State Senator Stella Pekarsky, who formerly served on the Fairfax County School Board, is now the second major candidate to announce for the Democratic nomination in VA11. Pekarsky’s announcement follows that of Fairfax County Supervisor James Walkinshaw yesterday (and Walkinshaw’s endorsement by Rep. Gerry Connolly this morning). And I’m hearing that there could be as many as 10 Democrats running for this deep-blue seat, with other names including Del. Dan Helmer and former VA Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn. I’m very curious what the method of nomination for this will be – “firehouse primary?” regular primary? – and when the election will be. So far, at least, Rep. Gerry Connolly hasn’t specified, other than that this will be his last term in Congress (due to declining health, unfortunately)…
As for Stella Pekarsky, I don’t know her well, but from what I’ve seen and to the extent I’ve talked to her, I’ve been impressed. Of course, in the end, it’s going to come down to how many resources each candidate has to communicate with voters, what those voters are looking for exactly (in terms of policy, style, experience, endorsements, gender, ethnicity, whatever). So stay tuned…more candidate announcements coming, I’m sure, as this is just getting started.
Fairfax needs a fighter to stand up to Donald Trump.
He is dismantling our public schools, defying the courts, stripping us of our freedoms, and attacking our federal employees.
But I refuse to back down to this criminal in the White House— That’s why I’m running for Congress. pic.twitter.com/GexwS3FJtZ
— Stella Pekarsky (@sgpekarsky) May 7, 2025
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