A few minutes ago, Fairfax County Board Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence), announced that she will not be seeking reelection in 2019 (see video, below), setting that magisterial district up for what likely will be an interesting race to succeed her. Smyth was first elected in November 2003, defeating “slow growth advocate Becky Cate” in the Democratic caucus, then defeating Republican James E. Hyland. My history with Smyth mainly involves my support for her Democratic opponent, Charlie Hall (founder of Fairfax Citizens for Responsible Growth), in 2007, a race that Hall lost by a narrow 2,308-2023 margin. So far, one Democrat – Erika Yalowitz – has announced for the Providence District seat, while at least one more – Fairfax County School Board Member Dalia Palchik – is widely rumored to be a likely candidate as well.
[UPDATE: I’m told that former Vienna town council member Edythe Kelleher might also be running] I’ll be watching this one closely, as it’s an opportunity to elect a strong progressive and environmentalist to the Fairfax County Board.
P.S. Expectations are that Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova also will announce soon, possibly today, that she will not be running for reelection. I’ve also heard that Supervisor Kathy Hudgins might not run for reelection; stay tuned!
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