Jessica Lough Targets Taxes, Spending In Fairfax City Council Bid

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City Council candidate Jessica Lough says responsible fiscal management is the most pressing issue facing city voters, arguing that officials should demonstrate they are using existing resources effectively before asking taxpayers to pay more.

“Residents want excellent services and schools and confidence that their tax dollars are being spent wisely,” Lough said in response to Patch’s 2026 candidate questionnaire.

Lough, a strategy and global operations leader making her first run for elected office, said she would push for a 10-year plan with accountability metrics, examine whether existing programs are producing results and account for long-term costs before the city makes new commitments. She also wants Fairfax to expand its commercial tax base to reduce the pressure on homeowners.

Lough is running for the Fairfax City Council in the Nov. 3 general election.

The other candidates running for City Council are Stacy A. Hall, Kelly O’Brien, Rachel M. McQuillen, Anthony T. Amos, Sandi W. Slappey Brown, Russell A. Jones, Susan Hartley Kuiler, Stephen S. Kim, María José Padmore, and Steve S. Chang.

Patch invited candidates to share their backgrounds, priorities and views on issues facing Fairfax City through its campaign questionnaire. Lough’s responses follow below.

Your Name

Jessica Lough

Position sought (mayor, city council, school board, etc.)

City Council

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Campaign Website

jessicaforfairfax.com

City elections are traditionally non-partisan and candidates must run as independents, according to both the city charter and the Code of Virginia. No party affiliation or "mark" will appear next to any of the candidates' names on the November 2026 ballot. Have you been endorsed by a recognized political party or have you aligned yourself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent, non-partisan candidates, including candidates running in other city races? Please check the answer that is most appropriate.

I have aligned myself with a group of candidates representing themselves as independent and nonpartisan.

Please elaborate on your answer to the previous question and explain how this will affect the way you will serve on the city council.

I’m running as a non-partisan candidate because the issues facing Fairfax aren’t Republican or Democrat issues; they’re community issues. Reducing the tax burden, creating safe neighborhoods, supporting our schools and local businesses, and managing growth responsibly shouldn't be informed by the beliefs of one party over another.

Local government works best when we start with the facts, listen to different perspectives, and focus on what will actually work for Fairfax. Good ideas can come from anyone and I will work every member of Council and residents, without viewing decisions through a partisan lens.

That’s the kind of leadership I will bring to City Council: collaborative, fact-based, and focused on results.

How does your status as described in the two previous questions help Fairfax City voters choose a candidate that best aligns with their particular political beliefs?

My responsibility isn’t to a political party. It’s to the people of Fairfax.

I try to be clear about where I stand on the issues that directly affect Fairfax that allows residents to determine how closely my priorities align with their own values and what they want for our community. Some of these issues include reducing taxes, making decisions about development AFTER resident input and data are incorporated, supporting schools and local businesses, and enhancing safety in our community.

Being non-partisan means approaching each issue with an open mind, looking at the facts, involving residents in decision-making, and listening to different perspectives to deliver practical solutions that serve Fairfax.

I hope voters will consider both what I stand for and how I will approach decisions on their behalf.

Family

Colin Lough, spouse (44); stepdaughter (age 15), stepson (13)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.S. and M.S. in Atmospheric Science, University of Michigan

Occupation

Strategy and Global Operations Leader

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Political Office

na

Why are you seeking elective office?

I'm running for City Council because I believe Fairfax deserves Council members who will listen to them, work respectfully with others, and make decisions based on facts. My goal is to protect what makes Fairfax special while preparing us for a strong and sustainable future.

I bring a mix of executive leadership, financial discipline, and a pragmatic approach to solving problems. Whether we are discussing development, transportation, housing, or the city budget, my approach is simple: look at the facts, talk with residents and business owners early, and focus on outcomes that benefit our community.

Listening is only the first step. The valuable work is taking what you hear, pairing it with real data, and integrating it to make win-win solutions. Public input can often feel like a box-checking exercise after a decision is already made- I want residents to know their feedback shapes the final outcome.

The single most pressing issue facing voters is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing Fairfax voters is responsible fiscal management. Residents want excellent services and schools and confidence that their tax dollars are being spent wisely.

I will bring greater discipline to how we budget and invest. That means building a 10-year plan with metrics to drive accountability, examine current spending and whether those programs are delivering results, planning for long-term costs (such as maintenance) before making commitments, and finding opportunities to operate in a more cost-effective way. Before asking residents to pay more, we should be able to demonstrate that we are using existing resources effectively and doing everything possible to strengthen the City's long-term financial position.

We also need to grow our commercial tax base so homeowners are not asked to contribute more every year. That includes evaluating why some commercial areas like Old Town aren't seeing the level of foot traffic businesses would like and being willing to pilot practical, measurable solutions. Whether the answer involves programming, marketing, parking, events, or all of the above, we should make decisions based on evidence and measure the results.

What approach should Fairfax City take to new development and redevelopment? What types of projects would you support or oppose, and how would you balance housing needs and economic growth with concerns about traffic, infrastructure and neighborhood character?

Fairfax's strong sense of community is one of our greatest strengths. People choose to live, shop, and dine here because it feels like a genuine, welcoming hometown.

Responsible development means preserving what makes Fairfax special while creating opportunities for businesses. Preserving that character isn't an obstacle to economic development; it's one of our greatest competitive advantages. I support redevelopment that complements our existing neighborhoods, encourages locally-owned businesses, optimizes underutilized spaces, protects green space, reduces the tax burden on residents, and creates a destination where people want to spend time.

I have an open mind about solutions because they should be shaped with by combining objective evidence with meaningful public engagement. That means starting by understanding the long-term impacts on traffic, infrastructure, public safety, neighborhood character, and our local economy before decisions are made and ensuring the residents and businesses most directly affected have a meaningful - and early - voice in shaping the outcome.

Growth and preservation are not competing goals. With thoughtful planning, early collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making, Fairfax can achieve both.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Many of us have similar priorities. What differentiates me is my professional experience and how I approach decisions.

Throughout my career, I’ve led complex programs, managed large budgets, worked across organizations with competing priorities, and used data to turn challenges into practical results. I will bring that same discipline to City Council.

I strongly believe that residents should be part of the decision-making process early enough for their input to actually shape the outcome. I will ask hard questions, look at ALL data (not just data that suits a particular outcome), consider the long-term financial and community impacts, and work collaboratively to find solutions.

I’m not running with a political agenda. I’m running to give the residents of Fairfax the voice they have earned and deserve.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

I wouldn’t characterize the City Council as having failed our community. Fairfax is a great place to live, and many people, including elected officials and City staff, work hard to make it that way.

However, I believe we can do better in how some decisions are made.

Too often, residents are brought into the process after significant work has already been done, rather than early enough for their input to meaningfully shape the outcome. I would like to see more transparency, earlier community engagement, and greater collaboration before major decisions are made.

I also believe we need a stronger focus on long-term fiscal discipline the produce measurable results against a strategy. With pressure on taxpayers, we should be evaluating whether our tax dollars are delivering the outcomes we all expect and whether there are better, more cost effective ways to accomplish our goals.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Beyond good governance and fiscal responsibility, my campaign is focused on the quality-of-life of residents.

I've heard our community say they want a stronger and more vibrant Old Town, with more foot traffic and an environment where local businesses can thrive.

Transportation and infrastructure are also priorities. We need safer streets, better walkability and connectivity, thoughtful solutions to traffic and parking, and proactive investment in the infrastructure our city will need in the years ahead.

I also want Fairfax to remain a safe, welcoming community with excellent schools, strong parks and public spaces, and community events that bring people together.

Ultimately, my focus is on making Fairfax work better day to day while planning responsibly for the city we want to be ten and twenty years from now.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Professionally, I’ve spent over 20 years managing complex programs in technology, operations, and sustainability for companies like Amazon, Meta, and Google. My job has always been about bringing teams together, handling large budgets, digging into complex data, and turning difficult problems into practical results. Every day I focus on listening to people, finding common ground, and getting things done. That is the exact mindset I will bring to City Council.

Outside of work, I serve on the board of Earth League International - a nonprofit dedicated to protecting endangered species from poaching and trafficking - and attend and speak at Fairfax City Council meetings. These experiences have shown me firsthand that local government works best when it is transparent, collaborative, and grounded in common sense.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Assume best intention.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want voters to know that I’m running because I care about Fairfax and believe I can contribute to our community.

I don’t have all the answers and not every issue has a simple solution. I will do my homework, ask questions, listen to others and be willing to change my mind when the facts support it.

Also See ...

• 6 Fairfax Candidates Team Up Around A 'Common Ground' Pledge
• Fairfax City Democrats Recommend Lockhart For Mayor, Four Council Candidates
• Fairfax City Voters Now Know November Choices For U.S. Senate