RESULTS: Fairfax County Democratic Committee Endorses Karen Keys-Gamarra, Abrar Omeish, Rachna Sizemore-Heizer As At-Large School Board Candidates

Heading into last night’s Fairfax County Democratic Committee endorsement meeting for at-large School Board candidates, I was four-for-four in my endorsements to date: Melanie Meren (Hunter Mill District),  Karl Frisch (Providence District); Ricardy Anderson (Mason District); Laura Jane Cohen (Springfield District) all won their respective endorsements. For last night, I had endorsed Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Karen Keys-Gamarra and Abrar Omeish, although I also greatly respect incumbent Ilryong Moon (thank you for your great service all these years!), making this a tough one to pick three candidates for four slots. As for the process being followed last night, a great deal has been said – including by me – about how this is *not* how Democrats should endorse and/or nominate candidates. Among other problems, this really restricts the number of people who can vote; it greatly lessens the need for incumbents to campaign and make their case to voters; it leads to all kinds of attempts to “game the system,” such as having people “join” the committee with absolutely no intent of being active members; etc.  Let’s hope that the Fairfax County Democrats never do this again. Ever.

With that, see below for the results from tonight’s FCDC endorsement meeting. Congratulations to all the endorsees – Karen Keys Gamarra, Abrar Omeish, Rachna Sizemore-Heizer (my three endorsed candidates, making me 7 for 7 in endorsements) for the At-Large positions, plus the previously endorsed candidates for magisterial district positions (Karl Frisch in Providence District, Ricardy Anderson in Mason District, Melenie Meren in Hunter Mill District, Laura Jane Cohen in Springfield District, Stella Pekarsky in Sully District, Elaine Tholen in Dranesville District, incumbents Karen Corbett Sanders in Mt. Vernon District, Megan McLaughlin in Braddock District, Tamara Derenak Kaufax in Lee District)  and best of luck in the general election this coming November! Note that Fairfax Republicans have apparently opted to become even more extreme/fringe than they already have been, with people like…these. So yeah, Fairfax Democrats really need to make sure they turn out this November and prevent any of the Republicans from winning their election. That is, if they want a great School Board of talented, caring, smart, competent, experienced people — not one that’s not filled with anti-LGBT, pro-Confederate, anti-science nutters, bigots and cranks.