On Saturday, September 19, the Fairfax County Republican Committee hosted the Freedom Gala at the Hilton McLean Tysons. Under the banner “Celebrating America, 1776–2026,” Republicans from every corner of the county came together to mark our nation’s 250th anniversary and to recommit to the work ahead.

Honoring Those Who Have Served the Cause

The evening’s program brought together some of the most respected voices in our movement. We are grateful to:

• The Honorable Scott Bessent, our featured speaker
• Governor Glenn Youngkin, our special honoree, who received the Freedom Leadership Award
• Jonathan Turley, Fox News contributor and legal scholar, our special guest
• Jason Miyares, former Attorney General of Virginia
• Wendy Borcherdt, who served in the Reagan and Bush administrations
• Bobbie Kilberg, a veteran of four Republican administrations, who received the Freedom Lifetime Service Award
• Vince Coglianese of WMAL’s The Vince Show, who kept the evening moving as master of ceremonies

Each of our honorees has given years, and in some cases decades, to public service and to the conservative cause. It was a privilege to recognize them in front of the people they have worked alongside.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

An evening like this does not happen without partners willing to invest in it. Our sincere thanks to:

• American Global Medical Services
• Patriot Mobile
• WMAL 105.9 FM
• The National Rifle Association

Thank you as well to every individual donor who took a commission at any rank, from Captain to Commander-in-Chief. Your support funds the grassroots work that wins elections here in Fairfax County.

Thank You to the Gala Committee and Volunteers

The Freedom Gala Committee spent months planning every detail, from the program and the awards to the seating chart and the stage. To the committee members, the FCRC staff and officers, and the volunteers who worked the registration tables and handled the countless small tasks no one sees: thank you. You made it look easy, and we know it wasn’t.

What the Room Told Us

If you only follow the coverage in the liberal press, you would think Republicans in Northern Virginia are discouraged and sitting this one out. The ballroom in McLean told a different story. It was full of volunteers, donors, candidates, and first-time attendees who are ready to knock doors, make calls, and turn out voters this fall.

Enthusiasm for the conservative cause in Fairfax County is as high as we have ever seen it. Now we put that energy to work. Early voting is underway, and every volunteer shift counts between now and Election Day.

To everyone who attended: thank you for showing up, and we’ll see you on the campaign trail.

Volunteer with the Fairfax County Republican Committee