 Babson declared his candidacy for this newly created chairmanship in January 1967.Babson won the chairmanship the November 1967 election, defeating former Mason District Supervisor Stanford E. Parris and Vienna Mayor James C. Martinelli.In November 1969, Babson resigned as chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, citing the low pay of $10,000 per year for the part-time office as motive.