This one’s been rumored for weeks…Fairfax County School Board/Sully District member (since January 2020) Stella Pekarsky (D) will be running against State Senator George Barker (D) for the nomination in the new 36th State Senate district (western Fairfax County – Chantilly, Centreville; deep-blue, 60.4% McAuliffe district). Personally, I’m very interested in Pekarsky’s candidacy, as I’m not pleased with Sen. Barker due to his prominent role in the fiasco over the Virginia redistricting amendment, which Barker pushed VERY hard despite the fact that it was strongly supported by Republicans; that it was a complete mess (not just the amendment, but the commission); and that people were warned – over and over and over and over and over and over and over again – NOT to support it. Did Sen. Barker listen? Heck no. Anyway, I look forward to hearing more about Pekarsky’s platform, priorities, positions on the issues, etc., but as I said, I’m very interested in her candidacy…
School Board Member Pekarsky Announces Virginia Senate Candidacy
Nearly 94% of New 36th District Has No Incumbent Running – Pekarsky Represents Majority of the District on the School Board
CENTREVILLE, VA – Today, Fairfax County School Board Member and former Chair, Stella Pekarsky, announced she will seek the Democratic nomination to represent the new 36th district in the Virginia Senate. Following last year’s redistricting, nearly 94 percent of voters in the new, strongly Democratic district have no incumbent Senator running. Pekarsky, a first generation immigrant, small business owner, mother, and former public school teacher who represents the vast majority of the new district on the School Board, said she will stand up to Governor Youngkin’s attacks on public education, abortion access, and voting rights, as well as corporate money influence in Richmond.
“We are at a critical turning point as a Commonwealth where the lived experiences of our elected officials matter more than ever. The new 36th district deserves a Senator who has deep roots in the community with a long record of serving its residents and the bold energy it takes to stand up to Governor Youngkin’s extreme policies. As Chair of the School Board, I led the charge when we successfully sued Youngkin to protect our children against anti-science Executive overreach just days after he was sworn into office,” said Pekarsky. “I am focused on the future prosperity of the 36th district and its residents. It is critical that we protect abortion access, high quality public education, expanded voting rights, champion climate change solutions, and stand up for our progressive values. I look forward to talking with my neighbors in the weeks and months ahead as I seek to represent them in Richmond.”
Pekarsky was elected to the School Board in 2019 after defeating a Republican incumbent, winning with the largest margin of votes against any incumbent in Fairfax County School Board history. She has served as the board’s Chair and invested more than $100 million in school infrastructure upgrades throughout the 36th district. At a time when public education is under attack, Pekarsky has prioritized closing opportunity gaps, increasing teacher and staff pay, improving title IX training for students, and requiring research-based literacy instruction.
To learn more about her campaign, visit: StellaPekarsky.com
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
