Michael Sutphin was born in Tennessee and raised in Asheville, NC and Williamsburg, VA. He has a bachelor's degree in communication. He has lived in Blacksburg since 2002.

Biographies | Blacksburg, VA

Michael is a communications manager at Community Housing Partners. He previously worked as a public relations coordinator for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, a writer for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and as a reporter and news editor for the Collegiate Times.

Michael is a current town councilor for Blacksburg. He was elected in 2011 and is serving his 4th term. He is currently vice mayor.

Supports renovating the existing Community Center and working towards building a new Recreation Center.

Supports expanding and improving Blacksburg’s trail system and outdoor recreation amenities.

- Supports renovating the existing Community Center and working towards building a new Recreation Center.
- Supports expanding and improving Blacksburg’s trail system and outdoor recreation amenities.

Public Services

As of September 10, 2025, Michael D. Sutphin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

City Budget

Supports revitalizing downtown by enhancing streetscapes and creating retail incubator spaces.

Supports land use policies that create more homes near jobs and infrastructure to reduce commuter traffic and improve quality of life.

Supports implementing land use policies that create diverse housing types for all income levels and resources for small, locally based developers in Blacksburg.

- Supports revitalizing downtown by enhancing streetscapes and creating retail incubator spaces.
- Supports land use policies that create more homes near jobs and infrastructure to reduce commuter traffic and improve quality of life.
- Supports implementing land use policies that create diverse housing types for all income levels and resources for small, locally based developers in Blacksburg.

Housing & Urban Development

Aims to enhance pedestrian safety along Prices Fork, Clay Street, Harding Avenue, and other areas.

- Aims to enhance pedestrian safety along Prices Fork, Clay Street, Harding Avenue, and other areas.

Public Safety

Wants to upgrade the town’s aging water and sewer lines to ensure reliable service for years to come.

Supports enhancing public transportation by expanding Blacksburg Transit service.

Supports transitioning the Blacksburg Transit fleet to all-electric vehicles.

- Wants to upgrade the town’s aging water and sewer lines to ensure reliable service for years to come.
- Supports enhancing public transportation by expanding Blacksburg Transit service.
- Supports transitioning the Blacksburg Transit fleet to all-electric vehicles.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Michael D. Sutphin

Fall 2025 Candidate Forums | MyLO

Michael D. Sutphin's campaign for Blacksburg Mayor is his first entry into politics.

As of September 10, 2025, Michael D. Sutphin did not have a website or any information online.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Virginia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 