Arlington Delegates and Local Elections: Announcements and Updates

Arlington delegates McClure, Hope, and Lopez announced re-election bids post legislative session. In the School Board race, two candidates will compete for a position, and Young Republicans have elected new leadership for 2025. Upcoming election deadlines and primary votes are essential for candidates.

Last week, Arlington’s delegation to the House of Delegates officially announced their re-election bids. Delegates Adele McClure (D-2), Patrick Hope (D-1), and Alfonso Lopez (D-3) made their intentions clear following the conclusion of the legislative session during the Arlington County Democratic Committee meeting on March 5.

Delegate McClure emphasized, “There is still so much to do, especially now… every person in this room knows exactly what we are up against.” Delegate Hope, seeking his ninth term, stated, “I’ve delivered for Arlington and I know how to get things done.” Lopez expressed that he had championed Arlington values, saying, “There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people. We need to create more prosperity and do it in a way where everyone wins.”

All seats held by these delegates are strongholds for the Democratic Party, positioning their nominees as likely winners in the general election. Currently, McClure and Lopez face no competition, while Hope has a challenger, Arjoon Srikanth, who emerged on February 5.

The Democratic candidate filing deadline is April 3, with contested nominations resolved in a primary on June 17. Virginia’s Senate seats held by Sen. Barbara Favola and Sen. Adam Ebbin will not be up for election until 2027. Democrats hold slim majorities in the state legislature and are gearing up for gubernatorial races. Kip Malinosky stated, “We’re well-positioned to win. We need turnout, we need margin, we need to make sure we vote up and down the ballot.”

In the Democratic School Board race, two candidates, Monique “Moe” Bryant and June Prakash, will compete in caucus voting from April 19 to May 10. They announced their candidacies on February 5. The winner will likely move on to the general election on November 4, further solidifying the Democratic party’s chances, as no non-Democrat has won since 2003. Incumbent member Mary Kadera opted not to seek re-election, leaving her seat the only one on the November ballot.

In youth political movements, the Arlington-Alexandria-Falls Church Young Republicans elected new leadership for 2025. Daniel Turner was named chair, alongside vice chair Danielle Kochar, treasurer Vikram Prasad, secretary Brigette Maggio, and communications director Katelyn Stotzky, aimed at organizing efforts during the electoral cycle. Their next meeting is set for March 17.

Three delegates from Arlington plan to run for re-election, reinforcing the Democratic hold in the area. Various local races, such as the School Board, remain competitive, with only two candidates vying for the position. Additionally, the Young Republicans organization is poised to support its party in the upcoming election cycle. Deadline adherence and primary preparations remain crucial for candidate success.

Original Source: www.arlnow.com