Blacksburg Town Council member Liam Watson has just thrown in the towel after a jury slapped him with serious felony convictions.
In a stunning turn of events, Watson was found guilty of two counts of election fraud and one count of illegal voting, leading to his resignation just days before the new year, with an effective date of noon on Jan. 2, 2026.
For Watson's constituents in Blacksburg, this saga raises red flags about trust in local governance and the integrity (or lack) of elected officials.
Let’s rewind to the beginning: On Dec. 10, 2025, a Montgomery County Circuit Court jury convicted Watson on three felony charges tied to his 2023 campaign.
The charges stem from Watson listing a false address on candidate and voter forms, using a Blacksburg rental property tied to outgoing Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith, despite living elsewhere at the time.
Watson’s defense claimed Hager-Smith gave him the green light to use the address as a residency workaround, but she denied any such assurances under oath during the trial.
Fast forward to Dec. 18, 2025, and Watson announced his resignation, just eight days after the verdict dropped like a bombshell.
His exit, while not immediate, gives the council a small window to regroup before the effective date early next year.
Speaking on his decision, Watson said, “After a week of prayerful discernment, I have decided to resign as a member of the Blacksburg Town Council, effective at noon on Jan. 2, 2026.”
He added, “I am heartbroken by the jury’s verdict but respect their decision.” Heartbroken or not, conservatives in Blacksburg might argue that actions speak louder than words, especially when facing up to 25 years behind bars.
Watson’s term wasn’t even set to end until 2027, leaving many to wonder why he didn’t fight harder to stay, given Virginia law allows convicted officials to remain in office during appeals.
His legal team has already filed a motion to challenge the verdict, but the court of public opinion may not be so easily swayed.
In the days after the verdict, council members couldn’t agree on whether Watson should stick around, with some expecting him to be seated in January.
Outgoing Mayor Hager-Smith herself shrugged off the drama, saying, “Whether or not he remained on the council was a matter of political will.” That’s a convenient sidestep for someone whose property address landed Watson in hot water—shouldn’t there be more scrutiny here?
As Blacksburg braces for a leadership shakeup, the bigger question looms: How do we prevent these shenanigans from happening again? Conservatives might argue it’s time for stricter vetting of candidates, not more excuses or progressive leniency on election rules. For a town that prides itself on integrity, this scandal is a wake-up call to demand accountability, not just apologies.
