Well THAT didn’t take long – just hours after Del. Kannan Srinivasan won the Democratic SD32 nomination to replace outgoing State Senator Suhas Subramanyam (headed to the US House from VA10), two candidates have announced for the HD26 Democratic nomination to replace Srinivasan. Nope, the elections never end here in Virginia! 😉
As for HD26, the district is 100% in Loudoun County, is highly diverse (only 36.5% White; 42.5% Asian) and his heavily Democratic (Terry McAuliffe won it 61%-38% in 2021). As for WHEN the special election for this seat might occur, it would presumably be after Srinivasan is elected to the State Senate (special election on 1/7/25), although presumably if he were to resign earlier, there could be a special election to replace him sooner than that? Regardless, it seems that the Democratic nomination will be decided on November 23 – next Saturday! So stay tuned…this is going to move fast!
With that, check out the following two press releases – from businessman/Loudoun County Democratic Committee Treasurer JJ Singh and Loudoun County School Board Member Arben Istrefi, announcing their candidacies for the HD26 Democratic nomination.
P.S. Hearing that the special elections for both SD32 and HD26 will be held on 1/7/25.
LOCAL DEMOCRATIC LEADER JJ SINGH ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR HD-26 DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Singh launches campaign following the Senate primary victory of Del. Srinivasan
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – Today, local Democratic leader JJ Singh launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination for the 26th House District in the Virginia House of Delegates. This announcement follows the successful victory of Delegate Kannan Srinivasan in yesterday’s Democratic Primary for Senate District 32.
Singh released the following statement: “I congratulate Delegate Srinivasan on winning the Democratic nomination for State Senate. He is a dedicated public servant and will be an exceptional leader in the State Senate.
“I am proud to announce my campaign for the upcoming special election in House District 26, in Loudoun County. My family came over from India in 1970 in search of opportunity, and I am the product of their hopes and dreams. Born and raised, right here in Northern Virginia, I’m the proud graduate of our public school system and the University of Virginia. But today, the American dream is in peril. My two daughters have fewer rights than my wife. Gun violence is the number one cause of death for kids. And tuition at our public universities is skyrocketing. When I go to Richmond, I’ll fight for our families, and for the American Dream.”
Singh for Delegate Campaign Manager, Lucas Harrington, also released the following statement: “We have built a campaign to win this primary, hold this critical seat, and protect the Democratic majority in Richmond. We are mobilized and engaged to reach every corner of the 26th district, share JJ’s story, his vision for the community, and why he would be the strongest nominee in the general election. We are excited for the contest ahead.”
JJ Singh has built a life and career on the principles of hard work and serving others. He served in the Peace Corps in Bolivia, with the Obama Budget Office, and as a Senior Policy Advisor to US Senator Chris Coons. In addition, he has run a successful business, preserving quality affordable housing and building commercial real estate. He lives with his wife and two daughters, attendees (current and future) of the Loudoun County Public School System. Singh has served as a Commissioner on the Loudoun County Economic Development Commission and as the elected Treasurer of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.
To learn more about JJ Singh, you can visit his campaign website here.
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Loudoun County School Board Member Arben Istrefi Announces Candidacy for House District 26 Special Election to Protect Democratic Majority
Ashburn, VA – Today, following Kannan Srinivasan’s victory in the firehouse primary to become the Democratic nominee for the VA State Senate District 32, Arben Istrefi (the Sterling District Representative and Vice Chair on the Loudoun County School Board) announced his candidacy for the 26th House District special election to fill Delegate Srinivasan’s soon-to-be vacant seat. The Democratic primary for the special election will most likely take place on November 23rd, less than a week. Last year, Arben successfully won his school board election as the Democratic party endorsed candidate, definitively defeating both a republican and an independent in a three way, nonpartisan race.
Arben is the only Democratic candidate running in the primary who is a current elected official with a proven track record of winning races and achieving results. “We need to protect our majority in the House and need candidates to step forward to fill this seat who have a track record of winning races, advocating for the community, bringing impactful governance and real results, and have the experience pushing back against MAGA extremists. That’s why I decided to run.”, said Arben Istrefi.
“With the uncertainty following Trump’s win, we need leaders in Virginia who will fight for increased funding and support for our public schools, protect reproductive rights and individual freedoms, advance economic opportunity & inclusion, fight for affordable healthcare and housing, and prioritize the issues that will make the most difference in the lives of working families.”
Speaking on his experience on the School Board, Arben said “I fought to bring our focus back to the real work – being relentless in improving academic opportunities and outcomes, serving our most vulnerable students, moving the needle on student
achievement, increasing teacher pay, focusing on the needs of our Title I schools, and bringing innovative solutions and ideas to solve for our biggest challenges. I also fought to push back against reductive and corrosive discourse, to bring nuance and
thoughtfulness back to our discussions, as well as to build back trust and transparency.”
Arben has been endorsed by the following Loudoun County and Commonwealth elected officials and community leaders:
● Loudoun Delegate, David Reid
● Loudoun Delegate, Atoosa Reaser
● Delegate Michelle Moldonado
● Delegate Sam Rasoul (Chair of the House Education Committee)
● State Senator Saddam Salim
● Loudoun County School Board Chair, Melinda Mansfield (Dulles)
● Loudoun County School Board Member, April Chandler (Algonkin)
● Loudoun County School Board Member, Dr. Linda Deans (Broad Run)
● Loudoun County School Board Member, Dr. Sumera Rashid (Little River)
● Alexandria School Board Member Alexandria Council Member-elect, Abdel Elnoubi
● Prince William County Planning Commissioner, Raheel Sheikh
Arben Istrefi is a father, social entrepreneur, and currently the Vice Chair and Sterling District Representative on the Loudoun County School Board. Arben has spent the last six years in the tech and online education space, building educational programs at the intersection of tech, workforce development, and social impact.
Arben is a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to the U.S. and met in ESL night classes. He could not speak English by the time he reached kindergarten. His values are informed by his experiences as a first-generation American in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith family. Arben spent nearly fifteen years as an IT and management consultant in city, state, and federal government. He has also co-founded and served in leadership positions in a number of nonprofits. His passions lie in uplifting and mentoring culturally diverse youth, helping them to chart their own individual leadership journeys, creating spaces that build confidence in combination with skills, and helping them find their voice in the process. He is one of the 2023 NOVA 40Under40 Honorees.
He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School (HBS) and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Seton Hall University’s School of Diplomacy. Arben currently lives in Ashburn, VA with his wife and son.
Campaign website: Arben4va.com
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