Ryan McElveen Running for Bulova Seat (VA)

[Anonymous]

School Board member Ryan McElveen has announced that he will challenge Jeff McKay to succeed Sharon Bulova as Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

It seems like quite a leap from an at-large School Board seat to chairing the BOS.

Why would he think he is qualified for this position with no prior experience on the BOS?

[Anonymous]

Ryan thinks he knows everything and can do anything so I’m not surprised. I don’t agree with his politics at all (especially when it comes to the School Board) but he works hard.

-High school classmate

[Anonymous]

He is very unprofessional.

[Anonymous]

The school board will be better off without him, so there is that...

[Anonymous]

It seemed like Jeff McKay was the anointed successor to Sharon Bulova. I guess Ryan thinks he can compete with McKay because students like it when he tells them school is delayed?

I think he’s going to learn that Fairfax isn’t quite as “progressive” as he thinks (although, let’s be honest, McElveen has never done anything on the School Board that would really threaten the status quo, like advocating for the closure of TJHSST, the downsizing of bloated AAP and IB programs, or controversial boundary changes), and that he’s shooting himself in the foot by challenging McKay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seemed like Jeff McKay was the anointed successor to Sharon Bulova. I guess Ryan thinks he can compete with McKay because students like it when he tells them school is delayed?

I think he’s going to learn that Fairfax isn’t quite as “progressive” as he thinks (although, let’s be honest, McElveen has never done anything on the School Board that would really threaten the status quo, like advocating for the closure of TJHSST, the downsizing of bloated AAP and IB programs, or controversial boundary changes), and that he’s shooting himself in the foot by challenging McKay.

Well, face it. If he is anything, it is ambitious. Sitting on the SB another term isn't going to get him anything but another $32,000. The question is, does he expect something out of this if he loses?

I don't know anything about McKay. Is he a good campaigner--because I think that is something McElveen enjoys.

[Anonymous]

Also, Phil Niedzelski-Eichner is also now challenging Dalia Palchik and Erika Yalowitz for the Providence seat on the BOS being vacated by Linda Smyth.

[Anonymous]

Anything that will push FFX farther left is worth supporting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also, Phil Niedzelski-Eichner is also now challenging Dalia Palchik and Erika Yalowitz for the Providence seat on the BOS being vacated by Linda Smyth.

I think that he was a little more reasonable than some on the SB.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also, Phil Niedzelski-Eichner is also now challenging Dalia Palchik and Erika Yalowitz for the Providence seat on the BOS being vacated by Linda Smyth.

I think that he was a little more reasonable than some on the SB.

+1. I’m glad to see him back in the mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anything that will push FFX farther left is worth supporting

What?!no. Fairfax is liberal enough. Not trying to turn into Arlington, thanks.

[Anonymous]

He seems like a doofus who tries too hard at wanting the kids to like him.

[Anonymous]

That promposal was weird and uncomfortable

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That promposal was weird and uncomfortable

If I were his opponent, that would be front and center.

[Anonymous]

McElveen lives in Dranesville, where John Foust is running for re-election to the BOS. So his only option was to run for Chair, even though the Democratic political establishment in NoVa had made it clear that they supported Jeff McKay, who has represented the Lee District on the BOS since 2007.

I'd expect McKay to play hardball and point out McElveen's thin resume and limited qualifications for a BOS seat. It would be disappointing if he did not. McElveen will get some votes from FCPS graduates who remember him as the guy who announced before FCPS when school was closing, and hopefully the majority will vote for McKay in the primary.