Election News & Analysis
On the good news front, Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) was re-elected to another term, ensuring that Fairfax will have at least one voice of common sense on the county board. With 54 percent of the vote, Herrity’s margin of victory was considerably wider than his 51 percent share four years ago.
Elsewhere in Fairfax County, Republican candidates fell short of victory — although in several races, the GOP share of the vote increased significantly from 2019. Most notably, in the Sully Magisterial District, GOP-endorsed school board candidate Cynthia Walsh garnered 45 percent of the vote — up from 41 percent for the GOP endorsee in 2019. On the county board side, GOP nominee for Sully Supervisor Keith Elliott won 40 percent of the vote — up from 37 percent for the GOP nominee four years earlier.
Nhan Huynh’s Rally for Virginia
JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF NHAN HUYNH‘S CAMPAIGN FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY!
FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS:
- Rich Anderson, Chairman of Republican Party of Virginia
- Steve Knotts, Chairman of Fairfax County Republican Committee
- Mike Ginsberg, Chairman of 11th Congressional District Republicans
- Harold Pyon, Attorney General Outreach Office and Korean-American Community Leader
- Matt Truong, Vice President of Vietnamese American Community of DC-MD-VA
Throughout the evening, you can expect inspiring speeches, engaging discussions, and a chance to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for creating a brighter future. Together, we can win this election and take back Virginia!
Fairfax Democrats Move Even Further Left
In Tuesday’s primary elections, the hard left solidified its hold over the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. Soros-funded Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano was nominated for a second term, notwithstanding a significant rise in crime during his tenure. Fairfax Democrats also nominated current school board members for higher offices, despite a record of extended school closures, lower standards, and falling test scores. Notably, moderate Democrat Chap Petersen was ousted by leftist Saddam Salim in Senate District 37. Salim will face Republican Ken Reid, a former Leesburg supervisor, in November.
To All Who Protect and Serve: Thank You
May 15 was Peace Officers Memorial Day, established to honor all law enforcement professionals who sacrificed their lives to protect others. The entire week of May 14 – 20 is National Police Week. “Too often, Fairfax County’s rank-and-file law enforcement officers have been unfairly devalued and even demonized by ideological zealots,” Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts said today. “Our county’s men and women in blue deserve our thanks and our support.”
Governor Glenn Youngkin honored the Commonwealth’s law enforcement officers during a ceremony in Virginia Beach. “May God protect and bless Virginia’s law enforcement professionals and their families,” the governor tweeted on Thursday.
GOP Condemns Attack on Connolly’s Fairfax Office
A man wielding a metal bat assaulted two staffers on Monday inside the Fairfax office of Congressman Gerry Connolly. The suspect was arrested and later identified as 49-year-old Xuan-Kha Tran Pham. The motive for Monday’s attack is currently unknown.
“All of us were shocked and outraged to learn of today’s attack in Fairfax. Our hearts go out to Congressman Connolly, his staff, and their loved ones,” Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts said Monday afternoon. “Everyone — whether a public servant or private citizen — deserves to feel safe in their place of employment.”
Fairfax GOP Endorses Commonsense, Reform-Minded School Board Candidates
Voting members of the Fairfax GOP filled the room last night to consider endorsements in Fairfax County’s critical races for school board. After the votes were tallied, the following endorsees were announced:
– Cassandra Aucoin (At-Large)
– Saundra Davis (At-Large)
– Priscilla DeStefano (Braddock District)
– Paul Bartkowski (Dranesville District)
– Harry Jackson (Hunter Mill District)
– Kristin Ball (Mason District)
– Stori Zimmerman (Mount Vernon District)
– Tony Sabio (Providence District)
– Debra Tisler (Springfield District)
– Cindy Walsh (Sully District)
Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts congratulated the newly-endorsed candidates in a tweet last night: “We added 13 great candidates to our roster tonight who are bringing fresh ideas to Fairfax County — on to victory in November!”
Fairfax GOP Condemns Indictment of Former President
A Manhattan grand jury indicted former President Donald Trump on Thursday — a first in American history.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin denounced what he called the indictment’s “manufactured basis” in a Thursday night tweet. “It is beyond belief that District Attorney Alvin Bragg has indicted a former President and current presidential candidate for pure political gain. Arresting a presidential candidate on a manufactured basis should not happen in America,” Youngkin wrote. “The left’s continued attempts to weaponize our judicial system erode people’s faith in the American justice system and it needs to stop.”
Fairfax GOP Endorses Harmeet Dhillon for RNC Chair
Members of the Fairfax GOP voted on Tuesday to endorse Harmeet Dhillon for chair of the Republican National Committee. ” On Wednesday, Dhillon welcomed the Fairfax GOP’s endorsement, calling it “huge news.” Fairfax County is home to 1.1 million residents — and the Fairfax GOP is the Republican Party of Virginia’s largest political unit.
Republican National Committee members will vote to elect a chair on January 27. Each state has three national committee members. Virginia Republicans are represented by Richard Anderson, Morton Blackwell, and Patricia Lyman. To date, Blackwell and Lyman have indicated their support of Dhillon. Anderson remains undecided.
Republican Jeffrey Shapiro Named to County Electoral Board
The Fairfax County Republican Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeffrey Shapiro as the newest member of the Fairfax County Electoral Board. He will replace Bettina Lawton, who is completing her three-year term. Shapiro will begin serving his three-year term on January 1, 2023.
Shapiro attended Brown University, graduating magna cum laude in 1983 with a degree in history. He then attended Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 1986. He practiced as a corporate litigator for five years and then joined the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) in the U.S. Department of Justice, serving under both President Bush and President Clinton.
INTERVIEW: Steve Knotts on O’Connor & Company
Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts joined WMAL’s O’Connor & Company to discuss the nation’s ongoing border crisis as well as the county’s reckless sanctuary policies. “It comes down to public safety,” Knotts said. “We need — somehow, someway — to lock down the border and have a process for people to immigrate legally.”
The chairman’s interview followed revelations that a Herndon resident linked to numerous sex crimes was in the country illegally. Knotts reminded listeners that Fairfax Democrats decided to make the county a “sanctuary” for criminal aliens, forbidding local authorities from cooperating with ICE.