Former diplomat Chris Henzel was recently named to Fairfax County’s Electoral Board, for a term of three years. He replaces Steve Hunt, who served on the board for eight years. Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts congratulated Henzel and wished him the best, in a statement issued today.

“Since his retirement from the U.S. Foreign Service, Chris volunteered his time right here in Fairfax, as a county election officer as well as a poll watcher for the party committee,” Knotts said. “He is a true patriot who is thoroughly committed to the principles of free and fair elections.”

Henzel served for 36 years in the U.S. State Department, with a particular focus on the Middle East. After leading Mosul, Iraq’s reconstruction efforts, he went on to direct the State Department’s Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs. More recently, Henzel was our nation’s Ambassador to Yemen, from September 2017 until May 2021.

Tuesday night was Henzel’s first meeting on the Fairfax County Electoral Board. For more information on the board and its meetings, click here. Citizen participation is welcome!