Who's Raising The Most Money In Fairfax City's 11-Way Council Race?

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Steve Chang has raised more money in 2026 than any of the 11 candidates seeking six seats on the Fairfax City Council, followed by incumbent Anthony Amos and María José Padmore, according to a Patch analysis of campaign finance reports filed through Aug. 31.

Chang reported $23,180 in contributions during 2026, while Amos raised $20,912.50 and Padmore raised $17,394. Together, the three candidates accounted for more than 60 percent of the contributions reported by the 11 council candidates.

Collectively, the candidates reported about $102,800 in 2026 contributions through Aug. 31. The totals include monetary and in-kind contributions but exclude candidate loans, refunds and other receipts.

Chang, Amos And Padmore Lead Fundraising

Chang's fundraising has been dominated by a $20,000 contribution from Solid Construction, accounting for more than 86 percent of the $23,180 his campaign raised through August.

His other contributors included former Virginia Sen. Chap Petersen, who gave a combined $1,300, as well as $500 contributions from Rick Dickson and Eunice Lee.

Chang reported $17,304.82 in cash remaining at the end of August after $6,875.46 in election-cycle disbursements.

Amos, an incumbent council member, was second with $20,912.50 in contributions during 2026.

His campaign accelerated during the latest reporting period, when he raised $8,542.50 between July 24 and Aug. 31. William Fields provided $5,000, the largest contribution during the period. Great American Restaurants contributed $1,000, West Springfield Car Care contributed $600 and Christopher Roberts gave $500.

Amos ended August with $20,136.67 in cash, the largest cash balance among the council candidates. His committee reported $7,101.45 in election-cycle disbursements.

Padmore ranked third with $17,394 in 2026 contributions, including $10,620 during the latest reporting period.

Her largest contribution was $5,000 from SEIU Virginia 512, the labor union representing public-sector and other workers in Virginia. Jeff Berntsen, chief of staff for SEIU Virginia 512, separately contributed $120 personally.

Padmore also drew contributions from a number of Democratic elected officials in Northern Virginia.

Del. Michelle Maldonado contributed a combined $1,750. Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez gave $1,000. Friends of Jeff McKay, the campaign committee associated with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, contributed $500.

Padmore also received contributions from Del. Gretchen Bulova, who represents Fairfax City in the House of Delegates; Friends of Saddam Azlan Salim, the campaign committee of the state senator who represents Fairfax City; Supervisor Jimmy Bierman; former Del. Elizabeth Guzman; and Fairfax City Mayor Catherine Read.

Padmore reported $14,027.65 in cash on hand at the end of August and $4,016.35 in election-cycle disbursements.

Kuiler Fundraising Spans Two Committees

Susan Hartley Kuiler's 2026 finances are more complicated because she raised money through two committees.

Her former Citizens for Susan Kuiler committee, which had been registered for a mayoral campaign, reported $4,818.71 in 2026 contributions from Kuiler herself before closing. Kuiler also repaid $6,000 in loans to herself through that committee.

Her new Susan Hartley Kuiler For Fairfax City Council committee subsequently raised $4,465 through Aug. 31.

Taken together, Kuiler's two committees reported $9,283.71 in 2026 contributions. Of that amount, $4,818.71 came from Kuiler herself.

Among contributors to her council committee were Chang, who personally contributed $1,000, and Chang4Fairfax, which contributed another $500. Petersen contributed a combined $800, while Richard O. Dickson contributed $500.

Kuiler's current council committee ended August with $2,016.93 in cash.

Kelly O'Brien followed with $8,417.21 in contributions through Aug. 31. Her campaign raised $2,905.04 during the latest reporting period and finished August with $425.66 in cash after reporting $7,996.55 in election-cycle disbursements.

Sandi Slappey Brown raised $8,173 in contributions. Her campaign also received $3,450 in loans, which are not included in that contribution total. Brown ended August with $4,142.56 in cash and $3,450 in outstanding debt.

Her contributors included former Fairfax City Councilmember Janice Miller and Laura Stokes, chair of the City of Fairfax Democratic Committee.

Hall, McQuillen And Lough Report Smaller Totals

Incumbent Stacy Hall reported $7,204.58 in 2026 contributions.

Among Hall's largest contributors were W. Bruce Jennings, owner of Fairfax City Self Storage, who gave $1,000, and Christopher Smith, managing principal of Ox Hill Companies, who contributed $1,000.

Former Fairfax City Mayor Steven Stombres contributed a combined $1,000, while David Fogg gave a combined $750 and Douglas Church contributed a combined $950.

Hall reported $3,259.30 in cash on hand at the end of August and $744.56 in unpaid debt.

Incumbent Rachel McQuillen reported $4,640.45 in 2026 contributions.

Her contributors included Jennings, who gave $1,000; Richard O. Dickson, who gave $500; Stombres, who contributed $500; and Chang, who gave $500.

McQuillen ended August with $2,448.71 in cash after $3,189.55 in election-cycle disbursements.

Jessica Lough raised $3,270.74 in contributions. Her donors included a $500 contribution from a donor named Steve Chang, $500 from Rick Dickson and $500 from Stombres. Lough ended August with $769.09 in cash and $215.89 in debt.

Stephen Kim's committee reported $300 in receipts, $234 in cash and $300 in unpaid debt at the end of August. Russell Jones reported no contributions during 2026 and had $89.50 remaining in his campaign account.

2026 Fairfax City Council Fundraising

Based on contributions reported through Aug. 31, the candidates' fundraising totals were:

1. Steve Chang — $23,180
2. Anthony Amos — $20,912.50
3. María José Padmore — $17,394
4. Susan Hartley Kuiler — $9,283.71 across two 2026 committees
5. Kelly O'Brien — $8,422.21
6. Sandi Slappey Brown — $8,173
7. Stacy Hall — $7,204.58
8. Rachel McQuillen — $4,640.45
9. Jessica Lough — $3,270.74
10. Stephen Kim — $300
11. Russell Jones — $0

The figures represent contributions rather than total receipts. That distinction matters because several candidates loaned money to their campaigns, some committees entered 2026 with money already in their accounts and some reports include refunds or other receipts.

Kuiler's total is also not directly comparable to the other candidates because $4,818.71 was contributed to her previous committee before she opened her current City Council campaign committee. Her current council committee reported $4,465 in contributions.

Candidates Run As Independents

The fundraising takes place against an unusual political backdrop in Fairfax City, where candidates for city offices appear on the ballot as independents even though political organizations may endorse candidates.

The City of Fairfax Democratic Committee has recommended Amos, Slappey Brown, O'Brien and Padmore for council.

Five council candidates — Hall, McQuillen, Kuiler, Lough and Chang — are participating in a separate “Common Ground” campaign with mayoral candidate Tom Peterson. The candidates have said they remain individual campaigns while coordinating around shared local priorities.

Those affiliations do not change the candidates' independent designation on the ballot.

Fairfax City voters will elect six council members from the field of 11 candidates in the Nov. 3 general election.

City Council Candidate Campaign Reports

• $5K Donation Helps Amos Raise Nearly $21K In 2026 Fairfax City Council Campaign
• $20K Construction Company Donation Drives Chang's Fairfax City Council Fundraising
• Slappey Brown Raises More Than $8K In Fairfax City Council Campaign
• $1K Ox Hill Contribution Among Donations To Stacy Hall's Fairfax City Council Campaign
• Russell Jones Reports No Contributions In Fairfax City Council Campaign Through August
• Stephen Kim Reports No Contributions In Fairfax City Council Campaign
• Susan Hartley Kuiler Reports $4,465 Raised For Fairfax City Council Campaign
• Jessica Lough Raises $3.3K In Fairfax City Council Campaign
• McQuillen Raises $4.6K In 2026 Fairfax City Council Campaign
• Democratic Officials Among Donors As Padmore Raises $17.4K In Fairfax City Council Race
• Kelly O’Brien Raises $8.4K In Fairfax City Council Campaign