This could be interesting…someone named Tim Chapman has announced (see below) that he’ll be running for Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors against Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay, who has been endorsed by numerous elected officials (current/retiring Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova; Supervisors Penny Gross, Dan Storck, Cathy Hudgins, Kathy Smith; Rep. Gerry Connolly; AG Mark Herring; State Senators Dave Marsden, Adam Ebbin, Barbara Favola, George Barker; Delegates Mark Sickles, Paul Krizek, Eileen Filler-Corn, Vivian Watts; etc.). I checked VPAP, and Chapman has an, uh, eclectic donor history – $50k to Tom Perriello, $35k to Terry McAuliffe’s Common Good VA PAC, $25k to Ralph Northam’s Inaugural Committee, $15k to Ralph Northam, $10k to Justin Fairfax, $5k to Mark Herring, but also…$15k to far-right Republican Ken Cuccinelli (!!!) and $4k to Republican Sean Connaughton. So…clearly Chapman has lots of money, but for me to even CONSIDER him, he’d have to pass my “Jim Webb Test” with flying colors. If not…it’s doubtful.
P.S. I’ve been told that it’s absolutely not true that the Fairfax County Democratic Committee is “may consider a caucus rather than a primary,” as Chapman claims…
P.P.S. I’m really curious whether or not Republican Pat Herrity will run for Board Chair, or whether Republicans will even field a candidate in deep-blue Fairfax County.
I’ve made a decision to run for Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. There hasn’t been a competitive primary for this office in decades and perhaps this is why one of the wealthiest counties in America has settled for effectively ignoring a crisis in affordable housing, sending its children to school in trailers, for not paying our teachers and firefighters and police officers what they deserve, and for the horrific traffic that imprisons us in our cars and steals away precious moments with our children and families. It’s time for an election and not a coronation; where the best ideas about solving the problems of the future are put forward and debated and judged by the voters. I believe we can do better.
As far as my political views, through the years I have voted for and donated to Democrats, Independents and Republicans. Now, I am so disgusted by today’s out of the mainstream Trum-publicans that I realize the only successful path forward is the compassion of a strongly progressive Democratic platform. It’s essential that we fight for the little guy against often rigged politics which seem to benefit the wealthy and well connected, while leaving those hard working families who are the backbone of Fairfax County to struggle to make the everyday choices that many of us take for granted.
My own life experiences have taught me to have an overwhelming, unwavering compassion for the less fortunate. I know what it feels like to be judged rather than understood, to experience the pain, fear and anxiety of being homeless. But I have also enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, an inherent privilege which afforded me the opportunity for a second chance and another second chance. Without question, I have worked hard for every step forward I have accomplished, and I own every step backwards I have caused myself, but to ignore or deny this privilege would be like denying climate change. I am living proof that with grit and determination, one, if provided the opportunity, can overcome obstacles and succeed beyond their wildest dreams. I now live in Vienna with my wife and our 5 children. I’ve built a successful affordable housing development company. I chaired the Virginia Housing Development Authority at the request of Governor McAuliffe.
The privilege and honor of serving as Fairfax County Chair should not be just handed off to the next insider, I’m going to offer an alternative path and bring the change that Fairfax County needs and deserves. I believe that, together, we can and must do better.
Over the next two weeks I will be with my family enjoying the holiday and preparing to take on the establishment. An establishment which may consider a caucus rather than a primary which would return to the days of backroom politics.
I am looking forward to meeting as many of you as I possibly can on the the campaign trail in 2019. Fairfax County needs a robust discussion about your hopes and your dreams for our collective future. I cannot tell you how excited I am to hear from you. We will work together to ensure that with a fresh set of eyes, compassion for our neighbors, and a commitment to progressive values, our best days are yet to come.
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