Anonymous wrote:I'll be researching to identify the candidates opposed to the Tyson's casino. Blindly favoring typical D policy issues of higher taxes and more wealth transfer is less relevant to me than the prospect of a casino in my backyard, a notion which gained traction only in the wake of massive political donations to elected officials who would not have to personally live with the consequences. Which candidate is taking a principled position on that subject, rather than one driven by campaign donations from those who will profit from it?

Anonymous wrote:Well, Stella has lots of money being spent. TV commercial tonight. Second large flyer today. One small flyer from Shin. Big flyer from Roma. No issues mentioned. Just helping in Afghanistan.

Anonymous wrote:Gerry Connolly, who has represented VA-11 in Congress for some time, has announced he is not seeking re-election due to health regions (a recurrence of cancer, unfortunately).

He has endorsed James Walkinshaw, the current Braddock District member of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors, to succeed him. Walkinshaw was also previously Connolly's chief of staff for almost a decade in Congress.

Separately, Stella Pekarsky, a current member of the Virginia state member and FCPS School Board member, has also announced she is seeking Connolly's seat.

Walkinshaw has impressed me as a thoughtful member of the Board of Supervisors. He would look out for NoVa residents, including federal employees, and be a consistent, principled voice of opposition to the dangerous policies of Donald Trump. Conversely, Pekarsky was one of the least impressive School Board members in recent FCPS history. She was part of the group that kept schools in Fairfax closed for many months, and did nothing during her four years on the School Board to address the overcrowding at Chantilly HS, which the kids of many of her constituents attended. She rolled over when other Democrats like Karen Corbett Sanders and Karl Frisch pushed through unnecessary capital projects that diverted spending to schools in their districts. She is loud and obnoxious, but rarely in command of the facts. The Republicans on Capital Hill would chew her up and spit her out, and she would be easily ridiculed by the right-wing media.

Walkinshaw is by far the better choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Walkinshaw is our local representative and I was impressed by him. He always comes to our annual HOA meeting and is helpful, explains what’s happening at the county level, takes notes to get back to people if necessary, and just generally seems interested in helping people and being responsive.

LOL. I joke that Walkinshaw is my DH's new BFF. DH has called his office twice in the last few years to complain about lack of snow plowing and street light issues. Both were taken care of immediately.

I was not happy with Pekarsky on the FCPS Board. Walkinshaw it is. I don't care if people call him a career politician. We have seen what a celebrity businessman does.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Walkinshaw is our local representative and I was impressed by him. He always comes to our annual HOA meeting and is helpful, explains what’s happening at the county level, takes notes to get back to people if necessary, and just generally seems interested in helping people and being responsive.

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.

Anonymous wrote:The "firehouse primary" for the Dems is June 28 from 7 AM - 7 PM. It might not be at your usual polling place. Find where to vote (and all the candidates) here: https://www.cd11votes.com/

Early voting is at the Government Center June 24-26 from 3 - 8 PM.

Anonymous wrote:I’m disappointed with the field. Walkinshaw is nothing more than a career politician who will do little except ride Connolly’s posthumous coattails. Pekarsky embodies the worst of northern Virginia Democrats (pro-casino and mucking up FCPS finances for starters). I’ll probably cast my vote for Roma.