Who Fairfax City Democrats Are Backing In The 2026 Local Election

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — The City of Fairfax Democratic Committee announced its recommended candidates for mayor and City Council in the 2026 local election, along with its position on a proposed sales tax for schools.

The committee recommended Kirsten Lockhart for mayor. Its four recommended City Council candidates are incumbent Anthony Amos, Sandi Slappey Brown, María José Padmore and Kelly O’Brien.

Laura Stokes, the committee’s chair, said the group selected candidates it believes will listen to residents, work with local and state partners and emphasize transparency, inclusion and innovation in city government.

Committee Describes Its Selection Process

“We are proud to recommend this outstanding group of candidates and look forward to working with them to build a stronger City of Fairfax,” Stokes said in the committee’s announcement on Wedensday.

The committee said it evaluated candidates using publicly stated positions, records in office when applicable and alignment with Democratic values.

Its evaluation rubric included 10 equally weighted categories, according to the announcement. Among the subjects considered were affordable housing, diversity and inclusion, the environment and relationships with local and state government partners.

The recommendations were determined through established scoring and committee-voting procedures, the committee said. The announcement did not provide candidates’ individual scores or voting totals from the committee.

Candidates Appear As Independents On Ballot

Although all Fairfax City candidates appear as independents on the ballot, Fairfax City Democrats have endorsed candidates in the two previous city elections and handed out campaign flyers outside the polls. At the same time, other groups have handed out candidate lists without any political affiliation.

Active duty service members and U.S. Defense Department employees are prohibited from running in partisan raises. Independent elections allow them the opportunity to participate in their local community as an elected official.

In 2022, the organization supported Catherine Read, who became the city’s first woman elected mayor, and Billy Bates, who became its youngest City Council member.

These are the local candidates appearing on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

Mayor

• Kirsten Sides Lockhart
• Thomas D. "Tom" Peterson

Member City Council

• Stacy R. Hall*
• Rachel M McQuillen*
• Anthony T. Amos*
• Sandi W. Slappey Brown
• Kelly M. O'Brien
• Russell A. Jones
• Stephen S. Kim
• Susan Hartley Kuiler
• María José Padmore
• Steve S Chang
• Jessica L. Lough

Member School Board

• Carolyn S. Pitches*
• Amit Sarah Hickman*
• Kristina M. Cecere*
• Sarah M. Kelsey*
• Lauren A. Bartelme*

* Incumbent

Committee Backs School Sales Tax

The committee also endorsed a proposed 1 percent sales tax appearing on the fall ballot for Fairfax City voters.

Stokes said revenue from the tax would help pay for renovation and construction projects at Daniels Run and Providence elementary schools, as well as the city’s middle and high schools.

“This supports the already-passed bond referendum,” Stokes said.

The committee’s accompanying voter guide tells residents to vote “yes” on the school sales tax. It also recommends “yes” votes on three numbered measures that the guide describes as protecting reproductive rights, protecting marriage equality and restoring voting rights.

The City of Fairfax Democratic Committee describes itself as an organization that supports Democratic candidates and encourages civic participation among city residents. The voter guide states that it was paid for and authorized by the committee and was not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

In other races, the guide supports the reelection of U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw.

Warner is facing Republican challenger Bert K Mizusawa, who won his party's endorsement in the Aug. 4 primary. Republican Arthur Purves and Green Party candidate Dianne Blais are running to unseat Walkinshaw.

How To Vote

Early in-person voting in the Nov. 3 election runs from Sept. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 31. Fairfax City Hall will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays. The polls will also be open for two Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as two Sundays, Oct. 18 and Oct. 25, from 12 to 5 p.m.

The deadline to apply for a by-mail ballot is Friday, Oct. 23. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. The deadline to register or update registration information is also Oct. 23, at 5 p.m.

On Election Day, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Additional information is available online.