is set to run until that election determines who will serve the remainder of the term.
